When my Grandfathers and Grandmother came to the states, one of their proudest moments was when they could vote. To vote meant that they voiced their commitment to this country. To vote meant that they were responsible for this nation being all it could and can be.
We have built a culture that wants to win. That culture refuses to hear the voice of others and, in so doing, fractures society. Violence has been declared acceptable as 250,000 of our fellow citizens have died due to Covid -19. This win at all costs threatens the rights and health that should be shared by all of us. It is seen as a threat if you have what I have.
In the last few weeks, domestic terrorists using physical intimidation, shutting down political rallies. Legislation has been passed restricting votes—access to early voting to sabotaging the mail system and threatening to win by any means.
As a person of faith, I am called to welcome the stranger, in part, because we are all strangers. My ancestors were welcomed to this land, and we should follow in their footsteps. They came for safety, meaningful work, and to live in peace. For them, their lives did indeed depend upon it, not to win but to be at home.
Suppose you haven’t voted – VOTE. If you have, thank you. And if you haven’t because you believe it is a waste of time, your one voice might change a win at all cost fear into a shared and healing nation that welcomed all of our ancestors.
Journey well…
