"There is not a black America and white American and Latino America and Asian America - there's the United States of America." Do you know who made that quote? It was during the 2004 Democratic National Convention, by our current President, Barack Obama.
No truer words could have been said, nor could I have said it any better. All 50 states of our nation are occupied by Americans of almost every nationality across the globe. In fact, a few states already have a higher ratio of minorities than white Americans. Our nation has become a "melting pot" of ethnicity and cross-cultural adversities.
Before one starts to base prejudicial thoughts or racial profiling, first consider a few facts. First, our continent's predecessors arrived here by crossing a land barrier between Asia and North America tens of thousands of years ago. These early inhabitants began their long journey from prehistoric Mesopotamia and North Africa. Second, if we all were to trace our ancestry back far enough, we would see we are natives of what is now the Mid East. And third, our more recent Ancestors arrived to this New World from every continent. We now inhabit the most diversified nation in the world.
Obama's statement eight years ago still sets the stage for millions of Americans, striving to live and work in an environment of diversity. One such workplace I am quite familiar with is IBM, here in Rochester, MN. This world-renowned company stresses the importance of diversity, and has no racial bias when it comes to hiring. Through Manpower Temps and other contractors, employees from all cultures work in harmony through teamwork. I have yet to see any discrimination amongst my fellow peers or managers. The company ranks at the top of my list of companies to work for. If only other businesses and corporations would follow in IBM's footsteps and allow cultural diversity to flow free throughout our nation.
Indeed, President Obama's 2004 speech signifies the truth that we are a nation of many ethnic groups. Fifty states of cultural diversity - a nation of many faces.
.......Just a Thought......
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Letters to my 3 Dads
Letter to my Foster Dad:
Wow, I can't believe it has been 45 years since I last lived at your house. I was really young back then, wasn't I? I don't remember much of my toddler years, but do recall a few special moments, like when I had my own pet calf. Remember when you used to crack the bull whip to scare us kids down at the barn? Or when I would ride along when you and the boys would be out baling. MaryLou and Janice remind me how sad you were the day I had to leave to go live with my new adoptive parents. But remember how happy you and mom were when I came to your 50th Anniversary, and I stood at the front of the church to tell my story of living there for seven years? Those were some very special years for me, which I will never forget. Thank you for taking care of me while I was in your home.
Letter to my Adoptive Dad:
Where do I start? You and mom were definitely loving, caring parents, but I always seemed to have a much stronger bond to you. While there was such a large age gap between us, you seemed to know how to relate to me, and would always take time to spend father-son bonding time with me. I will never forget all the times we spent together, teaching me how to drive, and how to shoot guns safely. You were always there to comfort me when mom would be angry with me. I missed you a lot when you passed away. I know you and mom expected me to take over the farm when you were gone, but yet, you seemed to know in your heart that I wanted to choose a different path in my life. For that, I will always be grateful of you. Thank you for being a part of my life as my dad.
Letter to my Biological Dad:
Writing you is perhaps the hardest thing I have done in a long time. We never met, and I know very little of you. Remember when I located you through a friend of mine, and you wished I hadn't found you? I had a hard time accepting your response and was heartbroken for several years. But I still hope to learn more about you and what your life on earth was like. No matter the results of my search, I will always love you because you are my dad. And because we have Finley blood, we are strong fighters. I proved that after birth, and am still fighting to be a man of good morals and character. Because of you, I will continue to live life to the fullest, and cherish all past memories. Thank you, dad, for giving me life. Perhaps one day we will eventually meet in Paradise.
Wow, I can't believe it has been 45 years since I last lived at your house. I was really young back then, wasn't I? I don't remember much of my toddler years, but do recall a few special moments, like when I had my own pet calf. Remember when you used to crack the bull whip to scare us kids down at the barn? Or when I would ride along when you and the boys would be out baling. MaryLou and Janice remind me how sad you were the day I had to leave to go live with my new adoptive parents. But remember how happy you and mom were when I came to your 50th Anniversary, and I stood at the front of the church to tell my story of living there for seven years? Those were some very special years for me, which I will never forget. Thank you for taking care of me while I was in your home.
Letter to my Adoptive Dad:
Where do I start? You and mom were definitely loving, caring parents, but I always seemed to have a much stronger bond to you. While there was such a large age gap between us, you seemed to know how to relate to me, and would always take time to spend father-son bonding time with me. I will never forget all the times we spent together, teaching me how to drive, and how to shoot guns safely. You were always there to comfort me when mom would be angry with me. I missed you a lot when you passed away. I know you and mom expected me to take over the farm when you were gone, but yet, you seemed to know in your heart that I wanted to choose a different path in my life. For that, I will always be grateful of you. Thank you for being a part of my life as my dad.
Letter to my Biological Dad:
Writing you is perhaps the hardest thing I have done in a long time. We never met, and I know very little of you. Remember when I located you through a friend of mine, and you wished I hadn't found you? I had a hard time accepting your response and was heartbroken for several years. But I still hope to learn more about you and what your life on earth was like. No matter the results of my search, I will always love you because you are my dad. And because we have Finley blood, we are strong fighters. I proved that after birth, and am still fighting to be a man of good morals and character. Because of you, I will continue to live life to the fullest, and cherish all past memories. Thank you, dad, for giving me life. Perhaps one day we will eventually meet in Paradise.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Modern Ghost Towns
Having lived around rural small town communities all my life, I have always had a vigilant eye on the dwindling decline of family-owned small businesses. No matter where you go, you see vacant business buildings wasting away on main streets, sometimes several in a row, turning entire city blocks into blighted eyesores.
Fifty years ago you could shop door-to-door for hours, walking down block after block, finding everything from fresh bakery goods to major home appliances. I remember when most small towns had department stores, several cafes, grocery stores, and even antique shops. Today, you are lucky to find a single bakery shop or a car dealership anywhere in the entire town. More likely than not, you will find corporate retailers or wholesale stores that have monopolized business in the community, nearly wiping out the family store owners.
Where has our society gone wrong? Has the development of economic prosperity changed that much, that it has replaced small businesses with the "Big Box" giants? How is it that companies, such as Wal-Mart, can walk into any small town's City Hall and claim to have a plan to "revitalize" the community with more taxes and jobs? What has happened to our "Small Town" values?
Fifty years ago you could shop door-to-door for hours, walking down block after block, finding everything from fresh bakery goods to major home appliances. I remember when most small towns had department stores, several cafes, grocery stores, and even antique shops. Today, you are lucky to find a single bakery shop or a car dealership anywhere in the entire town. More likely than not, you will find corporate retailers or wholesale stores that have monopolized business in the community, nearly wiping out the family store owners.
Where has our society gone wrong? Has the development of economic prosperity changed that much, that it has replaced small businesses with the "Big Box" giants? How is it that companies, such as Wal-Mart, can walk into any small town's City Hall and claim to have a plan to "revitalize" the community with more taxes and jobs? What has happened to our "Small Town" values?
When I Grow Up
When I grow up, I want to be a policeman. Remember those days? When we were little tikes, running around the house, tearing up every room, always dreaming about what we wanted to be when we grew up?
Well, I did want to be a policeman. I used to watch all the cop shows when I was young, dreaming I would be an FBI agent someday. Sad to say, I never made it to that level. Perhaps being 52 and suffering from arthritis has put a damper o my dream, but at least I gave it a shot.
Having failed at one goal does not mean I have not achieved other dreams. They say perseverance is critical to achievements. I would have to agree. I have always had lots of ideas and ambitions, only to have one after another knocked down over time. Yet, I keep coming up with new ideas, hoping I will one day become successful in something.
Oh well. As I always say, "Life goes on". Maybe when I grow up, I will be a successful writer........
Well, I did want to be a policeman. I used to watch all the cop shows when I was young, dreaming I would be an FBI agent someday. Sad to say, I never made it to that level. Perhaps being 52 and suffering from arthritis has put a damper o my dream, but at least I gave it a shot.
Having failed at one goal does not mean I have not achieved other dreams. They say perseverance is critical to achievements. I would have to agree. I have always had lots of ideas and ambitions, only to have one after another knocked down over time. Yet, I keep coming up with new ideas, hoping I will one day become successful in something.
Oh well. As I always say, "Life goes on". Maybe when I grow up, I will be a successful writer........
I can boldly say I am proud to be an American, a citizen of a free country. But have you ever taken the time to reflect on all that has transpired over the past 236 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed?
Consider the trials and tribulations our young nation went through prior to independence from England. Remember the brave families of the "Mayflower" Clipper that sailed the Atlantic and land at Plymouth Bay? Or, how about the Spanish explorers that first built Colonial Williamsburg? Do you think they came to this New World to seek freedom from monarchy and persecution?
Our Founding Fathers were men who came to America to seek a new life for themselves, their families, and their offspring that followed. Designing our Constitution was not an easy task. Many years of planning, drafting, and redrafting the new laws caused many debates and arguments between the Colony's leaders, finally settling on the foundation of our nation, followed by the Bill of Rights.
Without the loyalty of our forefathers to forge a new nation under a new government, we would not be free citizens. We have come a long ways since 1776. Indeed, I am proud to say I am a Patriotic American. Are you?
.....Just a Thought.
Consider the trials and tribulations our young nation went through prior to independence from England. Remember the brave families of the "Mayflower" Clipper that sailed the Atlantic and land at Plymouth Bay? Or, how about the Spanish explorers that first built Colonial Williamsburg? Do you think they came to this New World to seek freedom from monarchy and persecution?
Our Founding Fathers were men who came to America to seek a new life for themselves, their families, and their offspring that followed. Designing our Constitution was not an easy task. Many years of planning, drafting, and redrafting the new laws caused many debates and arguments between the Colony's leaders, finally settling on the foundation of our nation, followed by the Bill of Rights.
Without the loyalty of our forefathers to forge a new nation under a new government, we would not be free citizens. We have come a long ways since 1776. Indeed, I am proud to say I am a Patriotic American. Are you?
.....Just a Thought.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
While thinking about Juvenile Justice at work, I couldn't but wonder what the best solution to dealing with bullies in school would be. So many questions automatically pop up, complicating solutions further. What constitutes labeling a person as a bully? How do you distinguish the difference between bullying and harassing, or are they the same in certain situations? How does one quantify a satisfactory punishment or base various degrees of bullying?
These questions are only the tip of the iceberg for any individual responsible for handling school bullying issues. while victims suffer the greatest from such undue treatment, one needs to also structure a program to help rehabilitate the suspects. Are those who bully others past victims themselves? If so, were they bullied in school at an earlier age, or victimized at home by parents or other siblings, or perhaps from multiple sources? Where do we start the learning process? Shouldn't parents be more responsible for the child? What triggers a child to become a bully? Even more compelling, what causes a child to become a victim to such abuse?
We need to seek answers to both sides of the issues in order to reach solutions. What can you do to improve the issue?
These questions are only the tip of the iceberg for any individual responsible for handling school bullying issues. while victims suffer the greatest from such undue treatment, one needs to also structure a program to help rehabilitate the suspects. Are those who bully others past victims themselves? If so, were they bullied in school at an earlier age, or victimized at home by parents or other siblings, or perhaps from multiple sources? Where do we start the learning process? Shouldn't parents be more responsible for the child? What triggers a child to become a bully? Even more compelling, what causes a child to become a victim to such abuse?
We need to seek answers to both sides of the issues in order to reach solutions. What can you do to improve the issue?
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Prayer of a Tormented Child
Lord, why do people always pick on me? What did I ever do to deserve to be treated like this? There are so many days I wish I was dead. When I go to school, other kids slam me against the lockers, hurting my back. When I walk in the halls, guys walk by and knock my books out of my arms. If I try to get a drink from a water fountain, someone pushes my head down into the water. When I am in study hall, people throw spit balls at me. When walking anywhere, I am called bad names.
Why, Lord, can't I talk to my parents about how I feel? It seems like they are never around, or are "always too busy" to listen to me. When I try to talk to them, they say they don't have time, or if I do tell them what happened in school, they think I am making it up. Why can't grown ups understand the pain I am going through? Is it that hard to figure out I am not happy? Who else can I talk to that will listen to me? Why are you, Lord, the only person that finds time for me?
Last night I thought about suicide, Lord, as you already know. But I am glad I took time to talk to You and listened to You in my heart. I now realize that no matter how bad people treat me, life is too precious to waste at such a young age. I have too much to live for. I know from my experiences, I can try to make a difference to others experiencing the same problems as me. I know I have other friends who are mistreated as bad as I am, and they need an extra shoulder to cry on. I know it will be difficult to get through the next two years of high school if other kids continue to torment me, but I know with my faith in you, Lord, I will make it.
Thank you Lord for being there for me. I now know I will be a survivor. With Your help, I will be able to find a caring person to listen to me, and to help me get through this terrible ordeal. Without faith in you, Lord, I know I would not be here today. Thank you for loving me. Amen.
Why, Lord, can't I talk to my parents about how I feel? It seems like they are never around, or are "always too busy" to listen to me. When I try to talk to them, they say they don't have time, or if I do tell them what happened in school, they think I am making it up. Why can't grown ups understand the pain I am going through? Is it that hard to figure out I am not happy? Who else can I talk to that will listen to me? Why are you, Lord, the only person that finds time for me?
Last night I thought about suicide, Lord, as you already know. But I am glad I took time to talk to You and listened to You in my heart. I now realize that no matter how bad people treat me, life is too precious to waste at such a young age. I have too much to live for. I know from my experiences, I can try to make a difference to others experiencing the same problems as me. I know I have other friends who are mistreated as bad as I am, and they need an extra shoulder to cry on. I know it will be difficult to get through the next two years of high school if other kids continue to torment me, but I know with my faith in you, Lord, I will make it.
Thank you Lord for being there for me. I now know I will be a survivor. With Your help, I will be able to find a caring person to listen to me, and to help me get through this terrible ordeal. Without faith in you, Lord, I know I would not be here today. Thank you for loving me. Amen.
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