Send me an invite for Discord! monk@anchorwind.net

America is greater than the sum of its parts.    At times, this can be difficult to see, as everywhere we turn we are consistently reminded of our imperfections.  Sometimes it is easy to get lost in those striving to restrain the progress of our already-great country.   Then,  as is often the case,  we grow weary of relitigating every step that brought us here and we are forced to put it down and step away.   Invisible, then, becomes all but the negatives we were focused on, and with it the perspective we need to soldier on.

America, if anywhere in human history, is diversity personified.  Our roots trace back to every corner of the globe:  African, Asian, European, Latin, Indigenous,  and a wonderful plethora of others that may not neatly fit into the aforementioned groups.   We incorporate these parts and make ourselves even greater still.   In turn,  our vast and assimilated culture gives back to the world that helps make us.   Our media is consumed by a hungry global audience,  our politics and policies discussed by citizens of other countries,  and our sports inspires young athletes well beyond our shores.   We continue to grow and change with the world, as we are very much a part of it and increasingly more so in our interconnected world.

Our progress is not, and has not been, a smooth ride.  America has a clearly defined center of power:  the White, Christian, Heterosexual, Native-Born, Wealthy, Male.  For much of our history,  this center of power has maintained dominance over much of the country as a whole:  socially, politically, economically, et al.   That center of power was virtually the only seat at the table.  However,  we have the biggest table in the world and we have been, and are still trying to bring more seats in.

From the Marches in Salma, Alabama in 1965 to the Women’s Marches of 2017 we continue to bring more seats to the table.    From Occupy Wall Street, to the Standing Rock Protests, we continue to bring more seats to the table.    Pride Parades,  Immigration Airport Protests, and celebrations of all of our unique cultures help us to continue to bring more seats to the table.    While we encounter resistance with each step,  especially from those in the center of power,  we continue to show ourselves and the world that America is for us all.

When we are dealing with people, often in or near the center of power,  who have had their fears regarding their seat at the table exploited, it is important to remember that while we are trying to bring in seats for everyone theirs isn’t being diminished.  Equal seats for an equal America, one that works for us all.  A robust and rich country, filled with the hopes and dreams from seeds far and wide.    An America that leads and absorbs.   An America that reminds us all, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

 

(Note: VA Arts Show 2018 Gold Medal Winner – Essay, Inspirational)

(Note: VA Arts Show 2018 Judge’s Award Winner)