america of americans

We were elated, many of us in our own manner and acting out our own machinations, at the news that a villain who destroyed the lives, livelihood and loves of Americans was captured and killed. For some, his quick execution was like an elixir and dancing in the streets, shooting pistols and spontaneous spasms of the singing of the national anthem were witnessed and worn. For some a moment of silence and remembrance of those we lost was embraced and for some, reflection of an unimaginable instance enveloped us and smothered our emotions and once again we took pause.

Whether we were right, correct or morally moved, dismayed, desensitized or delayed in understanding what just happened, most of us found the time to think aloud, in a group as a collective and look at our history and either in awe, angst or anger stopped and shared this America with Americans. We faced a past living in the present and for a brief moment found our future solid and sure.

And then that moment passed and some of us found our boulevards traveling to the far right or the remote left, replacing respect with revenge, fortitude with frenzied xenophobia, collective with more for me and less for you, and united with if they are not like us they are not one of us. And we were no longer Americans celebrating America, but enemies finding dissent and disarray as the definition of democracy and decency.

In a country as great as ours defined by a people who have the will to keep it great, somehow we seem to ignore what it is we have in common and harp on why we must be different. We use the crutches of religious zealots insatiable appetite to blame, the lack of self realization, the fear of others greatness as our reason for mediocre, and ignorance of fact to fan the flames of hate bias and bigotry. We relish the irrationality of lies to justify our own insecurities and never want to own up to our own responsibility for change...change inclusive of all.

We have moments in the history of this nation where we can state the time, day, weather, and location of where we were, what we felt and what we shared when crisis, chaos, joy or jubilation overcame most of us and embedded itself in a permanent psyche of all Americans. They were defining moments not only on a personal level but in such greatness as to provide a commonality for rich/poor, white/black, gay/straight, Republican/Democrat, religious/atheist, man/woman, corporation/union. And when we sang the Star Spangled Banner or God Bless America we shouted the lyrics to include ALL of us.

How does it happen that we can grasp at the fabric that makes America great and just as quickly let it slip from our hands and become void of our hearts? How does it happen we can be great, great enough for all of us to grow, and then suddenly become so lost in selfishness we are diminished in soul and conscience?

We have seen how we behave as Americans with one voice and how we behave when no one wants to listen to anyone else's voice. We have done it and know it is easier to try and oh so difficult not to.