Psst…Psst…!! What Ever Happened To “America, The Beautiful?”🇺🇸
Anyone who knows me know that I have been a fan of NPR News for many years.
Recently, as I listened to the Morning Addition, the story captured the sentiments of Americans who were bewildered by Election results:
Rhetoric such as, “some people just like being mad…”
OR, “It’s all a sham…!”
And,
“Elections don’t heal people’s hearts.”
All of which reminded me of the importance of the awesome words of the song, “America, The Beautiful.”
Growing up in rural Texas — in the early sixties — and attending an all-Black elementary school — we were taught the song, “America, The Beautiful.”
I don’t remember learning the entire song.🤭
We sang it during various sports and other recreational activities. Singing the words of the song not only jump-started our day, but also gave us hope for a bright future!
When the late, great RAY CHARLES sang his rendition of “America, The Beautiful” — tears always welled up in my eyes. I felt love in my heart. America was our home and we were taught to love our country!
This song — along with the Star-Spangled Banner — were somehow spellbinding. They were words that pierced our hearts with undeniable pride.
Even as children, we were proud to be Americans!🙋🏽♂️🙋🏾♀️
Here are the first and third stanzas that Mr. Charles sang:
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
WE WERE TAUGHT TO MEMORIZE THE PREAMBLE
In case you, too, have forgotten those words that ignited such patriotism in our little hearts — here it is:
THE PREAMBLE
We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United State of America.
…INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY
Will somebody please tell me what in the world is ‘domestic tranquility’? 🤔👽
Well, I looked it up🙃
Historyplex.com explains it this way:
“ To ensure that peace, calm, and law and order coexist at the same time.”
Well…it is questionable — at times — whether or not our government is able to “insure” the citizens that peace, calm, and law and order can coexist.
It is obvious that our government can not instill certain values in the hearts of people.
Basically, a person is going to espouse the values he or she were taught as children.
And, what they were taught was dependent upon the family’s belief system.
Maybe the family recognized and believed in a higher Being.
Perhaps they believed in the Golden Rule: “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
And, from the Believer’s point-of-view, “be kind to one another; forgiving one another.”
Yes, I understand the nontraditional threats to America’s National security such as chemical warfare, nuclear war, drug trafficking, terrorism (and the like) that threatens our well-being.
But, settling our disputes here at home — with our neighbors — should be second-nature.
In 1987, Americans celebrated the 200 anniversary of the Constitution of the United States.
Americans rededicated themselves to long-held values of personal freedom, individual rights, and human dignity.
Was it idealistic and naive to believe that we could genuinely pursue happiness, peace, and prosperity in these United States of America?
Could it be that the words of the Preamble were just a compilation of empty ideals formed by the political and religious orators of the times?
And, what about eliminating injustices and inequities in our society?😱
Did these values illuminate in the minds of these leaders as a temporary fix to the existing problems of their time?
Pray tell. I hope not! The times may change , but people don’t!
…SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY
All men are created equal by the Creator.
The Creator intended for all men to have certain rights and freedoms.
But, each individual has to be proactive in ensuring that his rights are protected and promoted.
Yes, we are guaranteed free speech, freedom of religion, etc., in America.
Freedoms I hope we will always enjoy.
Too, all of us are entitled to our opinions. However, let us desire to have ‘good’ opinions.
It is all about ‘choice’.
And, I believe we can ‘choose’ to be more tolerant of each others’ viewpoints.🤝
Today, as a widow, I am raising a teenager. This is, in itself, quite an awesome task!
In the midst of all the social and political unrest — not to mention the Pandemic — I have to always be cognizant of what I’m teaching him.
What really matters is our respect for each other (as human beings) — whether Democrats, Republicans, Independents or otherwise.
President Obama once expressed that, “people can be encouraged to have more civility in public life.”
President-Elect Biden said, “ we are all Americans.” It doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat!
And to make my point…
The late, Senator John McCain put it this way,
“Our shared values define us more than our differences.
And acknowledging those shared values can see us
through our challenges today
If we have the wisdom to trust in them again.”
I trust we are all proud to be Americans and thankful to live in a country — in spite of its faults — such as America!
Just so I don’t sound too hypocritical, I, too, have vivid memories of the 2000 Presidential Election.
I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when Al Gore lost his bid for the Presidency. I also felt anger. I felt hurt!
But, eventually, I moved on and so did the rest of America and the world!
Through all of this social, political, and socioeconomic distress, I work hard to keep my perspective.
I try to stay mindful that I am raising a young person. A young person to:
First, love God. Next, to be thankful that we in live in a country that allows us to pursue our dreams.
Here’s the thing
What do we have to lose by “working at being civil” to each other?
Maybe, our false pride?
Perhaps, face ridicule for being nice to someone of color?
I believe we can do better and pray that we will do better.
The ability to love and respect each other is still within our reach.
I still believe in the words of the song, “America, The Beautiful.”
I believe in the values inherently expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States.
Lord knows we gotta’ a lot of work to do! 🙄
But, “inch by inch” — we will get there.
We are ONE AMERICA! 🇺🇸
Let’s demonstrate that American spirit again — the world is watching!👀
