When is racial prejudice going to stop in America?  We are all made in the image of God: white, black, red, brown, almond, and yellow.  We are all children of God, so why do we make disparaging remarks about each other’s color, race, creed, possessions, or talents?  Jesus Christ speaks to us in the same way.  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Luke 1:9)

Freedom of speech is being challenged by the president, and his party seems to accept his tweets as “the bad boy image.”  Last night, a block party in New York City ended in chaos with people being shot and killed.  Eighteen marines were arrested on Thursday for dealing in drugs and human trafficking.  Walk into any video store and see more violent and degrading movies than you ever expected to find, all of which can be seen by our children.  I looked through the newspaper this morning, and even the publisher couldn’t find many good things, humane actions, or hope to actually put in print.

I, for one American, am tired of all the negativity being espoused by our politicians, towns and cities, neighbors, and friends. Bob Dylan’s song, “The Times They Are A-changing,” is back in vogue but for what reason?  The sixties were turbulent years, but they pale in comparison to the twenty-first century years.  People in the sixties supported causes, but now, that support has become violent and vindictive.  I fear for my safety and my family’s.  My husband is gone now; if someone breaks into my home, all I have is my frying pan to protect myself.  Am I to go get a gun and become one of those gun-toting NRA people?  People can’t even talk about current issues for fear that someone will get upset and feel their feelings are not being validated.  Why are people so angry about everything and anything?

America has lost the light, the hope, and the love to even come close to what God intended us to be.  “Treat others as you would want to be treated.”  I may be the last person to bring my troubles to the cross, but I’m proud to be that person.  We are meant to be Christ-like, not devil-like, so that others will see the goodness of the world.  To quote my mother, “If you can’t say anything good or positive about a situation or a person, don’t say it.”  I was raised during the sixties, but I feel the twenty-first century has become far more divisive and violent than that time.  We need to get back to being hopeful, caring, and loving Americans.

And how do we do that, you say?  We come together as a nation, girded in our beliefs of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that all people are created equal.  Our founding fathers were religious people, who believed in the sanctity of life and who wanted America to be the beacon of hope for the world.  Let your lights shine, America; put God at the center of who we are.  Maybe then, all who come to our shores and borders will seek, knock, and find the love they are missing.

Anna Hartt