The Making of America (or The Breaking Thereof)

Over two hundred years ago the first Europeans came to this land called America and they colonized it. They came here seeking freedom and a better life. They came here filled with hope for a new beginning. When they arrived they found out they were not alone. There were people already living here and this was their Country, their home and they were a diverse people with different backgrounds and ideas of how things ought to be and the one thing they held most dear was freedom. Yes, I’m talking about the Native American. The Native American was different than the European Colonist. He didn’t dress the same, look the same; he had different beliefs and concepts and he spoke a different language but he was living well and comfortable and for the most part got along with his neighbor, respecting his neighbor’s rights too.

When the first European settlers arrived they were welcomed and treated with respect and kindness by the people already here. They shared the land and the bounty thereof. They learned from each other and lived in peace and prosperity; then things changed. More Europeans came, and more and more and people began arriving from other lands as well. They wanted to change America and the American way. The push and shove began. People became bitter and angry, jealous and prejudice, not just toward the Native American but towards each other and their varying beliefs, even among so-called Christians and we began fraying at the seams. Because of this almost 100 years after America became a nation; The United States of America was nearly torn asunder. My rights, my rights, my rights became the common cry and few were really concerned about the common good; what is best for all of us as a whole, a untied family, one; our rights equally; the liberty and freedom we had fought so hard to attain. Jealousy and prejudice raised its ugly head. Why must history continuously repeat itself? Can we not learn; will we not learn from past mistakes?

I love America. I can’t think of a better place to be living anywhere on this planet but America is in trouble, big trouble and far too many of us still have our head in the sand; apathy reigns. “This too shall pass,” seems to be a popular saying. Maybe we better think again before we find out we overslept and didn’t hear the alarm clock. The alarm clock is ringing, wake up. Time is running out. History is once again repeating itself because we have refused to learn.