“Living in His Dream”

            No one reasonably expected for the road to be easy.  From the point of embarkation on this path to equality and unity the journey was arduous.  In many ways, the different origins of the different avenues on this common path began under, arguably, some of the most controversial circumstances.  Whether the origin was slavery, Jim Crow or indentured servitude the difficulties existed from each respective beginning.  No one reasonably expected for the hurdles to be any easier to leap. 

Perhaps many thought that there was no journey, but that a brighter day for their posterity was but a far-fetched conjuring of implausible faith.  One might even venture to assert that even the progressive visionary who dreamt of equitable opportunities in the Americas never expected for the United States to go from slavery in 1607 to voting in an African-American President.  The 400 year journey would have its obstacles, indeed.

For a great many people throughout the western hemisphere The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas means more than equal rights.  Citizenship should bear a sense of protection.  Your government should safeguard its people against unlawful and unjust actions by a foreign government.  Citizenship should offer a feeling of pride. 

Some halls at the University of Maryland were utterly filled with cheers when the Brazilian flag was flown at the Olympics.  Citizenship should present a feeling of possibilities.  A single-parent Black family of four, in Washington, DC spent nearly a decade below the poverty line and receiving public assistance.  Two of them have since obtained college degrees and opened their own business and the other two are finishing their degrees and contributing back to their community. 

Citizenship means equal opportunities. 

The Canadian government owes its citizens the reassurance that they are all equal, and it will continue to commit resources to ensuring that discrimination against ones ascribed attributes is prohibited and fully prosecuted.  Moreover, three hundred million American citizens worldwide deserve to stand tall this very day and exclaim that there is nothing that we cannot do when we are unified.

Black History Month is not simply an observation of the achievements of African-Americans. 

Additionally, it is a celebration of the unity and progress of America – the reverence that is due to the leaders in politics, the activists in the communities, the pioneers in the workforce, and to the heroes in the combat zones.  It is about offering respect to those that have given, quite literally, everything that was ever precious to them for something that they believed was even more valuable than their own life. 

For as Soldier, Sailors, Marines and Airmen we have an intimate knowledge of those who have fought, bled, and died for the rights of all Americans – some were as close to us as brethren.  We, as warriors, understand the price of the liberties that are enjoyed by every American; however, not all of the battles were fought on foreign soil and they were not all fought against foreign enemies.

Has the quest been completed? 

Arguably, there is still much work to be done.  Yet, as a world leader and a symbol of prominence, liberties and opportunities the United States has taken quite a quantum leap towards being an example of how anything is possible for anyone.  Throughout the Americas a new standard for citizenship may arise and for them, perhaps equality is much more within reach than previously projected.  Worldwide, 6.5 billion people discovered major history unfold, and for them, in some way hope is kindled and suddenly not so far-fetched.  We are only asked to give what we can.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill

SGT Robert Bandy, Headquarters, Task Force 34
1 February, 2009