July 4th is coming and I have to tell you I shared with my wife and son that I am not proud to be an American right now. Granted I am proud of the freedom, country and most importantly, the armed forces! My Grandfather Woodrow Wilson was shot in WWII protecting the United States. I am sad, embarrassed, an in some ways disgusted by what we become the last couple years. We have a President who does not know what he is doing, not let alone is very unprofessional and disrespectful. We have a bully running the United States. People are hurt, and politicians are telling people to go ahead and be rude to people you do not believe to be where they are. Ok, we reserve the rights to refuse service. Starbucks may have sparked this by refusing service a gentleman. They also paid the price: the company shut down for several hours, and every employee went to training. During that time, they lost business money and paid for the training and employees time. It still does not pay the damage to the innocent person. In another incident, Press Secretary Sanders was refused service at a Restaurant just because she works for the Trump Office. I was furious when that happened. I am not a Trump person, but when people are not working, people are looking for a place to shop, eat and relax with colleagues, and friends. She still had every right to be wherever she wanted to be. She is a human being like you, and I are. From that point on, Representative Maxine Walters supports and encouraged people to not only voice your beliefs and exercise them by refusing service. So now we’re going back to being bias and maybe prejudice by not allowing people service by convictions, etc. I no longer support U.S. Representative Maxine Walters. She knows better than that. Very disappointed in her.
The most disgusting part right now that bothers me is the family separation. I am not going to get into immigration crap. The fact that we did the most inhumane thing makes me cry, disgusted and even have sleepless nights. I know I cannot control this. It is still the American responsibility, or at least I thought, to never perform inhumane actions such as taking a family apart! On top of this Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen had no established procedure in place. Parents have been sent back to Guatemala, and another place without their children and more than 2,500 children are all over the place. The psychological is so severe; therapy might not even be possible. And now reports indicate many of these children will NEVER see their families ever again. (I am in tears as I am writing this) If there was some system in place, we could have reunited these children. But no, Nielsen FAILED her job. Being Homeland Security is one thing, it is another to remember we are dealing with people, human beings. Remember when those damn fireworks are going off. They may terrify the children because they have no idea what they are for and why should be happy? This is the worse time of their lives.
People, remember America would not be America without immigrants. WE ARE ALL immigrants. We are ancestors of immigrants. The only “real American” are our Native Americans who were here before us. Remember New York as being the harbor immigration? Remember how Statue of Liberty became erected. Those were all results of immigrants coming over to live a new life, share cultures, and arts.
Many of you who know me, music has always played a role in my life. I have a profound hearing loss, listening to music is so important to me. Music is my therapist, my healer, study mate, and my friend. I shard with you how music heals or help us get over hard times. As we approach the 4th and I am trying to be an American (it will take time for me to be a proud American), one of the most precious and classic album is done by Leontyne Price, in her 1990 recording of patriotic songs so beautifully with a powerful orchestra and choir. Sony Classical (formerly RCA Gold Seal and RCA Red Seal) released God Bless America, with Leontyne Price, National Philharmonic Orchestra with Charles Gerhardt at the helm.
Leontyne Price has been my Mom and my favorite mezzo-soprano (next to Jessye Norman). But this album is a bit different. She sings the different songs an hymns with emotions and seriousness like no one else can. So before having those picnics and watching fireworks, take some time to listen to this marvelous recording, and it will give you a bit to think about. It is available on CD and Digitally from Amazon, Apple iTunes/Music, and Google Play. The best recording, of course, is on vinyl which I still have!
Please have a safe July 4th. Enjoy time with family and friends. Let the professionals do the fireworks and save your money (and limbs).
Tech & Ed Coach 