By Ray Cardello for February 1, 2022 Season 8 / Post 34

We would sleep better if we withdrew into our shells and tuned out all the negativity raining down on us. It would be so much easier to bury our heads in the sand. It would be so much easier to ignore the people reaching out to drag us down. We might feel better about ourselves if we tune out those who want to tell us how evil we are. I cannot be one of those people. I still believe there is light at the end of this tunnel. I still believe that this insanity around us is a phase, and the next one will be better.

We have weathered times like this before. We had lived through times when it seemed that logic and common sense had abandoned us. We survived the sixties and seventies when protesting was a way of life for some. Those protests were always about something that needed change—today’s protests are about changing us. It is far more personal today, and maybe why it is so emotional and draining. I still believe we are good people and not the racists and oppressors some say we are.

I still feel it takes parents to raise their children, not a village, especially when those villagers want to indoctrinate our children and turn them against us. I can only speak for myself when I answer the questions I have posed today. I care and I fight because I still see the good in people. I still believe in this grand experiment called the United States. I still think that we are strong enough to take the shots and come out the other side of the tunnel stronger and more united. I still have faith.

We begin Black History Month today. The idea of month-long celebrations to single out one group of society has always bothered me. I see these events as divisive and not unifiers. If I look upon Blacks as equal, and I do, then why do I need a month to sing their praise. If I look upon the LGBTQ community as equal, and I do, then why do we need a month to celebrate the life they have chosen to live? Just let them live. And let them let me live.

I wrote recently about one of our local department of education staff, and I still find his bio offensive. Is it necessary to label or identify himself as a black, Latinx, bisexual, cisman?. I would never describe myself as white, European lineage, heterosexual, male. I am a person and would hope to be accepted as such. When somebody strives for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, don’t labels on people negate their effort?

I will continue to care and fight to call out those working so hard to transform us into something we are not. As long as people, groups, and even political parties work to convince us we are living a lie, then I will work even harder to shine a light on the truth. I am not saying I am right and they are wrong. I am saying that history is on my side. For nearly 250 years, Americans have created a country that millions flock to every year. People die trying to come to America to enjoy the liberties and freedoms we offer to all. Let us not allow the minority to tear us down. We are still the shining light on the hill, and with God’s help, that light will shine bright for generations yet to come. In the meantime, let those who care and are willing to fight break their silence and rise to stand with us who have already joined the battle.

This article first appeared on thelibertyloft.com