This picture is a statue in Nashville’s Centennial Park. It celebrates the ratification of the 19th amendment which gave white women the right to vote. These suffragettes serve as a reminder that our right to take part in the electoral process is as a hard fought win and should not be taken for granted.
We live in a world that likes labels. We have been trained to put people in boxes or, more accurately, to choose sides.
Republican or Democrat.
Caucasian or Hispanic.
Cats or dogs.
Coke or Pepsi.
Every survey wants us to check the box that best describes ourselves. Every politician wants to villainize the other side.
You’re with me or you’re against me is the message I receive loud and clear from many of my Facebook friends.
Civility is a lost art. Tolerance for people who are different than us is no longer important.
People have become so preoccupied with criticizing anyone who looks or believes differently that we have forgotten something important.
Despite what divides us, we all are human and we all are Americans.
So whatever happens on this Election Day, I hope that we all can remember that.
Whether your candidate wins or loses, I hope that we can stop searching for the things that divide, stop giving platforms to liars and begin looking for the truth, for the things that unite us as humans and as citizens of this country.
Be kind to your neighbors. Be kind to people who are different than you. Give us a chance to heal.
To my American friends, if you haven’t done so, please exercise your right to vote. And to my international friends, if you are praying people and see fit, please pray for the soul of this nation.
Make the Journey Fun 