I have always prided myself on being a non prejudicial person. I have always held dear those words from the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That last part- the pursuit of Happiness- is what I feel makes us all unique Americans.
It was put there for a reason. And it's why I love this country so much.
Life- yes, we all should be able to live. (and universal health care with low medical costs would help sustain that...but that's a different diary)
Liberty- yes, we are a free society (OK- stop laughing- we do try to be)
But that pursuit of Happiness, what exactly did our Founding Fathers mean when they put that phrase in the declaration?
With all the 'rights' that have been quoted over and over again, nobody- and I mean nobody has the right to tell anyone how they should be 'pursuing' their happiness.
Whatever makes you happy. Whatever floats your boat. Whatever turns you on.
As long as what you decide doesn't infringe on my right to be happy, then do it. Go for it. Make it your life's goal.
This 'to each his own' mentality was brought home to me at a wake of a good friend. We knew he rode a motorcycle and owned a tattoo parlor, so in retrospect, I really shouldn't have been surprised (or shocked) at the people who showed up to pay their last respects.
Leather jackets, tattoos, piercings and chains. Everything you would expect from a motorcycle club. I sat there and watched as they consoled each other, mourning the death of their dear friend who was also a dear friend of mine.
Not my choice for how I live my life, but who am I to say it can't be theirs?
The real test of this "pursuit of Happiness" is not just finding your bliss, but in accepting that others can find theirs, too- even if it is the opposite of what you find comforting.
Years ago, I had a neighbor who was transgender. She was a delightful person, funny, helpful and not a mean bone in her body. Being her friend did not mean I had to become transgender- I only had to accept her for who she was.
One size fits all is not what America stands for. Individuality is what makes us who we are. I can agree with you on so many issues, but disagree on a few, and those 'few' shouldn't negate what we have in common.
Conservatives want the one size fits all. Think like I do, or else. Believe what I believe, or leave. Stand for my cause or be labeled "un-American".
Not what the Founding Fathers wanted for this country.
They came together as thirteen colonies- different ways of life, different points of view, yet managed to agree to become one nation-united in one cause.
At the end of one of her concerts, Barbra Striesand gave an amazing quote.
We are all equal, but definitely not the same.
That's America.