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MK 发表于 2008-11-18 21:19:00 |
We take it for granted that women can vote. We also take it for granted that all men, despite the color of the skin, should have equal rights.
Somehow once a while you will be reminded that less than a century ago neither of the above was granted in the United States. It’s amazing when you realize how much this nation has changed from the past within decades. I often criticize that US is no longer as great as it used to be. But the 2008 presidential election has shown the world, no matter how much you disagree with this nation’s policies and doctrines, no matter how imperfect it is, the United States of America is still one of the greatest nations (if not the greatest) in the world. It keeps the path open for every ordinary citizen to the top, even though that path is narrow and tough; it gives the nation’s biggest power to a 47 years old African American whose name sounds so alien; it allows its media and public criticize its men in power freely and sourly; it embraces a joyful liberal movement coming forth 50 years later after the last painful, sometimes desperate, war for freedom.
The world has not forgotten the blood that shed for those hard fought progresses in the history of freedom. Hillary Clinton reminded her audience in the concession speech to think of those kept on fighting until women could vote, and think of the civil rights heroes and foot solders who risked their lives to bring about the end of segregation and Jim Crow. When CNN announced Obama’s victory on the election night, one of the guest speakers cited the last paragraph of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech with tears in his eyes: He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain . And I have looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the Promised Land.
In an article published in the Wall Street Journal a week ago, Juan Williams looked back at the civil rights movement in 1961. He talked about a group of young freedom riders got on a bus from Washington D.C. to take a trip through Virginia and into the South. The bus was raided in Alabama. Riders were beaten so badly that some suffered brain damage. In a subsequent campaign supported by Robert Kennedy, the then-Attorney General, to challenge the segregations and the racists, three young men set out to the south and later were killed. There were more men and women chose to continue the unfinished journey.
In Dr.King’s most famous speech I Have A Dream, given in 1963 in Washington D.C., he painted a picture that all brothers and sisters, in all colors, shall see a more perfect nation. One day freedom shall ring from every mountain top. One day people will not be judged by the color of the skin but the content of their character.
He was assassinated in 1968; less than five years after JKF was shot in Dallas. Following the two giants’ deaths, there was another dark night in 1968. Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy, brother of JFK, was assassinated only two months later after Dr. King’s death during his presidential campaign. It was one of the darkest hours in American history. Courage, truth, faith and freedom were defended by blood and lives.
It is amazing when we, outsiders, go back to those times and cheer for a new age.
Yes, I have to admit that the United States of America is a great nation after all. It once again inspires the world by demonstrating that progress toward liberality and equality can be made. Just when the world starts to question on its ability and credibility as the leader of the free world, it proves that it can once again crow back from the cliff and leave us behind.
Let us never underestimate America and never underestimate the power of people. Let us, the Chinese, learn from our former rival and hold up our pride. We have a long way ahead. We are not there yet until the voices of people are heard and answered. We are not there yet until the lives of our citizens are secured and all the children can receive better education. We are not there yet until we provide equal opportunities to our people no matter where we are born. We are not there yet until we prove the world we are the source of inspirations and the centre of freedom.
No, we are not there yet. There is still a long way ahead.
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