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Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Independence Day
By webmaster @ 9:38 AM :: 310 Views :: 1 Comments :: Rev. Peggy Funderburke

This week we are remembering America’s Independence Day. It is a time of reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of our foremothers and forefathers. At this time of the year I like to re-read our Declaration of Independence.

It is truly breath-taking in love and care for this new land and, at the same time, truly humble before God. I often wonder as I read the beginning of the second paragraph if these guys had any idea of the foundations they were laying for you and me:

“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 these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

I get chills and goose bumps as I read the final sentence.

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

These people were willing to pledge everything—their very lives, all their money and their honor to make this new country come into being.

I was in a coffee shop last week. As I sat down, I was immediately served a glass of water and given a menu. When I decided what I wanted I put the menu down and started looking around. I noticed a young black couple had sat down in a booth across from me. No one brought them glasses of water.

The waiter came back to me and took my order; he did not stop at their table. When my food was brought, they received their water and menus. When I left I told the waiter that I normally tip 20% but because the black couple had not received the same courtesy as I received; he would receive no tip from me.

We still have a long way to go in recognizing that all people are created equal. It’s been 232 years since the Declaration was written. How long will it take?

Comments

By Pamela @ Thursday, July 03, 2008 1:37 PM

I think the example of the waiter in the coffee shop is unfair. While I was not a witness to what happened, I can think of other reasons the waiter gave the black couple poor service, none of which had anything to do with their race. It could have simply been a situation of an inexperienced waiter. He didn't know how to multitask. He may have needed more support from a backwaiter to bring the water to the table. I really don't think he was treating the couple poorly because they are black. It's very difficult to work in restaurants. It's very easy to pass judgement from the outside looking in. Unfortunately, we all do it at times, pass judgement on someone or something we really don't know about. Making this waiter's poor service about prejudice is going too far and unfair to the waiter. Yes, we have a way to go before all people are treated equally and fairly. One thing I do in my life when I catch myself passing judgement on someone is I tell myself to "stop", I tell myself "don't pass judgement, you don't know this person, situation, don't be mean." It helps me to be more aware of what I'm doing and I find myself being less jugemental of others. It's a step toward being more respectful of other people and treating them fairly. Give the poor waiter a break, maybe he was having a bad day. We all have them. It doesn't mean he is a racist.

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