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Patriotism and the Women's March

1/26/2017

10 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
Since last summer, the United States has been embroiled in politics at its worst. November 8th marked the election of our 45th president, and last week, millions of women marched to express their frustration over this fact.  It is about this drama that I write.

In the 1970s I lived in Japan for five years. I taught English, while practicing meditation and studying Tea Ceremony and Flower Arrangement. My daughter was born during those years.

One day two business men came to our home for their English class. They brought a book with them. It was a large coffee-table hardback volume with photos of ships on its cover. The three of us sat around a small table on the tatami mat floor. They opened the book to show me, page by page, all the U.S. ships Japan had destroyed during World War II. As they proudly pointed out one after another, I recoiled in horror. They saw victory where I saw my dad and uncles. For the first time, I consciously felt patriotism.

I grew up on a farm where the flag flew high each day. Dad was a veteran of WWII; mom was a Rosie the Riveter during the war. I remember the leftover ration coupons, the stories dad would tell, the fears of another war. Still, I did not feel patriotic until I was confronted with another person’s pride in their country.

Fast forward through the decades that include the Korean and Vietnam wars, that include my brother, my spouse and my cousins, that include the young veterans I worked with at a Southern California college, I can now say that I am very patriotic.

Returning to the women who peacefully marched last Saturday to strongly express their beliefs, I am so proud to be an American. My sentiments are not about our President, his selection of staff and certainly not about the elected officials serving in the House or Senate. My sense of pride lies in the fact that we can express our hopes and dreams.

I have no tolerance for thuggery – the destruction of property, violence against others – attributable to whatever cause. I have no respect for such behavior. It has nothing to do with our protected rights to express ourselves.

To the women who marched, thank you. To the men who accompanied them – in person or in spirit, thank you. To those who have voiced their support of our new President, thank you. To those who pray for the emergence of a more charitable, equitable, just country – thank you.

To all, who with pride and dignity, stand as free Americans to voice their heartfelt beliefs – peacefully – THANK YOU.  So many others do not have our freedoms.

May God bless these United States.
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10 Comments
Jan Sikes link
1/27/2017 05:32:45

Oh, Gwen! Thank you for expressing this so sincerely and eloquently. I am sickened at the growing hatred in our beautiful country and know that only LOVE can win and it does...every time!

Reply
Gwen Plano link
1/27/2017 17:42:44

I so agree, Jan. The divisions are heartbreaking...and like you, I believe only love can heal the divides. Thank you for visiting today.

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John Fioravanti link
1/27/2017 09:19:12

A beautiful post, Gwen! It struck me that your visiting Japanese businessmen were very uncouth in what they did. I wonder how they would have reacted if you had whipped out the 'after' photos of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I think I would have been angry enough to do that. You are quite correct, we must rejoice in our freedoms.

Reply
Gwen Plano link
1/27/2017 17:45:51

Thank you, John. I had to live in another country to realize my love for this country. Those who have not had this opportunity may think patriotism is something bad - when in actuality, it is something that unites. It's time for prayers ... for us all.

Reply
john howell link
1/27/2017 17:35:03

Gwen, this is the best essay on today's environment I have read yet. You have expressed my feelings better than I ever could. I think if everyone in the US would have the grace that you have expressed we would all be in a better place. I'm with you and I hope many more join your spiritual wish that God blesses these United States.

Reply
Gwen Plano link
1/28/2017 03:08:32

Thank you so much, John. We need to build, not destroy; repair, not break....as we collectively try to find our way. Blessings...☺

Reply
Bill Woelke
1/27/2017 22:53:13

Love you Gwen, You can change the world.

Reply
Gwen Plano link
1/28/2017 03:10:53

Thank you, dear cousin, so kind of you to visit this site. We Butters clan share a family heritage that can forge a hopeful future....amazing, isn't it. Love, Gwen

Reply
Susan Taylor
1/28/2017 09:23:42

Thank you for putting into words my thoughts and sentiments. You have a genuine understanding of why we have American pride. I lived in Cuba a short time in 1959 to 1960 as a child. I remember living in the beautiful country, the outgoing friendly people change to fearful and anxious, my relatives imprisoned and attempting to flee. We have history from my Cuban relatives and they are proud to be Americans.
It's that history I have lived and was sickened with the thuggery displayed and the crude responses to our recent political changes. I am an American and America is great.

Reply
Gwen Plano link
1/28/2017 12:22:50

Susan, you have a powerful story to share. Thank you for commenting on this blog. Much appreciated......

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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