Friday, July 4, 2008

July 4th! Freedom, Justice and Equality!


I want Freedom, Justice and Equality! I, I, I want it for you and I want it for me!
Gots to Give the People what they want! -The Mighty OJays!
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Philadelphia International Records

The Real National Anthem

Lift Every Voice and sing till earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies of liberty
Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea
Sing a song, full of the faith that the dark past has taught us
Sing a song, full of the hope that the present has brought us
Facing the rising sum of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod felt in the days when hope unborn had died yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet
come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come, over a way that which tears has been watered
We have come, treading out path through the blood of the slaughtered
Out of the gloomy past, till now we stand at last,Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast
GOD of our weary years, GOD of our silent tears
Thou Who has brought us thus far on the way
Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light
Keep us for-e-ver in the path we pray
Lest our feet, stray from the places our GOD where me met thee
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world we forget Thee
Shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand
TRUE TO OUR GOD, TRUE TO OUR NATIVE LAND!

James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosemond Johnson

America, We have two National Anthems, and we live still in two societies, still divided for multiple reasons. Race, Class, Religion, Sexuality, and Political views all show the dividing line clearly. This 4th of July take a moment and think about real freedom and real justice. Take time to remember those that have fought and sacrificed for it. Some wear the uniform and serve without question and some serve in the streets, classroom, courtrooms, hospitals and libraries, fighting for our right to think and believe as we each see fit. Each, faces the difficulties and sometimes derision of others to benefit the people.


Freedom, Justice and Equality are hard earned and must be maintained.
God Bless everyone, this fourth of July!


Be Mindful! Be Prayerful! Be Careful!
Jaycee

1 comment:

Ann Brock said...

Happy Independence Day too you. I believe Lift Every Voice speaks more to my America than The Star Spangle Banner or God Bless America.