This weekend the nation celebrated our 233rd birthday. The American dream was set in motion, the freedom seed was planted into the fertile soil of this young nation’s soul.
Langston Hughes, the brilliant American poet and author wrote a poem called "Freedoms Plow" which offered hope that even though this great experiment called American Democracy was not perfect yet, it was in process. Let me share just a few lines from Freedoms Plow.
America is a dream.
The poet says it was promises.
The people say it is promises-that will come true.
The people do not always say things out loud,
Nor write them down on paper.
The people often hold
Great thoughts in their deepest hearts
And sometimes only blunderingly express them,
Haltingly and stumblingly say them
And faultingly put them into practice.
The people do not always understand each other,
But there is, somewhere there,
Always the trying to understand,
And the trying to say,
“You are a man. Together we are building our land.”
America!
Land created in common.
Dream nourished in common.
Keep your hand on the plow! Hold on!
If the house is not yet finished,
Don`t be discouraged builder!
If the fight is not yet won,
Do not be weary, soldier!
The plan and pattern is here,
Woven from the beginning
Into the warp and woof of America!
My dear brothers and sisters, entrusted with the good will of those who elected you, we believe in you, and pray that you will be guided to rebuild trust and bring order back to the great State of California.
May the God of Order and Peace be with each of you chosen to guide the destiny of our great state`s citizens and industry. May the God of Wisdom and Understanding imbue you with the humility to listen to reason, and the courage to act in the best interest for all concerned. May you work in harmony with one another, as you blaze a new road to a bright future for all our people. We have faith in you and ask this in the name and through the power of All that is Good, Sacred and Holy.
Om Shanti, Shalom, Salam, Peace.