By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
I suspect the above question has some moral underpinning to it. The subject for some is touchy, and a bit uncomfortable.
Answering it in some way gives you a perspective on what’s important. The United States of America is a strong and powerful country. When you are strong and powerful, do you need to show it?
Some believe that you should show off your prowess and might. I guess the expression, “I’m big and I’m bad” comes into play here.
Maybe that was the reason behind the parade held in Washington DC on Saturday, June 14th. It celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Army.
Others would say that ego and narcissistic behavior had a great deal to do with having the parade. Showing off for other people makes some people’s day. That’s just the world we live in these days. In clear and undeniable assertions, our leaders were saying our military might is the greatest on earth.
Will there be a military parade next year. I don’t know if anyone has the answer to that question. At best, we can only speculate.
As armored tanks were rolling and troops were marching down the streets of our nation’s capital, people were going without the basic essentials for daily living.
What is our country’s priority? Is it showing our might or showing our mercy? Is it being callous or is it being caring? We have different answers to those questions.
The report on the number of people in this country that go hungry and suffer from not having food to eat is frightening but a cold reality. A confirmed report says approximately 47 million people are suffering from lack of food. How can that be? It isn’t for the lack of resources.
This number includes almost 14 million children who go to bed hungry each night. This is sad and painful.
Now with the current leadership, food agencies are being underfunded. My opinion is that humanity and empathy are not subscribed to with the new group in Washington DC.
The proposed budget that hasn’t been passed yet has the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) receiving an 11.5 percent cut. The Senate will be voting in the coming days on the budget.
The parade statistics reported by a White House spokesperson said approximately 250,000 people were in attendance. However, there were demonstrations in Washington DC that railed against the parade. It was called a no kings parade by some participants. I suspect we know what that meant.
Events are occurring in this country that are troubling and scary. For example, ICE continues to show up across the country. They went to Dodger Stadium last week but were denied access.
Globally, America bombed sections of Iran on Saturday, June 21st. The commander in chief called it a success. However, some military leaders are giving a more reasoned response.
The reactions have been mixed to this attack. Many are wondering whether we will be at war in the coming weeks. Speculation is running high because of the ramifications of war.
This country is reeling now because new policies have brought on consternation and confusion. From day to day, we are usure about what is going to happen.
Depending upon what stage of life you are in you have a different reaction. If you are in the 4th quarter or in overtime, you are probably glad that you are on the way out so you won’t feel all the consequences of what might happen.
If you are about to retire, you are afraid because you are unsure about Social Security and your retirement funds. If you are locked in the workforce, you are fearful of losing your job because of the current climate. However, no matter what stage of life you are in, apprehension is a commonality for each of us. So here we are America bothered and filled with anxiety.
James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D. is a long-time educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
