Unsung and Virtually Unknown Heroes
Every movement for Social Justice, in the United States of
America, has had heroes. Most of them
are quite well known, celebrated by most, vilified by small hateful
groups. But, we all know who they
are. Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther
King Jr., etc.. Part of history. In all the books. Even moving down the ranks of others who were
equally brave, but never quite got the spotlight.
Tbis is not a blog where I’m going to get into deep history,
or a ton of research. Most of what I
will say, is just pretty obvious stuff based on rational thought and common
sense (I think).
Before anything can become real law, in this country, it has
to be written up as a Bill. It has to
circulate through lots of Committees and, sometimes, back cloakrooms of not
necessarily upright nature. Deals are made, quid pro quo’s, established.
Cigars and hookers and other slurry
activities take place. And then, … maybe
… just maybe it will be brought to the floor of the House or the Senate. Lot’s of debate and politicking will be shouted down the halls of Congress.
It has been compared to the making of sausage. You might love it or hate it, but you
definitely don’t want to see it being made.
The point of the spear,
however, must be held aloft, at some
point by somebody who is already
a member of the established governing body. Some
person who is a credited member,
someone whose career is on the
line, has to present this new Law,
as it were, to their fellow law makers.
THIS is, quite often a Senator or Congressman who, as near as I can
recall from a lot of reading of history, is just swept into the corner(s). Forgotten, mostly.
In short, to make real
changes, to make real progress in
any society, with the intention of righting
wrongs, there needs to be found an insider. A brave and strong person who is already there where the cause is to be taken up. I bring this
up only to say, “Sometimes the real hero we need, can often be someone we have
heretofore not seen.” And, it is possible this person may be from a group, a group that has espoused
beliefs directly opposed to the intent of the change. It CAN be a person, who through persuasion by
Ms. Anthony or Dr. King, suddenly becomes enlightened to the rightfulness of
the cause.
Every human being is flawed
in some way. EVERYONE! It is not
necessary to be politically in love
with the leader you need to bring about change.
You don’t even have to truly like
them as a person. Abraham Lincoln said,
or quoted, “A house divided cannot stand.”
And, history using the full scope of knowledge has shown us that Abraham
Lincoln was NOT a man without flaws.
Lincoln did a lot of things under
the table and in the smoky cloakrooms,
BUT he got the job done that needed
to be done.
I see our current situation, where a great country, a Great
Society, is coming undone – unraveling right before our eyes because too many good people, with good intentions, were convinced (through some truly insidious
manners) that because the object was
sort of shiny, that it was well
made. Like squirrels, what they thought
was a really big and tasty acorn turned out to be dried dog doo.
I’m just saying that the hero (savior) we absolutely need
right now, might be somebody from the enemy’s
camp who, in their heart, has had a change of heart. Those of us, who are so deeply disappointed
in the direction our country has recently gone, should be ready to support what
might be somebody we would never have thought of. If this person can turn the boat aright, from
the disastrous route it is taking, maybe we should give them a chance.
Last note: “The Caine
Mutiny” – it was not a big leap to recognize Capt. Queeg was loosin’ it when he
started rambling about “who stole the canned peaches (?cherries)!!”
