Can the country be united?
We've had a very divisive election campaign. Though the expected winner did not win, we now have a President Elect who has stated that he is for all the people and will work to unify the country. Hillary Clinton was gracious in her consolatory speech in working with Trump. Likewise, President Obama has encouraged a peaceful transition of the presidency.
Yet, this is the first time we have ever had protesters refuting the election results by walking onto streets and freeways and blocking the rights of others. Some protests have even rioted and assaulted Truman supporters.
Certainly, many Democrats are hurt and upset with the unexpected results, much like the Republicans felt when Mitt Romney lost in 2012--yet, no one protested or reacted uncivilly. Instead, they reluctantly accepted the results and worked within our political system to win the Senate in 2014. This is how our political system has worked since George Washingtion was elected as our first President.
Certainly, we all have a right to protest and we can be outspoken, but we need to be civil to be effective in communicating with others. Non-peaceful protests resulting in street and highway blocking, overturning vehicles, breaking store windows, setting fires, etc. antagonize those affected by the above antics rather than uniting everyone. Martin Luther King was successful in changing society by having peaceful, organized protests. We all need to learn how to protest peacefully.
"Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace" ~.Martin Luther King, Jr.
Frank S. Adamo is a writer and blogger. He is also the founder of Embrace Our Heritage, an organization dedicated to reuniting families through family stories, modern technology, and support. Frank also assists others to create Living Legacies for their loved ones and their future generations.
