I lived in South Africa just 5 short years after the fall of the apartheid government. Upon learning that I was going to move to South Africa I began researching the country and it’s current events. I was moved at that time by the following two quotes from President Nelson Mandela’s inaugural address:
“The time for the healing of the wounds has come.
The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come.
The time to build is upon us. “
“We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success.
We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.
Let there be justice for all.
Let there be peace for all. “
– Nelson Mandela: Inaugural Address, May 10, 1994
Yesterday the world watched as we as an American people cast our votes in a very historic election. With the results of the Presidential race now solidified and with many of the local issues coming down to the wire there is certain to be a lot of emotion.
In all of the turmoil around us let us remember that we are one people. We are Americans. As Americans we believe in individual rights and among those rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. One great thing our nation offers is the freedom to pursue happiness through our freedom of speech. Surrounding us every day are people with different opinions. We must maintain and show respect for each other now more than ever. If we are to remain united as a Nation we must first be united as a people.
Two points from Senator John McCain’s concession speech:
“Let there be no reason now … Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.”
“I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender.
We never hide from history. We make history.”
And a couple from President Elect Barack Obama’s Victory Speech:
“Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.”
“As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends… Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” And, to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too.”
Let us unite together in the commonality of hope. Let us acknowledge our friends and accept their differences with no malice. Let us move forward together leaving behind the tensions of the past.
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