"Regenerate or Scorch," Choices in Liberty, Democracy and American Culture.

A bike path I frequent allowed me to see an illustration of the seasons that granted the inspiration raged about among elite artist. My thoughts were that of what I could see in the barren autumn. I trekked along the road and watched rolling hills and clear distances. Flash to the present and the crops along the road are in full bloom. Eight feet tall corn stalks command your attention, bounty soon at the disposal of its labors. I can’t help but think of the contrast that will exist come winter. Something almost seems unfair about the plenty that summer harvest provides, and the void created by winter. Fact is winter is natural and appropriate. For a healthy environment, winter serves to regenerate the land. Essentially, making way for old to coming back anew. Vintage and old school are vogue, many are in want of the best times of yesterday.

Like the seasons we hope for a regeneration and bloom. Especially in America.

Opportunity to pursue a good life is a universal ethos any rational mind can rally behind. Arguably, this single point has helped America’s claim as greatest nation. Many say the summer of America was during the times of, “the greatest generation,” and world war. When industry provided jobs and pride was high with military might and community cohesiveness. Even marginalized communities, such as in the Black community, experienced growth from intense experience such as poverty or social persecution from the system of white supremacy. Social issues have always seemed to be the source of energy that centralized group intelligence and direction. Like the sun to the seeds and spores, calling the natural act of maturity forth, summoning the internal code, what was inside all along. Like W.E.B Dubois stated of the issue of the 19th century being that of the color line, 21st century problems in America continue to be the color line.

Look at old school racism and prejudices as heirloom to current issues such as genetically modified topics like police brutality and political correctness. Suddenly when race is the common thread opinions split individuals on color lines. Police are sworn to protect and serve the public, yet when attacks are made, and foul is called, the public is deafened by their constituents among racial lines. Many ignore and fail to look at racial issues as black and white when it comes to a 2006 FBI Bulletin that details the threat of white nationalist and skinheads infiltrating police ranks for nefarious purposes. The hypocrisy is alarming, as this briefing that the highest police are marginalized, while the street police seem to be beyond reproach. For democracy to truly be more than just a word, this cannot be so. A draconian society of, “law and order” must draw lines of demarcation of right and wrong behavior. How deep is the line between free society and police state when police are judge and jury, in many instances, what is discovered to be without probable cause? The fact is, we all want judgement for others and justice for ourselves. The greatest threat to justice may be political correctness. In social spheres, political correctness intervenes and clouds the racial divides of old. To take part in the opportunity and season changes of democracy, citizenship is critical. The autumn season begins the stripping season of the earth. What does a democratic society do to preserve life for the purging forthcoming?

What is evident is American forefathers and thought leaders held conflicting views on what a man was, furthermore a citizen. While the Declaration of Independence held all men equal, the Dred Scott case deemed Blacks 1/5 human and not fit for the protections of the constitution. Also obvious is the sensitivity concerning race these days when it comes to interaction between Blacks and the Fraternal Order of police. Perhaps instances of contrasts in policing between Tamir Rice, a child gunned down by police on sight, while mass murders such as Dylan Roof and Parkland school shooter Nickolas Cruz were identified and safely secured for legal due process. The irony is, many of the mass shooting assailants were safely apprehended despite the raucous call from the chief of the executive branch, for less consideration of criminals’ wellbeing during an address to the Fraternal Order of Police in 2017. This again coming after more shooting of unarmed Black citizens. The energy that is formulated from this existence may appear to sustain one's’ life but may also be stressing the bedrock from which life spawns from. If prevailing U.S thought is going to dismiss concerns from the community and its Black citizens regarding police mistreatment, it could be the beginning of a disease that spreads throughout the country, plaguing everyone regardless of race or creed. Scorched earth is the result of stagnant heat and misuse of the land. Barren is the environment that was once fertile, due to the inappropriate acts of the people custodian over it. In the words of the popular television series, Game of Thrones, “Winter is Coming,” so is the opportunity for regeneration.

America can choose to fertilize the land with the principles and beliefs that inspired the world or leech its precious resources. It is obvious that all men are created equal. Furthermore, the American experiment has always required the participation of every citizen. Abraham Lincoln reprised Biblical tones in his appeal to maintain the Union, “A house divided cannot stand.” To prevent implosion and decay and allow the occurrence of an American spring season, if you would, we will need a deep rain of collective effort. American citizens in the sea, air and ground come from every color spectrum and religious background. The bind to all the unique attributes is the promise of opportunity. Liberties afforded through hard work. The pursuit of happiness and the possibility of a fruitful harvesting season. Many like me, learn in parables or lessons in everyday examples. Life like the seasons has boundless inspiration, some stages have greater favor and individual preference, yet every moment is essential for world survival.