If variety is the spice of life (per 18th century English poet William Cowper), then shouldn’t diversity (to give variety to, vary – American Heritage Dictionary) be a positive characteristic to be celebrated? America’s diversity always has been part of its strength, although sometimes deliberately hidden or hampered by historians, politicians, and fellow citizens. Despite barriers erected intentionally or unintentionally by government and society, Americans from diverse backgrounds soar in so many fields, from the gym to the White House.
While Donald Trump casts aspersions on the diverse ethnic background of Kamala Harris – is she Black or Indian? (she’s both) – diverse American Olympians are winning multiple medals in the arenas and pools in Paris. To wit: Simone Biles’ mother is from Belize, Sunisa Lee is Hmong-American, Jordan Chiles’ father is Black and her mother is Latina, Asher Hong is Chinese-American, and Arlington’s Torri Huske’s mother is Chinese. Every one of these young athletes put race and ethnicity aside and reveled in the opportunity to represent the United States of America, regardless of the outcome. Looks like we need more of the Olympic spirit, and less division, in our upcoming elections.
It’s been more than 60 years since Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. said he dreamed of a world where his children would be judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. There was great hope in that 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Civil rights and voting rights legislation would be signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson within a couple of years, along with the Higher Education Act Amendments and other progressive legislation that helped people get ahead. Sadly, those great pieces of legislation, passed when Democrats and Republicans actually worked together on behalf of the American people, are under attack, quite frankly, by people who should know better.
It should come as no surprise that Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. The plain-spoken Midwesterner checked all the boxes – executive and legislative experience, a high school teacher and a football coach, National Guard member for more than two decades – whose guiding principles are respect, compromise, and service to country. Pretty basic stuff! He also is reputed to be a pretty joyous guy which should bring some needed levity to the campaign. It will be a rough and tumble 90 days to Election Day – mostly negative from the Trump campaign; more positive from the Harris-Walz campaign, based on both campaign approaches so far.
On an entirely different subject, there still are two weeks of Spotlight by Starlight free summer concerts at the Newton Edwards Amphitheatre at Mason District Park. The Sean Heely Celtic Trio performs on Friday, August 9, followed by Jingo, the Heart and Soul of Santana on Sunday, August 11. The final week features Carly Harvey (blues, jazz and soul) on August 14, the US Air Force Strings on August 16, and wraps up on August 18 with Cheryl Wheeler and Kenny White (folk). Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and last about an hour. See you there!
