OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL The Whole World Is Watching Us Now The U.S. has always been the channel to watch by those who live outside of this country. There is so much to see and learn from this nation that touts itself as the leader of the Free World. In the U.K, France, Germany and Russia, the U.S. is studied as if it were a cell in a Petri dish, watched closely to see what our president, or Congress, is doing to or for its citizens that will most assuredly impact their government and its citizens, as well. In smaller countries, places we rarely hear about in Africa, the Caribbean and other developing nations, the U.S. is watched closely, too. The recent presidential election, and its apparently never-ending aftermath, is viewed as a salacious and tantalizing soap opera full of twists and turns and a lot of suspense. Many fortunate enough to still be working during this world pandemic say they rush home to watch CNN to see what President Trump said or did. They are fascinated by the growth and impact of Black Lives Matters but nervously curious about potential conflicts with white supremacists across the U.S. And while women are leading in many countries around the world including Barbados, Ethiopia, Togo and Gabon, as well as Lithuania, Greece, Bolivia and Germany, the U.S. is finally catching up with its first female vice-president who also happens to be an African American, born to a Jamaican-American father and a South Asian mother. This story couldn’t be better. Besides the drama going on inside the U.S., what matters most is how a single document, drafted more than 200 years ago, continues to govern the land, illustrating the power of our Constitution. The lesson learned is that this document, and the powers it established to interpret it, to govern by it and to amend it when needed, serves as the glue which keeps America from becoming unhinged. It trumps those who believe their name gives them greater power. It protects citizens no matter from where they have come. No one expects America’s democracy to be overturned. But they’re undoubtedly enjoying the chance to watch, wait and see how America survives, once again. WI
America Must Choose Between Needs of the Many or Rights of the Few One of the most cherished and defining characteristics of America has long been the ability of its citizens to exercise their individual rights as detailed and guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and subsequent amendments. Obviously, not everyone would be allowed to enjoy these rights because of their race, gender or economic status when the nation was first formed. But progress and changing attitudes about “justice for all” have slowly leveled the field. For centuries, millions of people have overcome unimaginable obstacles, leaving their native lands and moving to America in search of a nation which prides itself as one which affirms democratic rule over dictatorial enforcement. But there remain moments in history when our insistence to exercise our individual rights must be subverted for the good of the country – the many. The ongoing coronavirus health pandemic serves as such a moment in time. During a press conference on Nov. 17, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) reinstituted COVID-19 stage two protocols which had been enforced during the summer as infection rates surged to then-unprecedented heights. Among the changes which go into effect on Friday, Nov. 20: no hospital or nursing home visitations (with limited exceptions); no fans allowed at stadiums; no dine-in service at restaurants or bars after 10 p.m.; and capacity for in-door dining limited to 50 customers. “More important than any public health order is your willingness to take personal responsibility,” Hogan said. Indeed, Hogan aptly describes the situation which we, as one nation, face. Clearly, many Americans have grown weary of remaining locked up, isolated from friends and loved ones, unable to return to enjoying such things as taking last-minute cross-country trips, bar hopping on Friday nights, rooting for our favorite team during high school football games on crisp Saturday nights or watching young children learn how to play together as new kindergarteners or first graders. But if we value life over individual rights, we must move toward a national policy and follow it to the letter. Only if the majority of Americans can put away pride and selfishness in order to consider the needs of the many, will we succeed in overcoming our common enemy: COVID-19 WI
TO THE EDITOR Let's Get to Work!
Black Votes Matter
Loved seeing my president-elect and vice president-elect on your last cover! What a sense of joy and relief the nation experienced when the election was called. We did it! But the real work begins now as our democracy comes under attack from disgruntled losers who don't believe in the peaceful transfer of power.
I'm so glad Joe Biden made it clear that African Americans are the reason he was able to give a victory speech as president-elect over Donald Trump. I loved it! "To the African American community you have always had my back and I'll have yours!"
Lynn Eclaire Washington, D.C.
Readers' Mailbox
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
Marguerite Johnson Washington, D.C.
The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer. com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. NOVEMBER 19 - 25, 2020 25
