Political Turbulence on the Highway to Heaven
8/11/2020
By Charlotte
I was once told that it is best to steer clear of two
topics. Two subjects that have the capabilities to spark uncontrolled debate in
an otherwise civilised conversation. Two topics that, if used improperly, can be
used to subject some of us to suppression, and the rest to privilege. These two
subjects being Religion and Politics. Both submerged in controversy. Both encouraging
passion and dedication to a cause. Both, ready and waiting, to be discovered by
an individual. Whether in your youth or elder years, or even if your alliance
was decided before you were born, many people feel a sense of belonging and
purpose when they belong to a religion or political movement. Some want change.
Some want tradition. Some are radical. Some conservative. But, above all, both
these stories in human history, explain why we live our today as we do. Therefore,
in order to prepare for our future, we must understand every chapter of
religion and politics. Question policies; explore your faith. Ask questions;
listen to the replies. Why does democracy exist? How should those elected
engage with us? Why is God a He? What is islamophobia?
All these questions can give me a headache. This week, it
has been American politics at the forefront of many of our minds. Across the
pond, the political circuit of red and blue waves began splashing on shore of The White
House and before we all knew it, the leader of the free world, became
utterly drowned out. We saw, the President Incumbent claim that the same electoral
machine that had moved him from the multi-million pound, gold plated tower, (imaginatively
named ‘Trump Tower’) to Washington D.C four years prior, had now stopped
working. The machine was, according to the President, now broken. Apparently, the
machine was, or it is, unable to fairly choose a winner. The way to fix this machine, as we all found
out from The White House news conference, was with a manual. This manual belonging
to President Donald Trump. This manual, probably and I say this with the most
respect, to be written by President Donald Trump in the next couple of days and
to be read out before a court in the next couple of weeks. But let us remember,
no machine is built well without a manual. So, Mr Trump, I am afraid to say that
a manual has already been written. For many centuries, the electoral machine
has been running well since it was first created... It has changed overtime,
like anything in life. For example, a wider audience can now vote.
It was 1789 on a
wooden table when this electoral machine was first assembled, and it was on the
30th April 1789 when George Washington was sworn into office. It was 171 years later, still in Washington,
when John and Jackie Kennedy entered the West Wing of The White House. In 1960,
the United States of America elected its youngest president, John F Kennedy,
whose tragic end would arrive three years later on the streets of Dallas. It would be from the Oval Office, on a
September night 41 years later, that Bush would speak of “A War on Terror.” And
in January 2021, it will be where the oldest president elected in US history
will reside, alongside the first female Vice-President in US history. Since
1789, the machine has been working. I admit, the machine has been altered along
the years and modified. But the manual has always been updated if changes have
been made. This manual represents the Supreme Law of the USA. For example, the Supreme Law of the USA was first drafted on
September 17th, 1787 and last amended on 5th May 1992. Over 200 years of change bridging these two documents.
History conserved and the idea of ‘making history’ encouraged over the centuries.
Nearly 200 months ago,
in perhaps one of the greatest speeches of his career, Barack Obama became a
household name at the Democratic National Convention, in July 2004. This would
set him on the political path to The White House. He would bring along Joseph
Biden, a trusted colleague, who would act as Vice-President within the Obama Administration.
And after the deaths of nearly 200 thousand American citizens in 2020 due to
Covid-19, it is fitting that the country has elected a leader that could and
should move the free world towards a future that focuses on equality, social
economic and environmental change, and above all, unity. A difficult task in a
country that has began to forget the meaning of its name. There is no blue America.
No red America. No white America. No black America. No male America. No female
America. No young America. No old America. No need to make America great again without
welcoming change. It is called the UNITED States of America, and this is something
that, as Mr Trump returns to his big tower, for his own sake, I hope he
remembers.
The American political spectrum is so diverse in nature,
that as I mentioned at the start, it can give you a headache. But, whilst still
trying to understand policy and debate myself, I was caught by the story of one
American Politician in particular. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Beneath the polished windows of
the Trump Tower in New York, a young Latina went from serving pints behind a
bar in the Bronx, to becoming a member of the House of Representatives in the 2018
mid-term elections. Having attended Boston University and studied economics and
international relations, after graduation she returned to her native New York
to support her mother. Something struck Alexandria as she met members of her
community whilst waitressing at the bar; unemployment was rising; education was
becoming out of reach; healthcare was too expensive; the minimum wage was below
that required to survive. People would chat to her over a drink and she would
share their concerns. There was a real problem amongst the working class and their
voices were not being heard. Their representative for over twenty years, Joe
Crowley, was nowhere to be seen. Their representative, who should share their
concerns, did not understand the people’s problems. Why would he? He had an
impossible task. You can have great power and great responsibility, but all
this means nothing if your role is to reflect a community and class that you choose
not to belong to. So, the young Latina decided to give the neighbourhood a new
option and alongside this, a brighter future. Consequently, she defeated Joe
Crowley, and was successful in her election bid. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
became the youngest woman ever to be elected to the US Congress at the age of 29
years old, only seven years after graduating college. As you can see, history is constantly being
made because of this electoral machine. Whilst this week, the focus has been on celebrating
a Democratic or Republican presidential win, I feel achievements like this deserve
the same level of acknowledgement. They might not be as grand, but they are just as
inspiring, and deserve the same level recognition and celebration.
On those streets of
New York City, change was needed and welcomed by those who needed it most. It often
goes this way. Change is appreciated by those that need it most. Alexandria’s story
was filled with inspiration and hope. I have attached her campaign video from
the 2018 mid-term elections when she first rose on the political spectrum and
decided to initiate change. Give it a watch. Her words, just as Obama’s had at the 2004 Democratic
National Convention and Bush’s did after 9/11, and Trump’s
have this week, allow politics and religion to do what they do best; spark a conversation.
These two subjects, Religion and Politics, can be great, but they can be
divisive. They can mould human nature and simultaneously amplify an individual’s
true colours… Vote, prey, campaign, debate, talk and worship. However, always
ask yourself why you are doing it and why it means something to you.
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Campaign Video:
Praying for Time by George Michael
Chosen Live Performance
Film of the Week (This video aims to unite politics and religion. Let this be your final thought for this article. Have a little dance around your house! We're all stuck inside, you might as well make the most of it!)
Have a lovely day x
Comments
Post a Comment