We Should Be Proud

A general malaise has seemed to fall over the nation in the wake of the Gulf Coast disaster. Thousands are dead at home, our soldiers are still fighting and dying overseas, gas prices are skyrocketing, 65% of Americans think the country is heading in the wrong direction, etc. There is not a lot to be "happy" about, but if anything, we should at least be proud. The tremendous outpouring of generosity and kindness over the last two weeks shows us that the American spirit is still alive and well. It shows us that our hearts and our minds are still with us. Regardless of the failures of state, local, and the federal government last week, the American people did not fail. We stood up and were our brothers keepers. We donated money, food, and clothing. We opened our homes to those who no longer had one. We converged on the South East in the form of firefighters, police, EMTs, doctors and nurses. We came together in our churches, schools, and community centers to figure out how we could help and how we could make a difference in the lives of those we have never met.

No, things are not great right now, but at least I am proud of what America did in the face of disaster. We did not give up, we did not give in, we did not concede. Wile we greve for those we lost, we should also be proud of what we did not lose - the knowledge of what it means to be an American.