Presidential Call To Arms

This past weekend, I was involved in a social media exchange involving the paraphrased question, “So what are you doing?” As I let the question marinade in my brain, I thought of President Kennedy’s speech 1961 inaugural speech. Similar to what I wrote in “What To Do When Somebody Hurts (Sometimes)” regarding how sometimes a familiar song forever resonates within a single moment, I find that the same is true for President Kennedy’s speech (text). While he was speaking about Cold War threats, I feel that his words can strongly parallel to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Below, I have edited some passages to emphasize certain points,

“Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science…

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power…where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty.

Now the trumpet summons us again—not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are—but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”

This edited passage calls us to look past our differences to focus on our common enemy: the coronavirus and its impacts. I see how government and business is working together to assist with, among other things, producing more COVID tests to detect the virus and making more masks to protect medical workers on the front line. I hope that elected officials can transcend short-sighted thinking that focuses on re-election over our overall, long-term benefit.

Unfortunately, the pandemic’s various impacts have magnified the difference between the haves and have nots. Among the differences that are now increasingly apparent includes insufficient access to high-speed internet and technology (ex. tablets and computers). In Michigan, this insufficient access is critical because of the probability of the school year ending early. For those children that already have access to great schools and teachers, the impact wouldn’t be as pronounced, as it would be for kids in struggling schools and with poor supports. As I think about these technological and educational impacts, I think about how many of these kids could make the next round of discoveries that will transform our society. One of the things that would make this possible is when those with resources and influence share with those that don’t have any and to shore things up. We need all of the help that we can get.

As much as there are things that the government is doing to help, including sending sorely needed medical supplies, at least in my immediate community, I see how much neighbors are pitching in. There is a group of neighbors with whom we socialize and are close. Now, post-pandemic, we check in on each other to see how we’re doing and if anybody needs anything. In a previous post, “When The Village (Friends and Family) Comes Together,“ I wrote about how family and real friends are those that have your back. With what we have at stake, taking care of each other becomes that much more important.

With this common enemy (coronavirus/COVID-19), it is necessary to completely see our course of action through to minimize the virus’ impact and reduce further deaths. The speech, then and now, calls us to endure a needed effort. Essential to success would be retaining our hope and remaining patient enough to do what is necessary. I can’t pretend to say that it will be easy, but, nonetheless, necessary.

Lastly, in the final part, President Kennedy was saying that everything put toward an endeavor could change the world. If what I have seen is any indication, then I have no doubt that we are coming together and bonding even more strongly. I deeply hope that we maintain this closeness post-pandemic.

When, I arrived to the part that everyone knows. I could feel my eyes welling up and feeling the motivation, strength and call to action that we need right now,

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.  

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do…

With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love…”

When I do watch the news (less these days), I have heard countless stories of people stepping up to help in some ways. I wasn’t around for it, but I think about our collective efforts during WWII. These days, I have heard of countless regular people making surgical masks. On ABC World News, I recall watching a segment towards the end of a show, where a college student home from school was trying to use their time to mobilize help to deliver food to those in need. In Michigan, Channel 4 Detroit reported how Carhartt will start to make masks and hospital gowns. From the most regular private citizen to corporate America, people are pitching in, so that we can get past this pandemic. Everybody has something to lose here.

So What Are You Doing?

So when I was asked what I do, the question made me think. I am blessed to still have a job, which allows me to provide for my family. I help my son to maintain his education, while working from home. I help my family to maintain their spirits, while doing the same for myself. I have chosen to be responsible and stay at home. I started reconnecting with friends that I’ve unfortunately not spoken with for some time. Lastly, I continue to write here not just for your sake but for mine as well. My hope is that the topics that I discuss and the way in which I discuss them brings comfort and consolation.

Contributions don’t need to be “big.” Even “little” things matter. In my opinion, what matters the most is making the conscious effort to see what those around you need and helping. Returning to what President Kennedy said to conclude his inaugural address, it is in doing, which can leave us with a good conscience. At least, by doing something, by doing anything, we can be sure that we contributed a part toward the overall effort that will help us survive, then thrive in this new post-coronavirus world.

ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

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