Don't Make A Mockery Of Memorial Day - And Response

  • Thursday, May 21, 2015

We're told Memorial Day is the day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order that we, as Americans and others around the world, might live free, unshackled (invisible or otherwise) and without oppression. But how is that so when so many in America continue to be denied those freedoms? Others whose family and friends made the ultimate sacrifice? Their surviving families still denied the right to freely move and go about their daily routine. Such hypocrisy. 

I have family and friends, white and black, who gave their lives for those "freedoms." White, black, Vietnamese family and friends who fought alongside Americans in Vietnam, whose children are now serving in America's military. Yet I, and others who look like me, are still followed around the city as if we're strangers in the land of our birth. The communities where we were born. How is that freedom? Where are those freedoms so many fought and some died for? How are those freedoms dispersed? To a select few? And who gets to make the decision?  

I have family, both black, white and other, who are or retired law enforcement. Yet, on any given day, like yesterday, it's not unusual to darn near be followed all the way through one community and into another, nearly to my front door, by some cop looking to make a stop or meet some quota.  How is that living "free?"  

I am American. Whether the word America is with a hyphen or not is irrelevant. It's still American. My great-great grandmother was born on a reservation in North Carolina. At some point they migrated to Tennessee and on to Chattanooga. My family here dates back to well over a century. They lived in the very community I have lived for near four decades. My grandfather, great uncles and great aunts were playmates with the child of one of Chattanooga's most prominent citizens. Who spent more time at my great-grandmother's house than at his own on Lookout Mountain. As children, they ate together, played together, fought like sisters and brothers, love one another and were very overprotective of one another like brothers and sisters normally are. Yet, there have been periods and pockets in time where I and my family have been looked upon, followed by law enforcement, called and reported by neighbors as "suspicious" persons in the very racially mixed community I was born and lived the earlier years of my life. Have presently lived for nearly four decades.  

How is it progress? Or how are people to let go of the past when we live in a society that continues the same old practices? Having a black this or black that seemingly in charge as a cover or to give some false appearance of change doesn't alleviate or deny reality. Especially when the reality is the same old strategy and practices just a different day.  

Chattanooga, America:  don't make a mockery of Memorial Day and those "sacrifices" many have made.  They weren't considered a color, class, religion, gender, ethnicity when they fought and died side by side on some foreign soil to protect "all" Americans freedom at home, So why continue to divide fellow Americans based on those qualifications alone? It's no different than those old segregation practices without the signs telling select people or groups where they aren't welcome.  America is not some exclusive social club. Whether some like or not. Whether it was meant to be or not, America is a diverse nation rich with varying shades, class, colors, hues, religions and other qualities which makes it a unique and special place. A place to be celebrated, not oppressed and divided.  

In honor and respect on this Memorial Day and in memory of my brother, two-tour-duty/ Vietnam veteran who recently passed away, 

Brenda Washington

* * *

Mrs.  Washington,

First off I’m sorry for the loss of your brother who fought for this great nation.   I as well have an uncle that was an Airborne Ranger in Vietnam that did two tours.  He was a chopper pilot that would fly in under fire to pick up the wounded and often times those killed by enemy fire.  The horror stories he often tells I could not even fathom, but he speaks of these experiences as openly as if I was talking sports with one of my friends. 

Flying in and out on these missions the only color he could see was red, and that was the blood of his wounded and fallen brothers no matter their race or origin.   I have other family, friends and co-workers that have fought for this great nation and saw their brothers perish on the battlefield as well and I am proud and honored to know them and be a part of their lives. 

I agree with you, Brenda, let’s make Memorial Day about honoring the fallen Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice to give us our liberties and freedoms and not make a mockery of it by using it as a platform for some underlying agenda. 

Chris Morgan

 

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