Soap box

Fair warning... the following content may offend some readers.

I need to get some things off of my chest. I think rather than argue with closeminded people on Facebook and get upset, I will put my thoughts here.

Unless you live under a rock, you have seen all of the controversy about Obama's speech today. I agree with the woman who spoke on the news saying that she was embarassed to be an Oklahoma because of all of the ridiculous banter. I can't believe that people actually believed that Obama was going to have people bow down and pledge allegiance to him. Seriously? Unbelievable.

For those who missed the talk about the fact that the transcripts has been available for the public to read, and still said things like the above comment, you really needed to hear today's speech.

The reality is, his speech was quite inspiring. I had chill bumps several times. I don't understand why people are upset about a speech that asks students to be all that they can be. More than anything he said, your current circumstances do not determine your destiny, you do. It doesn't matter where you come from, you can be whatever you work hard to become. Isn't that what America is all about? (the American Dream) There was NOTHING political in his speech at all. Parents are still on the news screaming things like, "Keep Hitler away from my kids. Don't brainwash my kid with your socialist indoctrination. I don't want to see your face on TV unless you are working." Really America? And to those using the word "socialist", what does that word mean to you? I suspect that most people who are throwing this around heard it from some forwarded email about how Obama is a Muslim, non-citizen and they believe everything that they hear.

The thing that disturbs me the most about this whole issue is that the people who are being vocal about their problems with Obama speaking to their children are Christians. We continue to make a bad name for our faith. Debbie and I decided that our pastor uses the words Christ-follower instead of Christian because the word Christian is quickly earning a bad connotation. Instead of loving others, we criticize and shun them. Since 9/11, Christians have been known for shunning Muslims. We are also known for ostracizing homosexuals, and those who have made other lifestyle choices that differ from ours. Radical Christian groups have picketed soldiers' funerals and have blown up facilities where abortions are performed. I am not saying that all Christians are giving Christianity a bad name, but in the same way that a few radical Muslims gave Islam a bad name on 9/11, some radical Christians are doing the same. Somewhere in all of this Christ's message of love others, help those less fortunate than you, and don't be self righteous is getting lost. What legacy are we leaving for Christ this way? In my opinion, one that not many others are going to want to follow. So it our responsibility to change America's view of Christianity.

I honestly think that if George Bush or another white, conservative had delivered the speech today, far fewer people would have been upset. Many people didn't hear a word that was uttered simply because it was coming from Obama. Maybe this is a racial issue? Let's face it, we still live in a "white privileged" world. It is hard to admit, but it is true. I hope that those minority students listening to the speech heard the messsage, that they too can be successful. I hope the white students heard it to... I am just saying.

Ok, I feel better now. I am sure there is more that I wanted to say.

The thing that struck me most in the speech today was at the end when he asked, "What will the President in 20 years say about your generation when he gives this speech?" We have such big shoes to fill in those who have gone before us. What legacy will we leave? As Christians, what impact are we making?

Just some food for thought.