Do black lives matter? Of course they do! But so do ALL lives! ALL lives in America matter, because we are together—ONE people, one country and one nation under God.
There were quite a few pertinent points made with passionate deliveries at the Republican National Convention's first day on Monday, but one of the most noted speeches was that of former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani. (Photo: via Star Tribune)
With the recent tragic attacks on officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge fresh in mind, Giuliani thanked police forces throughout the country, noting that they protect "every race, every color, every creed, every sexual orientation."
What Giuliani said next was apparently off-script, however, it was the most powerful—and most repeated—part of his speech, as he fervidly stated what has always been what truly makes America great:
"It's time to make America ONE again. One America! ... What happened to there's no black America, there's no white America, there is just AMERICA?!..."
Our Founding Fathers said it best when they designed this country's Great Seal and motto: "E pluribus unim," which means "from many, one."
I don't recall learning this in History class, but apparently there were several ideas submitted for that official Seal during the formation of America, submitted by the First Great Seal Committee made up of: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, along with artist, Pierre Eugéne Du Simitiére. (Image via GreatSeal.com)
One of the artistic designs included symbols of the original countries from which they immigrated at the time; England, France, Holland, Germany, Ireland and Scotland. Those were surrounded by 13 smaller shields with initials representing the "thirteen Independent States of America."
In the end, though, the seal design that was finally chosen in 1782 was that of the American bald eagle, holding a ribbon in its beak with the Latin words: E Pluribus Unim. It's what America has always been; the common thread that unites each citizen—out of many, ONE.
Our proud heritage (from other countries or Native American) is what makes us UNIQUE—being a citizen of America is what makes us ONE. And being united as ONE is what makes us STRONG! It's what makes America strong. (Image via GreatSeal.com)
Do black lives matter? Of course they do! But so do ALL lives! ALL lives in America matter, because we are together—ONE people, one country, and one nation under God.
Please, let's return to E Pluribus Unim, and when voices that highlight division are shouting, let's please shout even louder: ONE AMERICA, ALL LIVES MATTER IN ONE AMERICA!
It's true the country seems more divided than ever right now. But if we can return to referring to ourselves as simply "Americans," and embrace what unites us, instead of promoting division and defining everything by the color of our skin—then maybe this nation really can be great again.
Jesus plainly warned, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matt. 12:25)
There is great evil to fight, ISIS will not wait.
The USA must come together again, and stand together once again—all of us with our different hues of skin, different heritages, differing talents and giftings, even differing religions—all of us united by the fact that we are all free citizens of this remarkable country: America!
