America?

A few days ago, I was watching T.V. and saw the arrest of Narcisco Barranco by ICE agents in Orange County, Ca. He was a landscaper and had a weed whacker in his hands when accosted by ICE agents who said he swung the weed whacker at them. He did not. This was a small man being tackled by three large agents who pepper sprayed him and proceeded to hurt his shoulder and punch him multiple times in the face with no care that they were being filmed. Mr. Barranco was jailed and went without medical attention or food and water for 24 hours. I found myself tearing up at the display of these fascist wannabe thugs. And then I find out that this man’s three sons all serve in the U.S. Marines. Does anyone care enough to even check on people before their hate for anyone not like them is demonstrated? And the evil we’re seeing is just beginning.

And then later, as I’m in my car the song “America” by Simon and Garfunkel starts playing. I’m again emotionally touched. It starts with “Let us be lovers, we’ll marry our fortunes together.” Simon is speaking not just to his girlfriend but the hopes of those coming to this “melting pot” called America. This place which when “America” was written was a place of disillusionment. Dr King and RFK were assassinated and the war in Vietnam was killing our finest. Simon shows the doubt and distrust mounting in America with his lyrics, “The man in the gaberdine suit was a spy and be careful his bow tie is really a camera.” Like where we are today. Fear and distrust are rapidly growing. Simon writes, “I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why.” As if there is still a part holding on to the notion that this country will heal. That the good will overcome the evil. Yet today we see an unchecked reign of hate and evil trying to shackle and even kill those not “like us” to Make America Great Again. Like it is sung in West Side Story, “Life is all right in America. If you’re all white in America.”

Paul Simon ends his song “America” saying “Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike. They’ve all come to look for America.” He still displays some hope, but the promise of America is fading. I still look for that America. My grandparents came from Italy with the hope of America. They made a life through hard work and were not always accepted. My uncle was allowed to caddie on their town’s local golf course but could not golf there as he was Italian. A man who fought in the Pacific Theater in WW2 and received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. So, I understand and am deeply ashamed for how the sons of Mr. Barranco must feel. Their father is a man just trying to work in the country of his dreams and raise a good family. And he did. His sons’ service is proof of that. Yet even now this story is fading. Being mixed with the other similar stories and being too easily accepted as common place. I so pray this stops. That all people of good conscience stand firm and make their voice heard. He who treats his fellow man this way does not love God. If you display hatred toward your brother, you walk in darkness and this darkness is from the evil one. And this darkness has blinded your eyes. Treat strangers well that dwell in your land. Why are these words ignored? They still all come to look for America. I, too, am looking.

America! A song that maybe should be our National Anthem says, “God shed His grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood. From sea to shining sea.” I still have hope. My hope is in Him. But my heart breaks. Blessings.