(Snippets from the frontline)
COVID-19/BLM: Seeking the Promised Land
Seven score and 18 years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent the Emancipation Proclamation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Historically, from the first boots stepping into the new world, land and culture of indigenous people were expropriated. Slaves were subjugated for plantation wealth, Chinese were forced to build railroads, suppression and control of women was generational, Japanese-Americans were incarcerated in concentration camps, hispanics exploited for their labor, and the plight of gay men suffering from AIDS was ignored.
Despite the Emancipation Proclamation, separation of equality kept many in the back of the bus with suppression of voting, education, and opportunity.
Through undaunted efforts from many including Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, up to John Lewis, Congressman James Clyburn from South Carolina stood on the broad shoulders of earlier fighters. He swayed primary voters for Joe Biden, then the African-American community rose electing two minority senators from Georgia.
History will show this was a major stepping stone for people of color nearing the top of the mountain seeking the Promised Land, where we are all equal.
Of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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