I believe that the American family has suffered in modern times for many reasons. I believe that one silver lining of the pandemic is the opportunity to uplift family life which will, in turn, strengthen our entire nation.
How can we do this?
Look deeply at how we support the American family
Do we support good living for the American family? I actually believe our country is more focused on the wealth and success of corporations and their wealthy leaders rather than the American family. In fact, I believe that the Trump team has replaced any regard for the American family with their will to create and sustain a servant class in the United States--they desire an oppressed group of poorly educated, unsupported, and weak Americans that are relegated to working to elevate the Trump team's personal wealth and privilege. If you look carefully at the Trump team's policies, rhetoric, and action, you will notice that they foster hate and prejudice, increase pollution mainly in areas where their desired servant class lives, create obstacles to affordable, accessible, quality health care, education, and social services, and work against individual's freedom, safety, and peace of mind.
We can support American families well in the following ways:
- Ensure that every American family makes a substantial minimum income that affords them with quality housing, nutrition, health care, education, recreation, and peaceful, safe communities
- Invest in America's schools to ensure that every American is well educated no matter where they live or the cultures, race, or economic class they represent
- Increase environmental supports and protections--a healthy Earth is a requirement for good living-don't disregard that, but instead support that aim
- Rid our country of inequitable, prejudicial policies and actions that exclude any individuals or groups--every American has a right to live their life as they choose as long as they are not hurting others' freedom and safe, good living
- Boost communities by ways of quality housing, environments, opportunities, education, and recreation
- Re-imagine our country for modern times. The world is changing. Trump's mantra, "Make America Great Again" clearly exemplifies his backwards vision, actions, and ideas for the United States--he wants to recreate a prejudiced, inequitable, White supremacist, outdated USA. We can't go back in time and we shouldn't go back in time--we know better, and we have to use our current best knowledge to live and lead better.
Every family has to own this challenge too
Too many American families have not taken their responsibility or opportunity to support strong, loving, and healthy families seriously. Too many have been callous when it comes to childcare and family life. We have not stood up and spoken out enough about what we need to care for our children and elderly relatives. We have not advocated enough for healthy nutrition, unpolluted lands, and optimal recreation. We have watched what families' potential fall apart rather than stand up for what families can be and receive by way of positive supports. Everywhere we look, we see evidence of this. School buildings in many communities are broken and falling apart. There are too many polluted, dirty places. Some communities don't even have access to clean water. Also health care, good nutrition, and social services are often inaccessible and unaffordable.
We have to first do what we can for our own families by reviewing how we spend our time and money. Do you spend your time and money in ways that well support your loved ones? If not, then you have to make some changes. Your family is your responsibility, and every American has to take that responsibility seriously. I have worked with countless families over my life, and most take their role as parents and family members seriously. Yet, from time to time, I have worked with families whose selfishness or inability to get help for their personal problems have created family struggles and grave problems.
Then we have to work in our communities to uplift supports for all families in ways that strengthen family life. For too long, we've neglected this call, and the pandemic gives us time and focus to speak up and act for change.
The promise of the pandemic
During hard times, we have the choice to idly take it or to find the promise in the challenge. In every challenge, there lies a promise of betterment. One promise this pandemic holds is the promise to uplift family life in every corner of the country. If we do this, we will substantially strengthen the nation's foundation and this will be good for everyone. We can do this.