Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Beyond FINESSE: Ben Franklin

Thanks to blogger Bailey Stewart over at Long and Writing Road for a collection of inspiring quotes from our nation’s founding fathers. My favorite is at the top of her list and is from Ben Franklin: “Without Freedom of Thought there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as Public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech.”

As we celebrate our independence, let’s consider what we can do—individually as well as collectively—to help the many worldwide who have never known or even imagined the many freedoms we consider our birthright.

6 Comments:

Blogger Bailey Stewart said...

Why thank you Karen. I appreciate the mention.

As the daughter of a WWII vet, the Fourth of July has always been an important holiday for us. And as a history major I couldn't have acknowledged it in any other way.

Have a safe and happy Fourth!

8:01 AM  
Blogger Sustenance Scout said...

Thanks for stopping by, Bailey!

8:08 AM  
Blogger Patry Francis said...

Great Franklin quote.

11:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello,

I followed your link from Bailey's blog to find a kindred spirit. I am the daughter of a Samoan (polynesian) mother and a White American Marine. I look latin and growing up in Texas, it is often assumed I am Mexican. Being a member of a very small minority (Pacific Islander), I appreciate your efforts to champion diversity.

Here's to reaching beyond...

3:50 PM  
Blogger Sustenance Scout said...

Hi, Susie! Nice to meet you and thanks so much for stopping by. Check out my list of links for some terrific resources and feel free to share your insights into race relations whenever you like. I'm always amazed by the diversity not only of our backgrounds, but of our experiences and perspectives. Americans of mixed-race heritage face some unusual challenges that most other Americans fail to understand--if they see them at all.

I'll step down from my soapbox now!

8:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You're right about those challenges. My mother's family is very close knit and anywhere I go where her family is near by, I am instantly welcomed. But being a "pelangi" (white), I don't quite fit in.

It's the same on my father's side. They are not as close knit, and while I am welcomed to participate, their not as willing to engage. His people come from country (farm) origins and can be rather bigoted. They don't even realize how their words hurt when the talk about interacial relations. How the whole world will someday be "tan". Hello, you're talking about me!

OK, now it's my turn to step back off that soapbox.

By the way, mixed race kids are the most beautiful people. The mixing usually creates a child with all the positive physical attributes of the combined races while softening the less desirable attributes. Me and my sisters are perfect examples.

God bless you.

9:18 AM  

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