Are you going to address the elephant in the room?

Andrew Jowers
| Special for Register-Mail

It’s the weekend and I’m relaxing after a week with some young men from the McKnight housing complex. While relaxing on the couch, I came across a documentary featuring famous political speeches at Congress.

As I listened, I was both challenged and inspired by what I heard from former presidential candidates who stepped up to serve their nation. There are two speeches that stood out to me.

Each speech highlighted policies that would impact every family, regardless of race, ethnicity, beliefs, or economic status. The speeches included themes of economic justice, environmental justice, and racial justice.

The speeches also highlighted income disparity, poverty and lack of adequate health care. The question of the fairness of our judicial system was also present in the speeches and the need for reforms.

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The first speech was given by Senator John F. Kennedy in 1960 at the Democratic National Convention held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The second speech was given by Ted Kennedy in 1980 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

The words spoken in these speeches prove that the two men were indeed the friends of all the people. In fact, their words still ring true today. It seems that they looked at time through the same telescope. Both seem to feel the pain and suffering of the masses across our country.

They shared the conviction of their hearts and the true quest of their souls. Let me offer you a moment to reflect on.

What if the two great Americans had had the opportunity and freedom to use the gift God gave them to help our nation heal.

Oh yes, to heal the nation of its self-inflicted wounds of division, destruction and death. In Senator Ted Kennedy’s convention speech, he categorized the choice between the Democratic and Republican nominees as follows: He said that historically, the Democratic Party has always stood on the side of the common man . In 1980, the Republican Party and its candidates were implementing policies intended to help the poor, working people, and the middle class.

To this statement, Senator Kennedy responded: “We have all seen wonderful things at the circus, but no performing elephant can do a handspring without falling flat on its back.” » This brings me to my subject, the “elephant in the room”.

Wikipedia says that the phrase “the elephant in the room” (or “the elephant in the living room”) is a metaphorical idiom in English for an important or huge topic, controversial issue or issue that is obvious or that all the world knows but no. one mentions or wants to discuss because it makes at least some of them uncomfortable and is personally, socially, or politically embarrassing, controversial, inflammatory, or dangerous that people don’t want to talk about.

You’re probably thinking right now, “Are you serious?” » Merriam-Webster offers its assessment of the phrase “the elephant in the room.” The phrase points to an obvious major issue or problem that people avoid discussing or acknowledging.

When evaluating definitions, I tend to turn to Wikipedia to fully understand the expression used in this article.

Let’s move on and take a closer look at the “elephant in the room,” which right now poses a serious threat to the life and conscience of our nation.

Half of our citizens are captivated by the insignificant, the small things of our human existence, to the point that they cannot see the dangers of the “elephant in the room.”

We are bewitched and held captive by a person’s appearance and their vast riches. Race and ethnicity dominate public discourse to the detriment of the soul of our nation and children who are unlikely to have a better future.

We will define a collective vision for our nation on November 5. We will collectively determine whether the commitment to “liberty and justice for all survives the “elephant in the room.”

Your vote on November 5 will decide whether some children continue to be left behind while others are lost to gun violence.

Additionally, you will decide whether hard-working families remain trapped in debilitating generational poverty, poor housing choices, and limited opportunities for growth.

Let us be clear, the “elephant in the room” in America is the absolute power that gives voice to hatred, indifference and violence.

The problem for us is this: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” according to the English historian Lord Acton.

The blatant abuse of power is humanity’s greatest weakness. On November 5, you will have the honor of voting for those who represent your wishes.

Will you vote to keep the “elephant in the room” or will you vote to denounce and expel him?

Andrew Jowers is a minister in Galesburg.