When the fight for one right negates our other rights.

January 5, 2016

I just watched Obama's speech and executive action for Gun Law reforms. It made me emotional. I am thankful for action being taken.  I am thankful that light is also shed on balancing all of the rights we hold as Americans. 

Here is the quote that stood out: Update at 12:18 p.m. ET: 'The Rest Of Our Rights'

Saying that Second Amendment rights matter, President Obama states:

"There are other rights that we care about, as well, and we have to be able to balance them. Because our right to worship freely and safely — that right was denied to Christians in Charleston, S.C.; and that was denied Jews in Kansas City; and that was denied Muslims in Chapel Hill, and Sikhs in Oak Creek. They had rights, too."

He then says the right of peaceful assembly has been robbed in movie theaters in Colorado and Louisiana — and the pursuit of happiness and liberty has also been taken away in attacks on schools.

"Those rights were stripped from college kids in Blacksburg, in Santa Barbara, and from high schoolers in Columbine, and from first graders in Newtown." 

I found myself in emotional as he spoke. I am elated that there is some movement on this issue. I am saddened money, gun lobbyist, and caring about getting elected has become more important in Washington than what the majority of America wants. I am saddened that so many people will die from the illness of closed minds.  People are dying from guns. So many people have died! Whatever excuse is made Mental illness, Terrorist, etc. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. We need to do something. I am saddened that there are many that will shoot down this action just because it was Obama, a Democrat, a Black man. They will not understand that this is what is best for our country. For all of the free people of this county. We are a country who allows ourselves to be divided. If we can stop for a minute and reflect on the fact that if a tragedy happened in your home, to your family, you may want the reform of these laws. You may strive to find a way to unity. 

I love that Obama compared the charge to change Gun Control laws to Women's Rights, Civil Rights, and  LGBT rights. It took many years for us to see change. Each of us can do our part to bring balance. No one should feel that anything is being taken away from them. There is nothing wrong with us living peacefully in 2016 America. There is nothing wrong with finding understanding for your neighbors point of view. We do not have to agree just try to understand. Extending the branch of possibility is the first step. 

We do need to make sure that the fight for one right does not negate our other rights. We are the land of the Free! I pray we start looking like it!