Country needs unity

In a political contest rife with questions regarding the failing economy and character issues, one could easily lose sight of the most important issue: unity.

However, this unity does not confine itself to the politics of America. The more pressing need for unity is found worldwide, especially in places such as Darfur.

For the first time in American history, in a country partly founded on the institution of slavery, an African-American has a chance to become the commander in chief. The potential respect to be garnered by this individual from the rest of the world is outstanding, and his vision to restore peace and unity is what should hold precedence.

While Americans are concerned with the credit crisis that is crushing our society, we turn a blind eye to the rest of the globe, a possible byproduct of our independent mind-set. Some of these Americans are worried about acquiring a second vehicle, while all the civilians in Darfur are slaughtered in genocide. This prompted a response from President Bush: “We concluded – I concluded – that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and Janjaweed bear responsibility.” 

In a country that preaches “The American Dream” and its availability to all, no matter gender, ethnicity or economic status, it’s absolutely amazing how selfishly we cling to our mantra and keep it for ourselves. The selflessness that was once associated with the Kennedy presidency is now a decrepit skeleton in our collective closet. But Americans should take Kennedy’s proposal one step further and ask not what the world can do for us, but what we can do for the world.

We can do that by voting in this upcoming election. We can unify mankind by voting for a man who thinks about the possible consequences for all, not just for himself. So take a minute, or better yet an hour, to think about others who aren’t lucky enough to even have a vehicle, let alone food, and cast your vote for them, not for the President of the United States.