Well Said My Fellow American

Written By: Kim - Apr• 28•12

Earlier this week, I traveled to Orlando, Fla., for DigitalNow 2012, which is an amazing conference for association professionals. The most pleasant cab driver from Washington Flyer picked me up at my home.

Originally from Pakistan, he immigrated to the US 15 years ago. He received his US citizenship a couple of years back. He wants his 7 year-old son to attend West Point. His naturalization ceremony was held at Thomas Jefferson’s home in Monticello outside of Charlottesville, Va. I cannot think of a more perfect spot than the home of the father of the Declaration of Independence. 

I often ask my cab drivers if they seem open to conversation and who often hail from other countries what they miss most about their home. I had a cab driver last December say that, “America was his home” even though he originated from India. What a powerful and moving statement that was.

My conversation this week yielded the same, powerful response: “I have not returned to Pakistan in the 15 years since I left.” Powerful words which testify to why America opens her arms. We were a country founded on immigrants. The Statue of Liberty’s poem holds powerful words for Americans to remember. This is not a post about immigration reform. I am simply reminded by a new American what it means to live in this amazing country:

Anyone can come to America and is offered the chance at a better life. In Pakistan, when we go to a movie, the announcement beforehand reminds everyone to look under our seats for any signs of a bomb. I came from another country and my son has the chance to attend West Point or any other college. There are not many countries in the world where you can argue with your politician and still be alive to tell the story the next day. The founding fathers guaranteed citizen’s rights that many other countries, even now, do not enjoy. The founding fathers were pretty smart.

Well said, my fellow American. Well said.

So remember: It’s your Constitutional right and duty as an American citizen. Get out and vote. I know my cab driver does.

Posted in Association Management, Citizenship, Digital Now, Diversity, Military Service, Voting , , , , , , | No Comments »

How the Next Generation Learns about Dictators

Written By: Kim - Mar• 11•12

Dictators of the world take note: The upcoming generation is armed and dangerous—to you.

The next generation is more technically savvy. For better or worse, they are also more informed of current events than generations previously. Because their parents allowed them more reign than generations before, this new breed of teenagers and younger people are not afraid to speak up. They observe. They comment. They share—which exposes you even more.

I was extremely proud of my 14 year-old son on Wednesday when he began to discuss Joseph Kony at the dinner table. The mainstream media has covered the Kony 12 campaign this week and he found out about it through Facebook. Because I am a news junkie, I was already familiar with the atrocities of the Lord’s Resistance Army. But, through social networking, my son and daughter also now know. So do their friends, as do the parents, friends, relatives and co-workers of these children.

The last thing any regime wants is a viral campaign. Too bad. It’s already happened though Kony 2012.

Word is spreading about Joseph Kony. Children have a unique bond no matter where they come from. They are protective of each other and in this case, rightly so. They, as the adults I know, do not understand how Kony or anyone like him can do this to another human being. But, as history shows us, insane, sick people have walked the earth for thousands of years. And sick people will follow their rhetoric and act in unspeakable ways.

While we certainly cannot control others, we can stand up and speak up. You will fail Joseph Kony as will your LRA. It may not happen over night, but it will happen. You will also be judged by God. If I had my way, someone on earth would provide the justice sooner rather than later.

Posted in Children, Facebook, God, Navy Seals, Parenting, Service , , , , , , , | No Comments »
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