3 Ways to be an American Revolutionary in the New Millennium

We all have read the history books. Americans are fighters. We have a lot of nerve and willingness to stand up for what we believe, whether that would be crossing a great sea to come to America, or fighting the "Red Coats" or marching for civil rights. But what about now? How do we Americans fight for what we believe in? How do we stand up in the new millennium?

The first thing we can do is participate in the revolution that has been going on since early voting started about 2 weeks ago. Never in modern history have the voting booths seemed so full. Our forefathers fought with weapons and lost their lives so that we would have the privilege to fight with our voices, not our fists. Americans have been revolting for the last 2 weeks, standing up and being heard. We don’t all stand behind the same candidate, but we all stand together for democracy. The very first way to be a revolutionary is to use your vote to stand up for what you believe.

Another way we can revolt is to remember that we are all part of America’s crazy quilt of humanity. We are all races, religions and beliefs. Despite the differences in our votes, we all need to remember what our forefathers fought for. The right to be our own people, with our own dreams, our own pursuits, our own paths. Our votes, our voices may set some of us apart, but the biggest revolutionary move of all is for us to remember what our forefathers began. We are not the same, but most of our values are the same. We believe in the rights of the individual and the importance of community. If we remember we are more alike than different, that we can debate each other and still share space together and respect each other, then the revolution of our forefathers has truly succeeded and we can carry their torch with pride.

Finally, a good revolutionary is not only word, but action. Together, we can bring our country to higher levels. How? We fight. But not with swords or guns or terse words. Not with anger and hatred. We fight together each day to strengthen our country. We fight with kindness to each other and respect. We fight with generosity, by giving to others, even when it is hard. We fight by trying to understand each other a little more, instead of pushing our own agendas.

If, every day, we do one kind act to a stranger, talk to one person we normally wouldn’t, reach into our pockets to help the members of our community, we are continuing the American Revolution, and will be honoring the sacrifices of our forefathers and foremothers. They gave so much for our freedom. Now we can take the revolution to a new level, by uniting our country with our voices, our kindness and our understanding.

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