Let Us Continue
On Wednesday, American democracy experienced words that haven’t been spoken in this country in association with an election for 150 years: “coup d’état,” “sedition,” and “insurrection.” Whatever word you choose, it was, in short, one of the foulest deeds of our time—an attempt to overrule the will of the people. At the same time, no words are sad enough to express our collective sense of distress.
Make no mistake: January 6, 2021, will go down as a both dark and hopeful day. The question is, even as this short period of time in our nation’s history ends, which path of the story will prevail? Will America descend into an even darker and more divided period? Or will we find the strength and determination to continue the hopeful road this country started down in 2008?
Yesterday demonstrated that while, yes, there is real danger, there is also real opportunity.
We have the power, and the responsibility, to chart a different course by rising in defense of the promise of our nation. To do that, we have to translate our dreams into action. We dream of education for all of our children, of jobs for all who seek them and need them, we dream of providing help to those that need it, and we dream of an all-out attack on poverty and poor health. Above all, we dream of equity for all Americans, whatever their race, religion, color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation. These and other American dreams have to be energized by our drive and by our dedication.
This moment commands what our existence as an organization is committed to: connecting people to the lives they dream of. This is how we move forward. To do that, we must carry on the fight against poverty, misery, ill-health, and ignorance on our own.
Above all, we dream of equity for all Americans, whatever their race, religion, color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation. These and other American dreams have to be energized by our drive and by our dedication.
We will serve the entire nation, not one section, one sector, or one group, but all Americans. We will do our part to help Americans of whatever race, religion, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or political belief understand and respect one another. And in doing so, we will help put an end to the teaching and preaching of hate and evil and violence. Let us turn away from the fanatics of the political left and the right, from the apostles of bitterness and bigotry, from those defiant of law, and those who pour venom into our nation's bloodstream.
We are the United States: A united people with a united purpose. But this does not mean our American unity depends upon unanimity. Of course, we have differences; this past year has starkly laid them bare. But now, as in the past, we can derive from those differences' strength, not weakness or despair. Both as a people and as a government, we can unite upon a program that is wise and just, enlightened, and constructive.
On January 21, 1961, John F. Kennedy told the people of this country that our national work would not be finished "in the first thousand days, nor in the life of [his] administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet." "But," he said, "let us begin."
Today, as we let this be a moment of new resolve, I would say to all of you, “Let us continue.”
This is our challenge—not to hesitate, not to pause, not to linger over this evil moment, but to continue on our course so that we may not only achieve our vision of Alluma, but achieve the dreams of all Americans.
The need is here. The need is now. I ask for your help.
Robert Phillips leads the strategic direction, fiscal stewardship, daily operations, and overall management of Alluma as CEO. A healthcare advocate and philanthropist, Robert joined the Board of Alluma (then Social Interest Solutions) in 2006, and became President of the Board and CEO in 2017. Follow Robert on LinkedIn and Twitter.