For the last five years it has been my privilege to address issues critical to America in my weekly Epoch Times column.
These articles have complemented my presentations and a lifetime of dedication to principles which I believe are vital to America.
In my opinion, these principles include leadership, vigilance, collaboration, courage, compassion, community, character, and patriotism.
In an effort to crystalize these principles, I would like to summarize some salient points from the collection of my articles.
America’s Breath of Life, March 7, 2014
In my first article I covered a heart pounding life-or-death drama from a Florida expressway.Diversity: America’s Heartbeat, April 18, 2014
The article addresses various violations of human rights. I argued that diversity “expresses a true appreciation of the inestimable value of each human being and a respect for their beliefs.”In numerous follow up articles including “Racism in America: Time for Unity,” I stated that the racism experienced by the Tuskegee Airmen continues.
Principles of American Policing, May 1, 2015
The police-community tensions erupting nationwide, and the importance of building trust were addressed in an extensive collection of articles.Respecting current realities in America, I developed nine principles of American policing to enhance dialogue, communication, and unity between police and communities.
The principles stress that being pro-police and pro-community is inseparable. One of the principles also notes that “respect must be the heart of the police and it must be unwavering for the profession, colleagues, and community. Respect can only be earned through integrity, accountability, and transparency. These qualities build trust, legitimacy, and collaboration.”
Honoring American Immigrants: Family, Neighbors, Heroes, July 16, 2015
Due to the ongoing controversy of immigration, this article took a positive approach. It was a reminder that “America is a land of immigrants who enrich our nation with their talents, sacrifices, and character.”America’s 21st Century Teacher: Security, Character, Pedagogy, Aug. 28, 2015
Many of my articles addressed school and campus violence. In formulating a response, an integration of sound security measures, character education, and the preventative system of education was presented. All of these principles are essential and inseparable from addressing America’s culture of violence. Unfortunately, this understanding is often missed in a barrage of reactive training initiatives.This article encouraged the cultivation of the preventive system of education whereby “educators are vigilant in a caring manner and offer inspirational guidance from the heart consistent with kindness, character, and reasonableness.
Along with sound security measures and character education, this system is essential to school security and setting the right culture in educational communities.
America, Wake Up: Harden Your Soft Targets, Jan. 7, 2016
The continuous violent rampages throughout America were addressed in this article. It sounded the clarion call for police, private security, and citizens to prevent violence with an unwavering commitment to collaboration.Visionary American Leadership: Champion for the Poor, Dec. 29, 2016
This article addressed the universal message from the masterpiece novel “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens.By illustrating alarming issues of poverty in America, a moral call to visionary leadership to alleviate poverty was made.
American Government Requires Ethical Leadership, Jan. 5, 2017
America is at a crossroads and ethical behavior must be the foundation of the nation.America’s Opioid Crisis: The Heart of the Solution, April 7, 2017
This article was one of many addressing the scourge of the drug crisis wrecking devastation on individuals, families, and communities.Portraits of American Character Help Reawaken the Nation, Jan. 22, 2018
This article depicted individuals who personify lives of character.Character must be the heartbeat of America and must be resuscitated when necessary throughout the nation. This virtue represents the ideals of our country, the “better angels of our nature,” and the goodness of humanity.
Each person that is honored to call America home must continually reflect on living a life of character.
Final Reflections
Despite the challenges facing America, we are destined to be a beacon of character to the nations.May all of us be faithful to the ideals of our nation and continually enhance our commitment to reawakening the nation.
Let us renew America’s ideals by living lives built on the pillars of character, courage, and community.
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