by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

United We Stand

Official portrait of Vice President Joe Biden in his West Wing Office at the White House, Jan. 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

Our best days still lie ahead. Together we will choose hope over fear, unity over division, and truth over lies.

Joe Biden

Statue of Liberty, Photo by Joel Naren from Unsplash

United We Stand

We Americans are a strong people.

We will reclaim our democracy

and restore the American dream.

“Equal…under the law,”

“endowed…with…unalienable rights…

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,”

“a government of laws, not of men.”

“United we stand, divided we fall…”

United we stand.

Please see the sources for the quotes used in this poem at the end of the post.

Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia

Flag of the United States of America, Photo by Elements 5 Digital from Unsplash

Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Sources of Quotes in the Poem, “United We Stand”

“Equal Justice under the Law” adapted from the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Inscribed on the front of the US Supreme Court building.

“endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” President Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.

“government of laws, not of men” President John Adams

“United we stand, divided we fall.” Origin unknown. Motto of the State of Kentucky

71 Comments

  2. Well done Cheryl, and I’ve been watching the events unfold this week, and hopefully there will be some normality returning soon, and the people of America can again be a part of a honest democracy… 🇺🇸💙🌏

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    1. Ivor, I am glad you like the post. ❤ Yes the world is watching. I have felt deeply embarrassed by the behavior of our president and appalled by the divisions of our country during the last four years.

      In a way, the events of this week are having a positive effect. Things have gone too far! Many die-hard supporters are deserting the sinking ship. I think we are in for a difficult transition, but I have high hopes that normality will return in time. Thank you for your good wishes. All the best! ❤ ❤ ❤

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      1. Yes I think you are right Cheryl, via the way of the President’s outrageously inciting misdemeanors, there will be a backlash of positive attitudes towards the future of America and the incoming President… I’m afraid Trump actions over last few weeks have been amazingly inconsiderate and petulant….

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    1. Thank you so much, Cindy! Your kind remarks mean a lot to me. I think we will all breathe a sigh of relief after the inauguration. It is remarkable the lengths to which some people will go! It may take a while, but I think things will gradually return to normal. ❤

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      1. You’re so welcome Cheryl!!!! It’s a little like childbirth at the moment but yes, I am hopeful! It is shocking really the lengths people will go. I’m with you here all the way! ❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️

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    1. Yes, obviously, he needs help in leaving! He appears to be becoming increasingly delusional and dangerous and may be beyond help for that! Yes, Americans face many challenges, but I think we are equal to the task. 🙂 Thank you so much, Kate, for your concern and your prayers! ❤ Hope all is well with you.

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  7. Dignity will be returned to the White House with Biden’s win. The election was truly a battle of good versus evil. I was deeply concerned about the outcome. In true Hollywood fashion, good managed to prevail in the end. Much work remains to repair the damage.

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      1. When I watched environment activist Greta Thunberg’s speech in the UN…I feel that she was pointing out towards the President Donald Trump.

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    1. Thank you, Lokesh, for your interest in Thomas Jefferson. In my view, he was a fascinating character: diplomat, scientist, founding father of the US, author of the Declaration of Independence, third President of the US, founder of the University of Virginia. A man of many talents and many interests, he played the violin, and he introduced ice cream and pasta to America from France.

      Jefferson was complex, a man of his times. Though he strongly condemned slavery, he owned about 600 slaves. He had intended to free his slaves on his death, but most of them had to be sold to pay his debts. Jefferson had a very controversial personal life. After his wife’s death, he had a longstanding common law marriage with his slave, Sally Hemings. His bi-racial descendants still hold family reunions today.

      If you ever have an opportunity, you should visit Thomas Jefferson’s beautiful home, Monticello. It includes a small museum of objects collected by Jefferson. I highly recommend that you read Thomas Jefferson’s biography. You might also find movies or videos about him online.

      All the best! ❤

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      1. The reason why I asked this question is that is previous year, we have a topic named ‘America’s struggle for Independence’, I have read about main leaders of that time the President George Washington and the President Thomas Jefferson.
        I am a university student at Benaras Hindu University. I jave dream of establishing a university in which a child can be entertained from his birth to life time. He or she should have a freedom to do whatever courses and skills they want to learn.

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      2. It is little bit funny but I want a peaceful place where I can live my life with other learners…and we together enjoy the process of learning and exploring the world.

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      3. Although I look like a child but I want to be the President of a great-modern-cultured Indian University. I want to leave the world like that.

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    2. Are you familiar with the work of Maria Montessori? She was a pioneer of self-directed learning.

      Lokesh, I wish you all the best! You have high ideals and a hopeful vision for the future. I wish you every success in helping to make the world a better place. ❤

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  11. A powerful post to counteract the uncertainty, violence and fear that I’ve been seeing in the news the the shocking events of the Capitol riots recently. I really, truly do hope that Biden can restore faith and hope, and make some positive changes over there. xx

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  12. Many on both sides are often guilty of putting their faith and hope in a president or leader. I think we saw that with MAGA movement. I hope we don’t see it again in another form now. There is only One who will bring true hope, unity and restoration… Jesus Christ! Until then, I pray for our nation, our world, and our president… even if he or she may not be the candidate I preferred. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior…”

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    1. Thank you for your thoughtful comment, William. My hope going forward, is that we can all respect each other and work together. Citizens of both parties, citizens of all races and all religions have equal rights and all have a contribution to make.

      I think you are absolutely right that we should not put our blind faith and loyalty in our leaders.” We are a nation of laws, not of men.” I also believe that our allegiance to country is secondary to the dictates of conscience. To me, “my country, right or wrong” is a dangerous ideology. Countries are not great in isolation; they are great as they take their place in the world, working together for peace, preservation of the environment, and the welfare of all mankind.

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    1. Thank you, Michel, for your vote of confidence in the USA. I am a great admirer of the Statue of Liberty and have visited her several times in NYC. When we were on a river cruise in Paris many years ago, we passed Bartholdi’s scale model for the statue. I am a huge fan of this beautiful gift from France which reminds us of our shared values and friendship. One of my favorite places to visit when we lived in DC was the Bartholdi fountain in the National Botanical Gardens on Capitol Hill. The French certainly deserve their reputation for beautiful art and design!

      All the best to you!
      Love ❤
      Cheryl

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    1. Thanks, JoAnna! Glad you liked the post. I was so outraged and upset that it took me a while to post something. I threw my first, very negative, draft away. Then I decided to post something that defined Americans as a people. Your post on the subject was very sane and comforting. I appreciated it very much! Yes, I think we are up for the challenge! ❤ All the best!

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