A Historical Week - 1/20/09

What a historical week; the memorializing of Martin Luther King's 80th birthday, the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America, and the 36th anniversary date of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade! There is certainly a plethora of social, ethical, and moral fodder produced from a reflection of these events and even moreso when considered together.

All of the ceremonies, parades, discussions, and celebrations of this week are linked by the basic issue of the respect of human life. The historical election of the 44th president represents a social milestone in American history in erasing the stigma of racial quotas and insurmountable obstacles. Pro Obama or not, Barack Obama is now our president and is afforded all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities as our President. His election sets a new standard that says to all races that achievement is possible and excuses are outdated. The fact that such a historical inauguration is spoken about in the same vain as the day set aside to honor Dr. King's and in the same week as Roe v. Wade emphasizes the importance of the value of life, at all levels and in all forms.

History is often made by men and women whose actions and commitments were so influential in what they did or said or wrote that it had to be recorded and embraced by others. A fact that is inescapable to the celebrations of this week is that the mother's of these two men respected life from its beginning and had these two mothers not our history today would be different.
Some may ask, how these three events and their subsequent anniversaries and celebrations are related. For me- it is quite simple. These dates point to our responsibilities as citizens and the responsibility that we each have to respect and protect the sanctity of life- life in all colors, at all levels of development, social class, and all abilities.

While the practical application of these events may differ in secular focus, it is clear in my mind that to honor one is to honor the other. How can one march for, sing for, or demand equality for the races but not stand up for, speak for, and protect those who cannot stand, speak, or protect themselves- our unborn?

So as we recognize and celebrate these historical landmark dates of our lifetime- stop for a moment and ask how these dates have impacted our society and in what ways have we, as responsible citizens, promoted the sanctity of human life, in all forms, in all colors, and in all ages. The day that we as a society can do that will truly be a date to memorialize and celebrate.

God Bless,
Craig P. Taffaro, Jr.