It's that highly anticipated time of year. Rio Summer 2016 Olympic Games. The time where everyone is glued to their television watching athletes from all around the world complete for a medal. (or mostly just watching women's gymnastics because that is all that matters). It is also the time for powerful commercials to be released about the importance of hardwork, the greatness of our country, or the history of the Olympic Games. However, this one commercial rubbed me the wrong way. Watch for yourself.
It is a powerful commercial - yes. But, it is the words that appear on the screen that make me angry. "For 17 days. We are. UNITED." I understand what it was meaning to say. For 17 days we all watch the same show. For 17 days we all cheer on our countries' athletes. But, as a nation, we should be united for more than 17 days. We should be united 365 days a year, every year. We are called the United States of America. It is hypocritical if the only time we can stand united as a nation is when we are trying to bring back medals.
With all the s*** that has been going on in our country the last month, or even in the last year, it is this mindset that needs to be changed. I'm sorry for stepping on the toes of those who created this commercial but it is this attitude that will prevent change.
There is no calendar for united-ness! We do not need an athletic competition to bring us together. We do not need gold medals to create peace in our country. United should be something we are all born to accomplish. It should be second nature. Regardless of race, sexuality, religious affiliation, gender, age, or any "HUMAN characteristic that somehow makes someone less human than the other," we should always be united with each other. We should always stand up for one another. We should be willing to challenge what is making our country more divided.
Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the Olympics. I think it a great way to bring the world together. But it is a sad reality when all they are asking of us as a nation is 17 days of peace. 17 days of being non-racist. 17 days of being non-discrimnatory. 17 days. A little more than 2 weeks! I'm sorry but this is a joke. Why don't they challenge us to always be united. Always!
Let this be your call to action. You don't need a gymnast or a track and field star to be a united nation. Strive to be united each and every day.
