This is what family values are and why we all can get along

 

My Daughter had an engagement party at her new house.

Whew just look at the yard.

And I will use this event, not only To illustrate what a nice time we had.

But to show the world how well people can get along. To show all what family values are and how they are not an exclusive right of the right wing. But normal ways that people with sense proceed.

Cant we all just get along………..

Yes we can

Yes we can.

Look I am a widower; I have two natural children a son and a daughter. (I lost one kid long ago), ok I also have one adopted son who is Puerto Rican, and another who is Black and Puerto Rican. But was raised by an Egyptian step father and Muslim mother who lives in Dubai as we speak.

So he was raised thinking he was an Arab until he was 16 go figure

Anyway

My daughters boyfriend is Italian (Sicilian) and Cuban.

 

My family background

My father was a civil rights leader, he lead many of the demonstrations around New Jersey. And was one of the most powerful community leaders in the state of New Jersey for over fifty years

Yes Stephen Sampson was an Icon, and I grew up in what I jokingly say is one of the first Afro-centric households in America.

 

my father with Award and Mother Gran Ruby

I grew up in household full of Jewish radicals, communist, black militants, peace freaks and the rest and every one got along.

I grew up listening in person, to many of the nationally prominent civil rights leaders talking to my father in our living room.

They included, William Kunstler, Dick Gregory, a Noble prize winner

There were frequent dinners at my house with Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. Malcolm X, Clarence Williams the III, young lords and many more, came around.

As a child

I sang we shall over come

Out of the back of a van endlessly.

I laid across roadways to block traffic at my parent insistence.

So civil rights and liberation is in my blood.

When I hear people decry Rev. Wright, I think boy you really don’t know Black folks.

It sounded like my father teaching in Sunday school.

Anyway

So here is my background

My daughter is marrying into a great family.

A close family that loves and supports each other.

And these two families met for the first time and didn't miss a beat

we knew what we were there for

family

That loves their kids like we love our kids

And together we love this couple………….no ifs ands or butts

This is what values are

The ability to work toward a common good

Family, faith, and love

And yes we love America just as much as any one else

So let’s put aside our petty differences to embrace a new world

One that may scare us……but so what

So we have two sides, my friends and family came from all over.

My New York friends are a husband and wife who happen to be the parents of my God son. A mixed couple he Filipino she a Quaker with a bi racial son (my god son. Both radical left wingers…….. One works for one of the biggest aids organization in the world the other a teacher at a New York Museum. They had to bite their tongues they choked a bit but did it………..

You know the New York type.

My brother in Law, a premiere Aids Doctor who sets up aids clinics all over the world. My sister a motivational speaker, project manager and an executive, who has worked all over the country.

My youngest brother who works for one of the biggest investment banking firms in the world, stopped by for the event. On his way to India where he was going to set up a new company.

Along with my Aunt who at 85 is still one of the top educators administrators in the country. Who runs a foundation in New York that you would know if I carelessly mentioned its name.

Cousins from Mass, Doctors. D my favorite cousin and a lovely smart smart woman

Along with another brother in law, who is another computer wiz, who just so happened to have just retired from the National Guard?

This is the guy that set up the computer services for our military in Kuwait and the Middle East.

And my beautiful nieces all working and making them big bucks.

And my son Jason a some times raver who works in New York

Jason and sister

My step mother (really Mother) Gran ruby, which is….. Trust me still the activist wife of my father.

My best friends and brothers showed up

One black and a longshoreman for Obama.

One Italian and for McCain

brother in Law and Oldest brother on right

and they all got along

It’s in the commonality of life exp. That we find common ground

 

Every one is struggling

Ok it’s about

Seeing beyond the politics to how similar we all are

Ok so there is my family

The food was Italian and Cuban and Black and it merged and complimented each other.

I made a bunch of roast pork's by the way and the Cubans in the room loved it thank you

My new soon to be son in laws family.

All well established people from Staten Island. With various backgrounds.

And I mean the men were all Italian (soprano Italian) and proud and the woman their wives Cuban and proud.

My daughter’s mother in law ran the whole thing, with her cool Cuban self.

And she did an outstanding job.

I am a widower as I said and she stood in as a mother to my daughter and it brings tears to my eyes.

No the point her is

My family is all rabbi Obama supporters

My son in laws family discounting the art students in the family.

Are all McCain and Palin supporters

We are all cock sure about our choices and proud.

What does this mean?

Nothing really.

I can see beyond the politics to what American values truly are

They are family and helping each other and accepting the differences.

Not tolerating the differences

But embracing them and realizing how these differences make us all stronger

That these differences are what makes America the greatest country in the world

So as we fight about the election

Let’s not forget what really matters, family, friends and helping those that need help

My father used to say that “I am not anti-white I am just pro Black”

And he did this by including any one who was about his cause

My father had a ton of white folks who helped and supported him.

And at his death bed were his friends both black white and other.

It’s never been a problem for my family…….

I always understood that my love of America is what makes me fight it some times......

isn't that what America's all about

So anyway

Here is a view of what the world should be

How we all can get along

and learn from each other

Can’t we all just get along?

Yes we can

Yes we can

sorry i couldn't help it

really i couldn't ..................lol