Much has been said, and indeed there has been much to lend credence to the arguments that the American society is deeply divided. The old often have made it clear that they mistrust the young — the young in their unique ways make equally clear their disaffection with the values treasured by their parents. Black people, in a world three quarters colored, still search for opportunities long denied in a predominantly white America. The affluent are not eager to share the bounties of this land. And the poor of every race and creed nurse hostilities inflamed by ignorance and misfortune. These are the ingredients with which this country must work in creating what we yearn for — a sense of unity.
Surely it is apparent even to the least perceptive among us that unity is not a luxury in a pluralistic society, nor are we heavily invested with it. In fact, the opposite is true. Moreover, the time remaining for us to strengthen the tenuous fabric we like to call an orderly and democratic society, a society in which all men and women are supposedly privileged to govern themselves, is steadily being depleted.
Some have despaired, it would seem, of the difficult task of reversing this downhill run, but to despair is to lose. In these times no individual really needs to surrender to despair or fright or over reaction. He can if he will but look find a wound to heal, a hunger to feed, a life to be lived.
It is, as the Prince of Peace said, a matter of love.
May we have Peace on Earth and I wish each of you the most joyous holiday season,
Mary Strom
From the Auxiliary Presidents Column on page three of the December 1970 issue of Westphal American Legion’s official SNAFU publication.
