A Safe Nation For All

The following is a speech written by James Hillhouse High School student Manuel Camacho III and republished from the magazine Elm City Sage.

America, in the words of President Lyndon B. Johnson, is ​“not merely a nation but a nation of nations.” It is within this nation of nations that we ask ourselves, ​“Are we safe from the threats of the world?” Before we can answer that question, we must ask, ​“Are we safe from ourselves?” To ensure the security and safety of this great nation, we must make sure that each and every one of us is contributing dedication, time and passion to promote the advancement and continuance of safety amongst each other.

We are brothers and sisters in arms, descendants of great people who fought for us to be here today. Let us not disregard all of their sacrifices and the service of our veterans. Let us make sure that our democracy, our human rights and our future are secured. I speak to you now in a time where it is our turn to fight the battle, not for us but for the future generations to come. It is our turn to make sacrifices so that we may guarantee a safer future for them.

If we show them that we simply stood complacent with all of the injustices surrounding our nation, it would be a shame on us. It would be a blow to the history of the fight and show the future generations that we did not fight the battle for a more equal and safe world. We are not only shaming the leaders that came before us and trusted us to continue the fight but we are letting down the children of tomorrow.

Do not let our generation go down in the history books as the generation that allowed the nation to crumble into madness and division. Do not make the mistake of sitting on the sidelines. You are needed on the frontlines of this fight because every voice must be heard with power.

Stand alongside one another and join hands on the frontlines.

Show the world that we shall stand hand in hand, joined in unity, heads held high, and our hearts set on change.

It is the actions of today that determine our tomorrow. My fellow Americans, do not be thwarted by the doubts and fears that present themselves when faced with adversity.

Let us show the world that we are a nation that was built on the courage, selflessness, determination, and sacrifices of men and women who, when faced with injustice, came to a new land and established an entire nation. So let us show the world that we follow in the footsteps of history’s leaders and take action for a safer tomorrow for all.

Thank you.

Elm City Sage is a new digital magazine published by New Haven Public Schools English teachers. The writers and artists featured in the magazine are high school students from schools throughout the district. The first edition came out on April 21. Read the full magazine here or here. High schoolers can submit their work at this website.

Read previous entries below.

• We Are Not Caterpillars