Make America Kind Again

A homeless person in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile holds a sign “ make America kind again"

From 1892 to 1954, over 12 million immigrants entered the United States thru Ellis Island, a processing center, in New York’s harbor.  

In the two an a half centuries since America became an independent country 72 million immigrants have made the US home.  These individuals succeeded against all odds to make America a great nation. 

South Soudan is the newest country on planet earth.  In spite of being rich in oil over 100,000 people are facing starvation due to ethnic strife. In addition to South Sudan famine threatens 1.4 million children in Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen according to UNICEF.  While most of theses disasters are due to internal reasons how a great country like America, desist from providing humanitarian assistance to fellow human beings and thus decrease their suffering. 

While we all want America to remain great there are indigents in its inner cities who own so little and depend on generosity for survival.  Four of Chicago’s historic hospitals that provide free care to the needy are Old Cook County Hospital (front left), the new CCH (front right), UIC hospital (back left) and the VA (back right), all of which are uplifting examples of America’s civic vigor.  I was fortunate to observe the good care provided by companionate staff in these public institutions as I worked at UIC, VA and CCH hospitals between the years 1971 and 1992.