HISTORY OF AMERICA –
Long ago, the world was ruled by kings and monarchies who created wars and conquests. People were placed in classes and were not allowed to make their own decisions. Dynasties were popular and power was transferred within families. The rulers ruled their nations with an iron fist and the inhabitants were forced to follow them or harsh consequences would be executed. Citizens who were not close to the king or worked in the service of the king, were considered peasants without power or authority. At birth, peasants were expected to submit to the king’s authority, whether fair or unjust, and were never allowed a high-ranking position. They were farmers who were not allowed to own land and a large part of their livestock and crops was owed to the king. The inhabitants were also not allowed to practice their own religion, support another leader, and were subject to anyone who classified them in the kingdom. Personal ambition, change, and the opportunity to grow and develop were unheard of outside of the King. Myths, wizards, and sorcery were common practice, and decision makers never investigated the truths.
After hundreds of years of dullness and stagnation of humanity; Visionaries, dreamers and philosophers emerged. Philosophers spread their dreams and visions on the streets and wrote them down in books for all to read. I dreamed of a world that was not flat, full of aspirations and interesting. In another speech I had a vision that one day the world would be free from tyranny and allowed to worship as it pleased. Still another spoke. I dreamed of a world that would embrace different cultures and exercise social justice. Philosophers inspired early explorers, like Magellan, who proved that the world was round. They inspired Christopher Columbus to explore new horizons; finally landed in a new and unknown land. The philosophers also inspired the pilgrims to come to the new land to practice their own religion, their own land, and live better. Philosophers inspired our ancestors, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison, to write the Declaration of Independence. We are a people for the people and governed by the people. They also inspired Gandhi from India, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela from South Africa to fight for equality for all people.
By faith, America was born as a distant land of free people who dreamed. The news of this great nation spread like wildfires throughout the world. Immigrants, settlers, and refugees came from all over Spain, Great Britain, France, Japan, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Germany, and Korea. They were different and no longer fit the principles that governed their nations. They came to escape harsh rulers who wielded strict punishment and brutal wars for rebellions. They came to escape the caste system that enviably kept them in poverty from generation to generation. They came in search of a better life and the opportunity to live freely and prosper. Each brought a new culture of languages, music and food, clothing styles, dance, and stories. They were also entrepreneurs, actors, inventors, scientists, musicians, and writers who changed the world. Procter and Gamble said that we will be an innovative company and that it will make life easier for our customers. Michael Jackson said that I will become the youngest star to sing, and Tyler Perry said that I will write films that show a side of black America that has yet to be seen. The Wright brothers from England said we’re going to fly. Henry Ford said that we are going to build a car that has a gasoline engine. Thomas Edison said I am going to build a light bulb and Alexander Graham Bell said I am going to make a telephone that transmits electronic sounds. Scientists from different nations created life-saving medicines, spaceships, for the Internet. Each nationality that came to the new land brought a remarkable element that made the world better and more interesting.
Is there still room in the world for world changers? Will people dare to be different and stand out? Where will the next transformers of the world come from? Will they be rich, poor, young, old, homemaker, Ethiopian college graduates? Or Bangladesh? Maybe the next world changer is you. I’m sure President Barack Obama believed in world changers when he signed the American Jobs Act. The law legalizes the crowdfunding that brought Wall Street to Main Street. Now people like me and you can fund and raise money to support world changers. A world changer can now emerge with a great vision or unique dream supported by as little as $ 1 million of followers. Crowdfunding sites are increasing in number to support different types of world changers such as small businesses and nonprofits, new talents such as musicians, book writers, scientists, and other creative projects. Kick starter, Rocket hub, Peer backers, Profounder, and Quirky are some of the most popular. All over the world, the emerging world changers are holding up their banners saying believe in me, support me.