I was reading the column in The Daily News, written in the weekend edition, Jan. 26-27, 2019, by Michael Reagan that talks about something that is one of President Donald Trump’s favorite quotes: “Make America Great Again.”

Reagan blasted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the rookie house member from New York because she said that she would like to see free healthcare, free college tuition for everyone, and a tax increase for all millionaires. Reagan stated that he thought she believed these views would make America great again. Reagan stated that because of these values Ms. Cortez poses no treat to President Trump, the Republican Party, or America, because the American voters — especially the older ones of both parties — remember when America was great.

Mr. Reagan, you and Mr. Trump keep talking about making America great again. My question to you and Mr. Trump is, when was America great? What century, decade, year, month or day?

I think I am old, if not older than you and Mr. Trump, and I can’t remember America ever being great. Was it great when they first took it from the American Indians? Was it great before the Civil War when Blacks were treated less than human? Was it great after the Civil War when the KKK terrorized Blacks for trying to stand up for rights that they thought they had won?

Maybe it was great during the 50s and 60s during the Civil Rights movement when our Black leaders were murdered one by one? Maybe it was great in the 80s and 90s when women and gays started to fight for their equal rights?

Tell me, Mr. Reagan or Mr. Trump, when you speak of a great America, who are you speaking of or to? We would like to know.

The only time America can ever be great is when all of God’s children will be considered equal, regardless of sex, creed, color or religion. I do not have a high school diploma and don’t have a lot of money. Does that make me less than a man that has a college degree and has a lot of money?

I am a volunteer in the community, trying to make our community a better place to live. Several weeks ago, some Blacks and Whites marched to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday. We honor this great man on this day yearly and dishonor him the rest of the year, by doing nothing to make the world or our communities a better place to live.

Dr. King left us with a message that said, “We must keep moving until the battle is won.” Dr. King said, “Fly, run, walk or crawl, but keep moving.” If Dr. King could speak to us today, he would probably say something like this: My people, if you are going to march, you should not march in celebration on my behalf, you should be marching for justice and equality for all. Then I will know that the movement is still moving forward. Then and only then can I begin to rest.

Dr. King’s dream was for America to teach our children to love and respect each other, and then there would be no more hate. Then, and only then, can America become a great America.

Floyd Timmons

Bogalusa