guardians of the galaxy The Star's Chris Pratt says in a new op-ed that he is committed to looking at the presidential election from both sides and calls on Americans of both parties to unite for the common good. Pratt's column, published on Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper website, was published three days before Election Day, when Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris to take back the White House. . Pratt is best known for his roles in series such as: Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World and Lego movie.
He refrained from endorsing either candidate. Also, her Marvel co-stars Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr., among others, did not participate in a video supporting Harris.
“I see things from both sides,” he says. I wrote. “We understand that people's lives and rights are at stake, and that millions of people feel ignored and invisible by their governments and are desperate for something to change. You may know me as Guardian of the Galaxy. I don't know, but I grew up in a small town in America with a mom and dad who worked hard to make ends meet. Our family was poor. We wore hand-me-down clothes. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I was living in my car.
“My life has changed significantly, but I am still trying to understand the election through the eyes of Americans on both sides,” he wrote. “I think on November 6th, where will we be as a country? How can we move forward after so much division? And some of the lessons sports can teach us are all of us… I've been thinking a lot about the same lessons that I learned from this.
High school sports taught him how to be an innocent loser, he wrote. He wrote that such lessons served him well throughout his life.
“I'm writing this now because about half of voters will be incredibly disappointed on November 6th. But for me, the question is, 'Did your candidate win? Did your candidate lose? It doesn't mean “What is it?” Or rather, “Would you please wake up the next morning and help grandma move?” It's okay to take a moment to lick your wounds when you lose. Go ahead and cry in the mirror. But if we become too paralyzed by defeat or too arrogant by victory, our loyalty to our “team” can blind us to the fact that we are fellow citizens. ”
No matter who wins the election, he said, there will be “people in this country who need help.”
“Please find them. Please be helpful,” he wrote. “America's greatness lies in the strength of our united communities. We see it in our houses of worship, in our Elks clubs, in our Rotary clubs, in our Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, and in our military personnel. Our strength is shaking hands with great sportsmen It's not just about those who walk the political aisle helping those in need. So be a good sport. We need you. Our country needs you. Team Red, Team Blue, and the team that “didn't even vote.” Your civic duty will be fulfilled only on November 5th, but the next day will require an even greater civic duty. It's about accepting the consequences and instead focusing on being present for each other.
“Check with your neighbors, especially if they voted for another man or woman,” Pratt added. “Ask how they're doing. See how you can help. Also, see if you know of any elderly ladies who need help getting around.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Kevin Winter/Staff
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
