As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, I cannot help but consider that it would be an imperfect sentence to say the event was a signature moment for the country and nation in which we live.
For, in truth, America the land—the country—was here for many a millennia before white settlers forced their will on its prior inhabitants. And we were not and never have been a nation of common traits, origins, creeds, beliefs. Our governments—local, state and federal—have a history of denying liberties and rights to residents, whether they be citizens or original inhabitants of the land, many of whom belonged to nations of their own.
There is much to be proud of in the history of the United States. In Government. Commerce. Science. Education. Defense. Entertainment. Medicine.
There is much to be thankful for in these United States of America, even though “united” would not be an apt description of the state of our union.
But there has been much—too much— that has besmirched our reputation as the land of the free, the home of the brave.
One wonders in this land of unbridled opportunity, especially for those fortunate to be swaddled in the right skin tone and cushioned with family and business connections, at what point does the phrase “I have enough” come into their conscious brain? Do they ever encounter the majority of Americans who work hard but still find it difficult to properly feed and educate their families, who are one tragic illness away from utter despair, who seek shelter that is their own, unencumbered by debt? And if they do meet or even just see them, what do they think? Did America fail those downtrodden or were they intrinsically responsible for their sorry lot?
Capitalism is a wondrous economic formulation. But it has its limitations. Throughout our history we have exploited the voluntary and involuntary immigrant—Africans, Chinese, Irish, Southern Italians, Jews, South Americans. And from the get-go, Native Americans.
Even after legislation, constitutional amendments and Supreme Court decisions, equality and accessibility of opportunity, of education, of housing, of medical care are rare and, sadly, often rebuffed by the very officials we thought we elected to balance America’s abundance.
The United States might have been founded by men (yes, just men, just white men, mostly all Protestant) aspiring to high ideals, but they too were imperfect souls. They did, after all, sanction slavery and ascribed the value of a slave to be “three-fifths of all other persons.”
The arc of history does not look with promise on a democratic republic lasting much beyond this 250th birthday.
Yet, for all its imperfections, America has demonstrated an ability to mutate from despair to joy. It requires civics education beginning in grade school, values that accept individualism that do not subordinate collective good, and a commitment to participate in our heritage of voting for local, state and national leaders.
Beyond the pageantry, we must learn to live in community, to celebrate our freedom to do so, and to renew our commitment to extend our ideals beyond our borders.
I know it’s hard to achieve. Easier to write. But 250 years ago the founders embarked on a journey that could cost them their lives. We have a responsibility to honor their commitment.
