US Nationalism…
I like to consider the US the best country in the world, but why? It is because of the ideals written into the Declaration of Independence and into our evolving Constitution. There can be little doubt the words are high meaning.
“We believe that all men are created equal”
Our definition of men has changed over the years to include people of all races, creeds, means of worship, and sexuality. The constitution and the law of the land has been amended to clearly state this. This to me is a high standard, which as a people we have had a difficult time living up to the standard we created.
Now we have left bare how little some of us believe the definition of men is. By trying to frame the words in the historical context of our forefathers, we lessen our ideals. We weaken our position and we lack backbone to lead in the future. We are in danger of our great democracy imploding.
Mt Rushmore
What is a more relevant monument than Mt Rushmore?
Two of the four presidents featured on Mt Rushmore were slave owners. George Washington was the general who lead us through our revolution for freedom from England’s oppression. Our first president and worthy of much praise when he insisted that 2 terms as president where enough, more would create a different type of despot. His example is an important part of the history of this country. His slaves are a stain on how we remember him which must not be overlooked.
Thomas Jefferson was our 3rd president and author of our Declaration of Independence. The words “all men are created” are from his pen. He is rightly celebrated as a forefather. While unsuccessful, he championed the gradual emancipation of African-American slaves. Sally Hemings was his slave and mistress after the death of his wife. She bore him at least 4 children, two he allowed to escape and two he freed as part of his will. He trained the slaves he freed in order that they would be successful on their own.
Teddy Roosevelt is on Mt Rushmore because of his zeal for preservation. Abraham Lincoln for his accomplishments during the Civil War. He was a proponent of the amendment which freed the slaves in the rebellious states. Both men felt that are African American brothers were inferior and their attitudes have led to the systemic racism that we now must face.
We are a nation of laws…
More than any other aspect of this country, this is important. We must live within the law. Our leaders must as well. Failure to uphold the law at the highest level’s will defeat our high ideals.
Mt Rushmore sits on land appropriated from the Lakota Sioux illegally. To not recognize this is to forget our ideals. While some may think that might makes right, that is not the basis of our constitution. The Black Hills including Mt Rushmore were given to the Lakota Sioux by treaty. Our word must be our bond both with our own people, in order to influence the free world.
We must find a way to right this wrong.
The importance of history…
History is only important in the relationship of how it shapes our future. It must not define our future, nor should it change our resolve to continuously improve our nation, to set an example for the world. Right now we are losing the high ground. This must end for us to lead the world into freedom.
As with the right to protest, by burning the flag, we can not let statues which represent oppression continue to be celebrated. Those should not be the ideals of our future. We must celebrate those who have forwarded our ideals. Our forefathers were unable to define “all men” as we must today. They created a compromise in order to create our union. Yes, we must recognize the history, but we must proceed in the future with our new inclusive definition of “all men.”
Our constitution created a union based on compromise. Our leaders must be willing to go forward, discuss the issues with civility, and create solutions that address all vital needs. The need to protect each human life is important, but in order to get to that point, we must correct laws and actions which suppress those who are different because of race, religion, sexuality or circumstance. We must create institutions which encourage dialog, promote opportunity for all and does not create a society based on have and have not.
While remembering “all men” are created equal.
We can not forget, that no one is perfect.
Hence everyone must remember to forgive and move on.
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