We the People
...here on this significant national birthday, we begin to consider a radical reboot of the American experiment
“I still dream America. I dream of safe streets in which children can play, and on which all can drive without fear; I dream of an economy that works for all of us; that food, clothing, healthcare and shelter can be something we can all count on. I dream of a multiracial, democracy filled with people of many faiths and of no faith. I dream my grandchildren, and all the little people I know will inherit cleaner air, and cleaner politics. I dream the promise of liberty and justice for all will be fulfilled in their lifetimes, that their children will inherit a promised kept.” Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Fierce Love
I’ve stepped away from news of the world for a little bit, stepped away from the constant barrage of insanity. Instead I’ve closeted myself with books and ideas and words about other things that interest me; whiled away time puttering around in my flower garden; stood under a shade tree and talked to a neighbor. I have to do this once in a while in order to save my sanity – however, it does not mean I’ve forgotten it or am no longer interested in what’s happened and is happening to the nation.
I have to be interested because I am deeply, irrevocably invested in America’s future. I don’t mean financially invested (although there is that of course) but from an ancestral perspective. I have deep roots in the history of this country –patriot roots, dating as far back as Revolutionary War. Slaveholder roots. Immigrant roots.
Most importantly, I have two critical hostages to fortune – my son and my grandson – who represent all that exists of my particular contribution to humanity. I am adamant that my children not only survive, but thrive.
The patriot values enshrined in the founding documents are very noble, but the truth is, if you really look at the history of this country we have not upheld them with any degree of devotion. Noble ideas don’t mean any more than the parchment they were scratched out upon unless they are upheld in deed as well as thought and word. Beginning with the genocide of Indigenous Americans, continuing with kidnapping and enforced slavery of Black people, discrimination against all people of color, villianizing immigrants, LGBTQ, and differently abled; violence against women and denial of their rights…not really a picture of liberty and justice for all, is it? When you’re a privileged white, middle class, Christian person -like me- it’s all too easy to pretend none of that happened.
Now, here we are at a 250th birthday with the most corrupt, morally bankrupt, and thoughtless administration ever in our history, using their positions of power to rape ordinary people in every way, to aggrandize themselves, to imperil the existence of our entire country and the very land its built on.
Hard words to write. Harder words to see being put into action.
If we want to celebrate today, let’s celebrate the fact that a fighting spirit is rising among modern day patriots who call for better. They are standing up, speaking out, taking action in politics, law, religion, science, entertainment, and all the arts. They are organizing, building infrastructure, bringing action and radical new ideas to light.
Oh, there’s a scary word – radical. But the patriots who laid the groundwork for this country over 250 years ago were radical thinkers of the highest order. The very idea of a Democracy such as they were proposing was unheard of anywhere in the world. I celebrate those patriots for making a good effort.
But. Maybe it’s time for an American radical rethink. A radical reboot. What do we 21st century Americans do when our computers get infected with malware? We shut them down. Clear the cache of destructive material and junk. Restart.
Every citizen can contribute to that process with one simple act. VOTE. It’s the way you express your vision for a nation that prioritizes its original vision of liberty and justice for all. Your vote is your voice.
Use it. It’s the most powerful tool you have for creating a new future.
As a writer, a reader, and a contemplative, I tend to (over)think my way through things. But throughout history, thinkers, artists, and contemplatives offered meaningful perspectives that invite questions and inspire possible answers.
Below, I refer you to some of those voices I met just this morning here on Substack. They are a few of the many change makers already at work.
I don’t know where we’ll be as nation when our next milestone “birthday” rolls around. I know I won’t be here to see it. I can only hope wisdom, compassion, justice, and mercy will be its prevailing values, and its leaders will be chosen for their dedication to every one of them.
Parker Palmer, who reminds us in his essay this morning: “The first act of citizenship is to incline our hearts again and again toward love, truth and justice, saying no to all that stands against them. Every day in every way, the choice is in our hands.”
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, at Fierce Love, who invites us to join Next250, a nationwide, multi-year initiative using the 250th anniversary of the United States as an opportunity to demonstrate our unity as a people around shared values and issues, and imagine and build a future for our country for the next 250 years that is rooted in justice, belonging, dignity, democracy, and interdependence.
Diana Butler Bass, at The Cottage, who shares this poem by Rosemary Wahtola Trimmer
I want to hear America singing
all those varied carols you mentioned.
But it’s noise now, Walt, more shouting
than song. As if volume makes a leader.
Any singer knows being louder
just makes discord, and harmony
needs constant attunement
to every other singer.
I want to hear America listening.
Want a citizen chorus that knows
our voices are only as good as our ears.
I want a new song that begins
with a silence that stretches
from sea to shining sea —
the kind of silence that holds
every one of us, every part of us.
And when the many parts do arise,
glorious in their differences,
I want to hear inside them
the careful attention that tunes
them to each other, I want to hear
in our song the deep listening that makes
even the most uncomfortable dissonance
beautiful.— Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer