America’s Semiquincentennial Celebration: A Reflection

                In the year 1976, I graduated from High School. 1976 was the year the United States celebrated the bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The opening paragraph of the Declaration announces that something momentous is happening in the course of human events:

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

With this Declaration the American colonies, now states, announced that they were separating from the mother country (United Kingdom). The Declaration lists the reasons for this separation, concluding with this statement:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Between the opening paragraph and the concluding statements, including the statement of grievances, there is this statement that has served as what some call the American Creed.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. 

Back in 1976, the nation seemed excited about the prospects of this celebration. Even though it was an election year, which would decide whether President Gerald Ford would get a full term of his own after being the first President to have first served as the appointed Vice President, or whether the former governor of Georgia and peanut farmer, Jimmy Carter, would be the victor. Since eighteen-year-olds had just been given the right to vote, this would be my first election. In addition, the United States was at peace, at least for a moment. The divisive and disastrous Vietnam War had ended a few years earlier, and the stain of Watergate was still present, but efforts had been made to address concerns about corruption in politics. Unfortunately, we watched this past week one more of those reforms going by the wayside. As for my high school, we pulled out all the stops. Our music program put on a major extravaganza. The band added a drum and fife corps, and a special color guard dressed in Revolutionary-era uniforms to lead the parades (I was one of its members). All told, recognizing the problems that go with nostalgia, it seemed like the future was bright.

                It’s July 2, 2026. Independence Day is just a few days in the future. We should be excited that the nation is celebrating 250 years of its existence. We should be celebrating our national creed:  We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Even if this creed is more aspirational than embodied, it does hold the promise that at least in this nation, everyone, no matter their religion, ethnicity, origin, or gender, is considered equal. Now it’s true that the Founders' vision was limited. Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of this document, was a slave owner. The men, yes, they were all men, gathered in Philadelphia for this meeting didn’t include Native Americans or the majority of people of African ancestry who were enslaved or women who lacked the right to vote. Nevertheless, the principle is profound. Unfortunately, it seems as if we’re pulling back from that vision of equality for all humans, who are endowed with certain inalienable rights.

                Like many, I’m worried about the future of our democracy. Division, polarization, and coarseness are rampant. It’s not as if things were perfect in the past, because they weren’t. But things aren’t getting better. Hard-fought victories for women, people of color, and LGBTQ folks are being eroded. The welcome sign that is affixed to the Statue of Liberty is being ignored, as efforts are underway to rid the nation of immigrants, people who have made this country a place of welcome for all. Now, the doors are being closed, especially to people who come from the Global South, the Middle East, and Asia. I count myself fortunate to live in an increasingly diverse community. My friendship circle includes Jews, Muslims, and Hindus, as well as Christians and people of no religious belief. My life is enriched by the diversity that is present in this country. It’s something we should celebrate, not bemoan. It is fitting to remember one of Ronald Reagan’s final statements as President (and President Reagan was no liberal):

“Since this is the last speech that I will give as President, I think it's fitting to leave one final thought, an observation about a country which I love. It was stated best in a letter I received not long ago. A man wrote me and said: ``You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or a Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.”

                I won’t be around for the nation’s tricentennial, but I hope there will be much to celebrate, as a diverse nation embraces its possibilities, including the promise of freedom, and its inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people!