Where are we going back to?

Questions about Making America Great (Again)

I woke up this morning and wanted to write down some of the thoughts swirling in my head. There is nothing earth-shattering or insightful, but I find it helpful to put these thoughts down and clear my head so that I have some coherence at a time when the division in our country is as great as it has been in my lifetime. I also like to gather my thoughts to discuss our country’s state of affairs with my children.

I know division is nothing new in this country because it has been a key element going back to our origin story, where a group of wealthiest white men in the land created the foundational documents of our government. So, I do take pause when people talk about their concerns about the current interpretations of said documents not being interpreted the way the founding fathers intended, remembering that the great majority of these white men owned other human beings while also giving zero voice in governance to women.

Fast forwarding to the current time, my biggest question for many people surrounds the slogan Make America Great Again. Hey, on the surface, without considering history, this sounds great. Rah! Rah! Rah! Let’s go! Let’s be great again! Who wouldn’t want this? But, let me pump the breaks here because words are important, and I have questions about one word here, the word again.

My questions are: Where do you want to go back to? What time in this country’s past? Do you have a decade in mind? What are the conditions we are looking to revisit? I would also have some questions about how you quantify the word great because I want to know what makes something great. In regards to a great country, I want to know the things that make it great. What conditions and opportunities are available for all of its citizens? How do we take care of those who struggle? How do we create conditions to leave it better than we found it?

Returning to one of our founding documents, the U.S. Constitution, I absolutely love the phrase “We the People.” I interpret “We” to mean everyone, all Americans. Did you know that Gouverneur Morris, the man credited with writing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, was an outspoken abolitionist? Unfortunately, these words, as I read them, are just aspirational. We have never had time in this country where all citizens have had equitable access and opportunity.

I remain hopeful that we can continue to move forward with the promise that “We the people” will someday embrace the humanity of every American. Unfortunately. dehumanization and hate continue based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, and other diverse backgrounds. If not, fear, anger, and hate towards others will be our demise. These are not sustainable states of being for healthy individuals or healthy nations.