America exists as an idea and experiment in self-government. On its 250th celebration of the colonies declaring independence from the British king, I'm replaying words of hope and a few with warnings.
Love this, Melissa. I was intending to write about the Preamble of the Constitution on FB. Didn't get there yet. The speeches, publications, photos all mean so much. I will celebrate July (with kids!) no matter what!
Doing the reading leading up to my writing, I became more and more convinced that as Honest Abe always believed the Declaration is our foundation and the Constitution, flawwed from its beginnings, are the homes we keep building on top of the foundation, shifting some of the rooms around and adding others as we evolve as Americans.
Love this, Melissa. I was intending to write about the Preamble of the Constitution on FB. Didn't get there yet. The speeches, publications, photos all mean so much. I will celebrate July (with kids!) no matter what!
Doing the reading leading up to my writing, I became more and more convinced that as Honest Abe always believed the Declaration is our foundation and the Constitution, flawwed from its beginnings, are the homes we keep building on top of the foundation, shifting some of the rooms around and adding others as we evolve as Americans.
Enjoy the 4th!!
Great essay Melissa. Have you read Jamelle Bouie's opinion piece - Five Words That Changed America? He echoes some of your ideas.