Hang Together: America at 250

The founding of the country set us on an ambitious path: the idea of a new nation of, by, and for the people. Initially “The People” only included land holding white men.  Over time through protest, struggle, and compromise we worked to redefine who “We The People” includes and how our rights are exercised. The American Indian Movement, Immigrants Rights, Farmer Worker’s, Civil Rights, Labor Rights, Women’s Suffrage, Disability Rights, and the LGBTIQ + movements are all examples of the people demanding inclusion in the definition of “We The People” rights advertised in our constitution. The diverse people of this country have demonstrated time and time again our ability to come together across lines of difference and in common cause create a country where we can all exercise our freedom and live well. This notion of democracy and direct citizen involvement was laughable at the time. But has gone on to become a blueprint for nations around the world.

Though we are a nation under tension, coal under pressure. We must hang together.