July 24, 2026 - 250 Years - Part 1

I Am an American.

I was considering making my first "thought" to be a retrospective on the academic integrity fun that happened last semester. I will likely still write something later but, having recently visited Washington D.C. with my children, my thoughts have been more focused on the state of my country as well as its history.

Washington D.C. is an amazing place. It features some of the most incredible monuments and workmanship anywhere. This is perhaps an unsurprising fact, since those that lead well draw the best toward them. Jefferson, Alice and I visited D.C. on Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It turned out to be a very fitting day to be there.

As we wandered the capital and explored the many spectacular monuments, the themes and ideals that underlie this nation were seen repeated over and over. These perhaps are best encompassed in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I had to memorize the preamble inscribed above as part of my education. This was undoubtedly deliberate, based on the recognition that the ideas encompassed were so universal and important that they should be shared with all. That the centuries and lives spent fighting for this country's existence are worth remembering.

Juneteenth, in some sense, represents an inflection point in our history where we took a big step toward more authentically living those ideals as a people. We have continued to make progress in this regard. We continue to grow and develop as a country. Yet, as recent No Kings protests - the latest considered the largest single-day demonstration in the history of this country - underscore, that progress is not always consistent.

I cannot help but consider the actions of our leaders, senators, and representatives in the context of the history that is literally carved in stone surrounding their offices. I took a lot of pictures, as I usually do, while exploring DC with my kids. Reviewing them, I often found myself thinking about the words of our greatest leaders and how so much of the actions being taken right now contradict the ideals and values they express.

We only had one day to spend in D.C. but saw a lot. Thomas Jefferson is unquestionably the founder whom I admire the most, and it was a delight to once again stand in front of his statue surrounded by some of his many wise words.

Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens...are a departure from the Plan of the Holy Author of our religion...No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.

I could start running down the list of recent follies surrounding placing the Ten Commandments in classrooms, persecuting various, often non-Christian, faiths, the perennial debates surrounding abortion, etc. It's clear many have forgotten that this nation was founded by people primarily fleeing religious persecution. But, it is that last sentence that really draws my attention.

It underscores a notion prevalent in many faiths - that we have all been instilled by our creator with a sense of right and wrong. The Christian version of this is that "the law is written on our hearts." (Romans 2:14-16). Yet we continue in folly trying desperately instead to legislate that which is already intrinsic to all. As if that will solve the problem of evil. Many of the problems we face are not so black and white.

Or, perhaps they are, but the light in this world is certainly not bright enough to always discern the lines. Many times some even deliberately act to obscure and confuse a situation for their own benefit. This penchant of some becomes more dangerous in a society that has acquired the habit of attempting to legislate morality.

Please don't get me wrong, anarchy is not the answer either. But the founders of this country had a much better understanding of liberty than I think many modern Americans. There is a delicate and important balance between personal freedom and the public good. I believe many of our laws today are written without enough regard to either. I cling to the hope that it will change. That our politicians, our leaders, the particularly wealthy, everyone really will reconnect with the "one code of morality for men."

...Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.

One reason that I so admire Thomas Jefferson is that I share his recognition that this nation, and democracy in general, only flourishes with an educated population. It pains me greatly that a small number of malicious, scheming individuals have worked to and partially succeeded in convincing some Americans that ignorance is admirable and education is contemptible. J.D. Vance proudly proclaimed, as Nixon once did, that "the professors are the enemy." One cannot help but wonder how arrogant and ignorant you must be to make such an asinine statement.

Most of the failings and issues in modern education find their root cause in poorly thought out and/or implemented political policies. No child left behind legislation, I'm looking at you. And the trainwreck that is standardized testing implementations around the country. And diversion of public funds to private schools vis-a-vis vouchers, and the list continues. It could be an entirely separate post. Maybe I'll write another one at some point.

Back on topic, I'll draw attention to Jefferson's statement that "commerce between master and slave is despotism." This recognition of the abhorrent tyranny found in slavery permeates almost every monument in our capital and underscores the preamble above: that all men are created equal. And, to be clear, I mean "men" in the Old English, gender neutral sense.

It was not lost on me that the text inscribed in Thomas Jefferson's Memorial appears to be weeping. It was not the case in 2006 when I first visited the monument. It seems sadly appropriate, however, now.

As we celebrate 250 years of this great nation's existence, I cannot help but feel the trepidation and concern deep within regarding so many recent events, statements, and actions. I know many of my fellow Americans feel the same. I joined them in protest during each of the No Kings demonstrations.

I have decided to break this post up into parts, because it is becoming so long. I will end this one with the text of "I Am An American." A tribute that is spoken prior to each home Purdue football game in Ross-Ade Stadium to the appropriate background of America the Beautiful played by the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band. I will always remember the tingling in my spine the first time when, as a freshman, I stood at attention on the grid iron playing American the Beautiful on my alto saxophone in front of tens of thousands of Boilermaker fans. Our announcer, Roy Johnson, spoke those iconic words, the band swelled, the crowed echoed the same and cheered. The image below is of that very moment on September 2, 2000.

I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or you could sweep them clear across this bright September sky. But remember too, that they are more than words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American.

I hope and pray that this country and its people remember our history. Who we are. What we stand for. The meaning of Liberty. And Justice. And Freedom. And that we once again start living and striving for it. For all.