At the #PrinciplesFirst conference over the weekend, I was inspired by panelist @ReedHowardVA’s observation (see QT) that America has multiple foundings. 1/
Each time America betters itself to live up to its originating aspirational principles of freedom and equality under law (see: end of slavery, suffrage, Civil Rights Movement, and more), we are founded anew.
“This isn’t who we are” has never (at least, *should* never’ve) referred to the worst tendencies of the historical American zeitgeist (isolationism, nationalism, bigotry, racism...) Rather, it compares our endless, collective shortcomings to the grandeur of our ideals.
I’m in a Constitution seminar this semester: A bunch of flawed pragmatists in a room reached a ⭐️groundbreaking⭐️ compromise based on the best philosophy available re: the rule of law, lasting democracy, inherent rights, and natural law.
There were glaring contradictions between those ideals and the on-paper application even then, particularly for African Americans. It‘s taken generations to better establish, in actuality, what they set out to accomplish.
But I don’t believe that the fight for enlightened government institutions and norms ended in 1787. Like Reed, I think it’s time to recognize that we are refounded in the image of “America” with each essential milestone reached.
With each and every successive societal step forward, we have been guided closer and closer to achieving that oft-elusive American quest for liberty and justice for all. I’m convinced that there is (excluding salvation; hi im a morm—) no greater cause on earth.
Politics is merely a means of haggling over the right path to our (largely) shared ideals! We need to be both better listeners and better advocates. We need more tolerant political conversation, and competing big-picture, morally-informed factional options to improve the whole.
I’m grateful for the founding principles of the American Revolution and resulting Constitution, but also exceedingly grateful for those who have toiled (and continue to toil!) to actualize our dreams into an ever increasing reality. There’s more work yet to do. 🇺🇸
Ft. an afternoon walk with George Mason (father of Bill of Rights), MLK, Honest Abe 🎩, and that one Declaration of Independence guy 
Keep it going.
