As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s semi quincentennial, I am reflecting on the American Dream. Y’all know this is the week I reread the United States Constitution. What is clear to me is that significant things happened many years ago, before I was born, for me to enjoy the life that I live today. Below are a select few happenings, chosen from the internet, just to illustrate my point.
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1775 December 30
General George Washington, revising an earlier edict, ordered recruiting officers to accept free black people in the American Army. More than 5,000 black people, mostly Northerners, fought against the British.
1776 July 4
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
1808 January 1
Laws banning the African slave trade went into effect in the United States and in all British colonies.
1850
The Compromise of 1850 brought California into the United States as a free state, banned public sale of slaves in the District of Columbia, opened up the rest of the lands seized from Mexico to settlement by slave owners, and committed the United States government to enforcement of a new fugitive slave law.
1863 January 1
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which made it clear that a Union victory in the Civil War would mean the end of slavery in the United States.
1865 December 6
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, outlawing slavery.
1954 May 17
U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, declared school segregation unconstitutional.
1955 December 1
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, thus leading to a boycott and protests that continued for more than a year. Finally, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that segregated seating was unconstitutional, and the federal decision went into effect on December 20, 1956.
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I was born in 1959, and a lot has happened since these events to positively influence my future. However, BEFORE I was born, people of all ages, religions, ethnicities, etc. were fighting for my shot at the American dream. It didn’t come without a fight and bloodshed. They were making sure that our constitution is more than words on parchment.
I wonder if the people involved in all these events above, and associated events, appreciated the impact of their actions. Did they ever think that all these years later someone would be grateful for the specific role they played in ensuring a little girl’s shot at achieving the American dream? I’m mindful of the history that shaped MY story.
As I take time now to rest and enjoy family and community, I plan to rise from my rest with clarity and boldness about the role I will play in the story of the next 250 years. While I will probably only enjoy the first 36 years of the next semi quincentennial, I’m excited about the positive impact I will have on future generations. I have a role to play. You have a role to play. We have roles to play to impact people’s lives.
Enjoy our nation’s 250th anniversary. Rest up for now. At some point, rise from your rest with courage and determination, and then “role” out to make a difference for others. The year 2276 reflection will need your story.
I’m grateful, optimistic, and mindful of the work ahead. God bless America. 🇺🇸