We live in such “unprecedented times” that that phrase has become worn out and tired. We’re simultaneously fighting diseases of the body and of the soul, and even though the people of our nation are more divided now than many of us can ever recall, I still believe in the grand democratic experiment of America.
I’ll admit I’m on a bit of a hopeful “patriotic high” with Hamilton opening on Disney + the same weekend we’re all full of steak and desserts with fireworks exploding dramatically overhead for America’s birthday. However, I have more than just good feelings and a sugar high to back up my assertion. I believe I have historical track record on my side, when you consider just how much our nation has already survived…
In the words of former President Obama, “Hamilton is the civics lesson we just can’t get enough of,” and I would agree with him. But the show is more than just amazing vocal performances… It’s a reminder that American History is an open book in which each of us can write our own stories.
What about our divided political landscape? How do we recover from how deeply divided we are? Those are questions you’ll hear bandied about by the media’s “talking heads” quite a bit… But here’s some history that Hamilton reminded me of tonight, in its creative staging of the Election of 1800 in Act II: American politics have been cantankerous since the beginning, and the American populace has frequently been split down the middle on how to handle national issues. Being a “divided nation” isn’t a new problem. It was a reality when the Founding Fathers were still living, breathing, and governing.
The presidential race in 1800 between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr was evenly tied (talk about a divided nation) and the election had to be resolved by the United States’ delegates, and just like in the musical, Alexander Hamilton was one of the influential men who swayed the vote in Jefferson’s favor which started a path toward his fatal duel with Burr… And here we are over 200 years later beaming a musical about the events from thin air into our smart TV’s (sounds almost like science fiction, huh?) as we celebrate our nation’s 244th birthday. America survived political division then, and we will survive it now.
Why do I believe that? Is it because I have confidence in the greatness of our elected officials. Oh Lord, no… I couldn’t even say that with a straight face… But I do have confidence in the American Experiment, and I believe in the ideals of the Constitution.
Differing viewpoints don’t make us a weaker nation, they give us the strength of multiple perspectives to glean from, if we can all take some time to really listen to each other’s stories.
There are still many challenges ahead, and we won’t all agree on the best way to tackle every issue that comes up. But if we can stop seeing everyone whose opinion differs from ours as an enemy, and lay down our own “dualing pistols,” then perhaps we might make the journey a bit smoother.
I still believe in “One Nation, Under God”
I still believe in “We the People…”
I still believe in “Liberty and Justice FOR ALL,”
Despite everything we’ve recently seen, I still believe in America, and I’m still proud to be an American… And I am not throwing away my shot…
Ponder Thoughts 