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July is the month in which we cele-brate the birth of our nation. 235 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed by courageous men who dared to set a course for the future of their new government. They imagined a country where freedom and democracy could be established as a way of life. While they could not guarantee the success of their desires, they were determined to do everything within their power to make it so. They sought a ‘more perfect union’ with the protections required to insure the sovereignty of their political experiment.
Imperfect but flexible, the signers of that document realized the importance of creating a framework for governance that would allow the emerging nation to adjust for the changing realities their suc-cess would create. Their vision was pro-found, audacious, and wrought with in-credible possibilities. For all their efforts, they could not imagine the expanse of the country and the great diversity of global presence which today defines the United States of America.
We are a people who represent near-ly every nation and society on the planet. Many of us are here because of the wish-es and desires of our parents who sought a better way of life. Some of us are here because of forced, involuntary transplan-tation of our ancestors. Still, others are members of our society as indigenous residents whose histories pre-date the explorations of Columbus and the con-quistadors who invaded this region of the world.
We are comprised of recent arrivals who risked their lives crossing deserts, mountains, and dangerous territories to eke out a living. Others of us are descen-dants of adventurous pioneers who tra-veled across seas and over large swaths of land from coast to coast in search of new opportunities. All of us are here with our various backgrounds, cultures, traditions, and world views. “Out of many we are one” people who make up the population residing within the boun-daries of this country. And, still, many more are yet to arrive, and they will come just like others before them. They are on their way to make the transition and vow their citizenship and residency as “Amer-icans.”
How could those men who signed the Declaration of Independence have known the extent of their reach? Did they see how much their hopes would be shared by so many others right up to this very moment? We are not a monolithic populous of one mind or a single belief. Rather, our differences often cause us to stretch broadly to accommodate even the polarity of our perspectives and passions. Great consideration, politeness, patience, and tolerance are necessary for our union to survive.
Yet, we are witnessing a potentially destructive element among us that threatens to dishonor the evolving embrace of the highest ideals for a people who sought, fought, and sacrificed to make our nation a land of dreams fulfilled. These days demand vigilance and tenacity to preserve what the founding fathers created and set in motion. Along the way mistakes were made that affected the destinies of so many other countries and their peoples. Along the way our Constitution, a living document, has been amended to correct mistakes and protect our citizens. And, still, more must be done to address the changes that continue to define us as a nation.
Any campaign to limit or restrict the civil liberties of the people of this country must be watched with careful eyes. Efforts to misinform, corrupt, or deceive the people of this country for the purpose of promoting a particular agenda that benefits one sector over and against another must be met with strategic de-termination to reduce or halt such impact on our society. Our diligence to identify, assess, and alter such campaigns must go forth.
That, too, was part of the signers’ great concern. They cautioned against tyranny in any form that could pose a threat to our understanding of a govern-ment that is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
“We the People” is far more inclusive today than what the signers of the Declaration of Independence originally had in mind. That is a good thing and benefits us all. So, as we celebrate the birthday of our nation, let us resolve to increase our awareness about the health and well-being of every person who shares the rights and privileges of this nation that was once seen as “the city on a hill” where under God’s guidance we can achieve “freedom and justice for all.” .
-Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs
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