To be an American

What does it mean to be an American? Its a curious question, one most of us probably don't spend too much time thinking about. It is, perhaps, long overdue that we as Americans start thinking about what and who we are. Having a social security number, citizenship papers, a big house in the suburbs, a car for every teenager? Hmmmm. I think Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence may be a better place to start. In the Declaration, Tommy J. sets out four self evident truths: all men (people) are created equal, the unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and the right to rebel. All people being equal is the foundation for everything that follows and the truth I'd like us to focus on. The unalienable rights; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, are most secure when we accept that all people are created equal! Accepting the equality of all people (not sameness, see Harrison Bergeron) makes a much stronger argument for consent of the governed, that is, the power to be held by those who govern or represent us should flow directly from the people. Finally, without equality we have very little foundation for altering our governments when they fail to live up to the principles found in the Declaration. Do all U.S citizens believe in the principles found in Declaration? Doubtful, I'm sure we all know people who more or less subscribe to the values of the Klan, neo-nazis, or various other hate groups (some are pretty slick at glossing over their true nature in order to gain new converts). So, where does this leave us? I believe it takes us to the somewhat uncomfortable position of having to admit that being a U.S. citizen may not mean we're an American. It requires more than a social security number. To be an American requires an understanding of and an unshakable belief in the principles of the Declaration. It requires us, if you will, to walk the walk, to think hard about and to practice the values we say we know. Finally, I'd like to suggest that spending time thinking about who the Declaration says we should aspire to be, will help arm us against the tragic consequences of ignorance. Abu Ghraib.