America 250: A Promise We Must Keep

As we mark the semiquincentennial of America’s declaration of independence, we celebrate more than a moment in history. We return to a promise.

The Declaration of Independence proclaimed a revolutionary ideal: that all people are created equal and possess rights no government may justly take away. Yet from the beginning, our nation fell painfully short of that promise in practice. Generations of Americans since then have fought and sacrificed to bring our country closer to its founding principles. As Dr. King said in 1963, “All we say to America is, ‘Be true to what you said on paper.’”

But that work is still not finished.

The promise of equality remains incomplete, and now increasingly under threat. Civil rights are being weakened, women’s equality remains unprotected in our Constitution, low voter engagement,  and too many barriers remain to full participation in our democracy. Our nation’s great promise cannot be fulfilled when voting rights are threatened, fundamental freedoms are narrowed and democratic institutions are tested by growing authoritarianism and political violence.

Events of recent years have proven starkly that democracy is neither self-executing nor self-perpetuating. Each generation inherits both its freedoms and the responsibility to defend and extend them. We must now ask: Will this generation allow the continued shrinking of the freedoms of the past generation, or will it commit to expanding what freedom can be?

On this historic anniversary, let us honor those who expanded the meaning of American liberty by re-committing ourselves to continue their work. Let us protect the right to vote, defend the rule of law, and resist every effort to turn back the democratic progress our ancestors fought to achieve.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, America made a promise. Our task now is to ensure that it is finally, fully and faithfully kept for all.

Jane Ruby
President
League of Women Voters of Chicago