America with all of her faults, foibles and frailties is still the greatest country on the planet. It is the shining city on a hill that offers hope, light and freedom to all.
This country gave a sharecropper like me from Louisiana a chance to become a successful business owner, philanthropist and gospel singer. In America, you can become anything that you set your head or heart to. Millions of people worldwide want to come to America for economic opportunity, freedom, healthcare and education.
As we celebrate 250 years of representative democracy, independence and freedom, consider recommitting to the ideals found in the Declaration of Independence. The declaration is not a perfect document. It was written by imperfect men. However, the message of freedom has endured and inspired others around the world.
Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the declaration, wrote a masterful synthesis of enlightenment philosophy and commonsense political grievances. Jefferson made the case for representative government. He was wise to include God as the foundation — understanding that all rights flow from a supreme being.
His political philosophy can be seen in this powerful phrase: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement speaks to equality and indicates that no one is inherently born to rule over or be subjected to others. He recognizes a supreme being and entitlement to certain basic rights, specifically life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The 1,320 words in the main text of the declaration have survived good and bad presidents and rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol in 2021, seeking to overturn an election. During America’s 1876 centennial, the nation was grappling with a disputed presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, which ultimately led to the Compromise of 1877, in which Hayes took office in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.
Alexis de Tocqueville, a French diplomat and political philosopher, said, “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”
Now, 250 years after the declaration was signed, we have seen progress in every sector. Women and Black people have the right to vote. Black hands that once picked cotton are now picking presidents. In 2008, Barack Obama was elected as the 44th president of the United States. He became the first African American to hold the office. Kamala Harris became the first female and African American vice president in 2021.
The 119th Congress has a record number of African Americans serving. In 1992, Carol Moseley Braun became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983.
To be clear, the Founding Fathers had some difficult decisions to make regarding the original sin of slavery and treason against the British crown. The vestiges of slavery and segregation remain present in America: Wealth inequality, discrimination, white supremacy and widening disparities remind us that more must be done to heal the nation and fulfill the promise of equality.
The following are suggestions to strengthen our democracy:
- Elected leaders and media outlets should engage in civic education campaigns using websites, newsletters, social media, local news and cable channels, and other outlets to disseminate information regarding elections.
- Congress should amend the Constitution to establish for all Americans an affirmative right to vote.
- Illinois leaders should make Election Day a holiday.
- Elected leaders should encourage the use of mobile polling stations at community centers and festivals to expand access for people to cast their votes.
- Elected leaders should provide resources for local organizations to conduct balanced “meet the candidates forums” that air on public television.
- Citizens should demand elected leaders pass campaign finance reform that removes dark money and special-interest political action committees from elections.
- Elected leaders should require all campaigns to be publicly financed.
- Every citizen should read the Declaration of Independence and vote.
A 2024 Gallup poll found that 80% of American adults believe the nation is “greatly divided” on the most important values. Fifty-three percent of voters say they are proud of the country today, according to a Fox News poll, but those under 30 years old are the least proud at 44%. Additionally, a recent Quinnipiac University poll found that 57% of Americans feel the nation’s present democracy is not working.
As we honor America’s birthday, our charge is to revive the soul of America. We must use this occasion as an opportunity to lay down political party labels, divisive language and unite as one nation under God.
Today, we are all Americans, and our innovative spirit can solve social, political and economic challenges. We cannot rest until the promises included in the declaration become real for all citizens.
With God’s help, wisdom and love, we have the courage to preserve democracy for future generations. The light of America will shine as an example of a God-fearing nation for all the world to see.
God bless America and the spirit of Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and all the signers of the declaration who dared to fight for freedom.
I write this commentary to make those comfortable promoting division and incendiary rhetoric uncomfortable.
Willie Wilson is a business owner, philanthropist and former mayoral candidate.
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