The New Year Do-Over Checklist: Paging Those In Town & Country Who’re Ready to Do America Some Good

Doc Cunningham
“Da Island Guy”
Sounding-Off Social

It was the most thrilling World Cup soccer final in history! But don’t take my world for it, just checkout the video highlights. Two countries vying for top-dawg international status in the sport, ended-up with penalty kicks determining the winner. Ok, in terms of excitement, the Peach Bowl game between Georgia and Ohio State is up there in the running too. We again saw why sports means so much in culture.

For one it was the ‘Happy New Year’ vibe we got leading up to the Ball Drop. Then there was the breakout performance and the bond among players after a score. But it might also be seen in the fullest expression of mojo, where there’s a magical moment that rises to the occasion. This feeling doesn’t have to be limited to sports or ‘new year’ festivities. Why, because M.O.J.O. is also about how we “make our journeys one”. That’s what we see on the field among players of different ages, backgrounds and sneaker stripes. So what if we could bring fresh mojo to America in 2023?

Well, in SAIC’s flashback to America’s early days we find some clues on where to start. The Founding Fathers had the initial role of convincing 13 independent colonies to become the first 13 United States. In part, the strategy was built around a mission and a motto. The Declaration of Independence served as the mission statement, while “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of Many, One) served as the motto. These two elements were important because the founders had the task of getting buy-in from citizens and public officials on how we “make our journeys one”. SAIC sees a similar chance now with the ‘new year’ do-over checklist as its resolution focus.

If the Founding Fathers traveled across the prairies and had a do-over, what might they do differently or better, based on what we know today? Well, let’s go to the video highlights of history and remind ourselves from whence we came. If we start by looking at some basic facts from Revolution to Emancipation and beyond, we’re reminded that:

The merchants arrived from Europe pursuing freedom in biz trade (i.e. free trade).
The pilgrims followed close behind pursuing freedom of beliefs (i.e. Puritan religious expression).
African-Americans brought here as slaves have persistently pursued the freedom of becoming (i.e. freedom from oppression/suppression).

The common theme here is freedom, which can mean different things in the eyes of the beholder. Some examples from current news stories include America’s support of the fight for freedom by the people of Ukraine in their ongoing revolution against Russia. Another is the history-making documentary release on Netflix capturing the life & times of Harry and Meghan to “free themselves” from the British Monarchy. And of course, a story where sports and politics intersected, was the release of Brittney Griner from Russian detention. These events remind us that the greatest natural, human and personal resource is freedom.

So how might we put that resource to work to do America some good and save us some headache? Let’s unleash the full strength of “We the People” and full stock of American biz across every state, village and block. To get there, SAIC’s “J.A.M. With Us”* initiative (join a movement) is about creating “more mojo moments” by how we “make our journeys one”. In addition, like when we’re shopping around for insurance we might get some savings as a bundle, let’s consider how we package the “freedom bundle” to insure:

1. Equality – Human Rights

The Declaration of Independence is built on the notion of equality and “inalienable rights” endowed by the Creator. The struggle for human rights throughout history revolves around whether people see ‘others’ through the eyes of ‘curiosity or cruelty’. It’s one reason why the Christopher Columbus narrative presents a few problems from a deeper dive in history. Some historians contend that what started out as an explorer driven by curiosity became an exploiter driven by cruelty, later evolving into the slave trade. That ‘curiosity vs cruelty’ dilemma raises its ugly head even today in political campaigns and social issues.

2. Opportunity – Human Choice

America’s quest for freedom is built on the idea of self-determination. That’s just a fancy way of saying individual choice. The merchants leaving Europe in pursuit of free trade was their choice. The pilgrims leaving their home country for new religious expression was their choice. In the case of African-Americans though, the initial arrival wasn’t a matter of individual choice, but imposed on them. So public policy efforts that do America some good aren’t just about free trade, free speech, freedom of worship or assembly. They’re really about the opportunity of self-determination through freedom of choice.

3. Essence – Human Assets

We also show up in life with human assets. These internal factors of mind, body and spirit help to define our essence in Purpose, Passion and Calling. Calling contributes to how we make the Creator look good; Purpose is in how we serve some earthly good; Passion is how you ‘do you’ that folks might say “wow, she’s good”. Plus, how we do America some good might mean tapping into SAIC’s Declaration of Emergence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all are created equal and are endowed by the Creator with certain basic rights, civic ideals and human assets to live our best life.”

4. Achievement – Human Imagination

Past presidents worked to inspire human imagination. In a time of economic depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt said “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In a time of civil unrest John F. Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. It was Rev Dr. Otis Moss Jr, a lieutenant of Dr King during the civil rights movement who said “Every generation is limited by what it knows”. So, let’s stretch our imagination past fear, complacency and ignorance by putting ourselves in a better position to deal with hot-button issues in hate, culture wars and misinformation.

During the ‘60s there were Freedom Rides to break the back of segregation and discrimination as well as Freedom Schools in education and empowerment. We have the chance of a do-over in the next “freedom stretch” from when the founding fathers got started to the civil rights movement got going. SAIC’s mission and motto in “Sounding Off Social, Shaking Up Culture” are driven by key elements of history and civics to impact culture. Think of how water brings life and is a cleaning agent. Well, SAIC tries to bring 2-parts history and 1-part civics to clean-up our grasp of the issues and achieve “more mojo moments” in life. So, paging those who’re ready to do America some good, which includes protecting our democracy.

*To find out more about how you can “J.A.M. With Us” (join a movement) in civic engagement, social change and community life, checkout the Sign-up Center with flyers and QR codes below. Learn more about the Field of Dreams 2023, K-12 Social Challenge Contests and College Breakout Day.

Tracks: Tems – Free Mind – https://youtu.be/e8GzTXRAJ30