The Story of New Beginnings: Hey America, Who Are We as a People, and What Are We Made of as a Nation?

Did you catch recent news stories that hit like fireworks? In the sports world, we learned Lebron James opted out of his contract, but then signed a new contract not long after with a no-trade clause. Seems like he’s gonna be a Laker for the rest of his playing days. Add to that, word of his son (Junior) getting drafted by the Lakers, and then signed in a matter of days. This news was all over in pop culture.

Politics is right up there too, especially after the uproar and unease following the last presidential debate. There’re those who’re like sharks going for blood or like citizens wanting to see new blood in higher office. The life & times we see today in the summer of 2024 might take us back to the summer of 1787. As the founders met during the Constitutional Convention, they had to choose a leader at the proceedings. Then following that, they had to vote who would become the nation’s first president.

Be a fly on the wall then, a cricket on the floor now and a diviner of public sentiment, you’ll soon get some of what’s causing all this angst. These days America is trying to write the story of new beginnings, as well as to answer the question, “who are we as a people, what are we made of as a nation?” Some of the struggles among voters point to the fact that America still has a leaning to having two white men as the nominees from each party running for president. There’s also the factor of telling other countries when their leaders need to step aside to usher in new leadership, but we’re having a tough time doing that here as it relates to both candidates.

George Washington, who became the first President had some other concerns then that might even apply today. He was worried about factions driving policy and law. He was chosen during a time when the struggle was around the battlefield of war and democracy. These days, we’re on the battlefield of democracy as well as law/social order, especially with recent Supreme Court rulings. The person we choose to lead us in this next phase of America should have those points top-of-mind or close to heart. Back in 1787 they chose Washington based on four key criteria:

• Little/no embarrassment to country.
• Greater competence for duty.
• Stronger character for synergy.
• Better vision for democracy.

In sports, great athletes are often seen as making the right play at the right time. They’re good at ‘making the right read’ at pivotal moments in the game. Can that idea or the above 4-pronged criteria be helpful today with paving the way for the next chapter in America’s story? With all things being equal, one might choose a candidate based on party loyalty, personal liking or media savvy. But this time is different. Plus, the struggles seem to also be between regular voters vs big-money donors, left-wing vs right-wing, hope vs hubris, age vs autocratic-leaning. So, we gotta look at what else the founders had in mind when they rolled out the red carpet to America’s Independence. They wanted life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness through the inner workings of:

1. People

A key phrase in the Constitution reminds us that the nation was founded around new beginnings in self-determination as ‘we the people’. The challenge in America is making sure the will of the many isn’t trampled on by the wishes of the fewer or the civil rights of the fewer isn’t squashed by the many. The challenge we have is that politics and sports play a significant role in culture, with civics having a smaller lane. In the same way that the founders came together and laid out plans for our democratic republic, we gotta revisit that period to highlight ideals that will get us through this moment of Civic Revolution.      

2. Power

As States came on-board in the Union, folks did more to have ‘we the people’ be a bedrock at other levels of government. Across the country there was the founding of local municipalities/townships that officially recognized everyday citizens who were committed to handling their civic affairs. We know them today as legislatures, mayors, council members, etc. It wasn’t just about serving in high office but also formalizing other parts of self-government. These days we need a kinda regeneration in civic engagement and public good, where folks aren’t in it just for public grandstanding, but for better policy making.   

3. Promise

What might regeneration look like? Consider injuries to the body and how it’s designed to heal itself by growing new cells, new flesh, new skin. We even see this in nature when branches get pruned and shaped, there’s a regrowth that occurs. The promise of America can serve as that regenerative force. But we gotta cut back from our body politic the things that are like dead weight that serve as a resource drain in the system. We gotta prune and shape some leaves/branches to give birth to new ideas. We gotta ‘set off’ the ideal of turning promise into dreams, like canisters into fireworks.    

4. Process 

America has gone through 7 phases in its history: Settlement, Slavery, Independence, Civil War, Reconstruction, Segregation, Civil Rights. Now we’re in the throes of a new phase, let’s call it Reinvention. When seen like the caterpillar/butterfly metamorphosis, we can move forward and become a butterfly of our better angels or revert to a cold nature and become ‘dead shell’ as a country. Metamorphosis is a transition from an immature form to an adult form. So, for this next phase, SAIC has crafted a Public Interest Proposal across country, community and culture as a public/private initiative.  

Whoever is chosen at the Conventions will be one step closer to pulling the levers of America’s power. Right now, a battle for the soul of America is among gatekeepers, content producers, culture makers and power brokers. In getting to ‘Union Station’, there’s track 1 based on alliance in truth & civility. Then there’s track 2 based on alliance in grim and grievance. But we can’t wait for ‘Project 2025’ as roadmap. We gotta set-it-off now with ‘Project 2024’. The path we take to Reinvention will depend on the degree of ‘esprit de corps’ (good vibes, swag & bag) we muster for a more perfect union, to level-up as a nation.

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Tracks: Mickey Guyton – All American – https://youtu.be/0AtnvO2_Ijc?si=1y0O3gHbQ8UND3Bb

YG Marley – Praise Jah in the Moonlight – https://youtu.be/Kgh9TVm4X8s?si=69ztLk9Azt6zv3rh

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