A Thanksgiving Reflection: Embracing Contradiction and the Ongoing American Revolution
As the nation pauses this Thanksgiving to reflect on its blessings, a complex portrait of America emerges – one marked by both profound challenges and enduring hope. Historian Ken Burns aptly observes that the United States is a nation of contradictions, and it is precisely this tension that defines its unique character.
The past week alone has underscored this duality. The nation grappled with former President Trump’s response to the Khashoggi killing, while simultaneously witnessing developments in the Epstein case, described by The Hill as a potential turning point in his presidency. Even the outspoken Marjorie Taylor Greene captured the sentiment of many, stating, “I refuse to be a ‘battered wife’ hoping it all goes away and gets better.”
Amidst what some describe as an “autocratic assault” on democratic norms, Americans are searching for resilience. Is it possible, some ask, that these trials – these “stress tests” – are revealing critical weaknesses in the Constitution, prompting necessary corrective action? Should the nation confront its role in fostering a culture of celebrity worship and tolerating vast economic disparities? Has the pursuit of unbridled capitalism eroded solidarity and effective governance?
Despite these concerns, there is reason for optimism. The competence, professionalism, and courage displayed by many public servants – including a significant number of first-generation immigrants – offer a powerful counter-narrative. Citizens increasingly desire leaders who represent their values, rather than those embroiled in legal scrutiny.
The spirit of compassion and resistance remains strong, as evidenced by citizens challenging restrictive immigration policies and the Catholic Church’s vocal support for immigrants across the country. These actions demonstrate a commitment to core American values.
In seeking guidance during these turbulent times, one observer turned to the work of his son, Mike, and his 2004 book, “Emancipating Pragmatism: emerson, jazz, and experimental writing.” Rooted in a PhD dissertation from the University of Pennsylvania, the book explores the writings of Ralph Waldo Ellison, author of “The Invisible Man,” and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The insights within proved particularly resonant on the eve of Thanksgiving. On page 3, Emerson’s words ring true: “To interpret Christ, it needs a Christ…to make good the cause of freedom against slavery you must be…Declaration of Independence walking.” This sentiment speaks to the need for active participation in the pursuit of justice.
Further exploration of Mike’s work reveals a compelling perspective on the nature of truth and meaning. On page 7, he writes that Emerson believed “America’ itself was a kind of text being read, its meaning a matter of collective decision.” This suggests that the nation’s identity is not fixed, but rather constantly being negotiated and redefined. Emerson recognized that language itself is “million-faced,” implying that social change is always possible.
The book also emphasizes the importance of embracing change and striving for equity. On page 18, Emerson wrote of a need for “fluxions and mobility,” a philosophy of constant evolution. Ellison, as quoted on page 19, observed that Americans have been “improvising themselves into a nation, scraping together a conscious culture out of various dialects, idioms, lingos, and methodologies of America’s diverse peoples and regions.”
This notion of cultural improvisation is further explored on page 24, where Ellison notes that the English language spoken in America is not purely English, but a dynamic blend of influences “from Africa, from Mexico, from Spain, from God knows, everywhere.”
The power of collective creation is central to the book’s argument. Pages 25 and 28 highlight Ellison’s analogy of the jazz musician, who “always plays both ‘within and against the group’ — constantly reflects and redefines the ensemble.” This dynamic interplay, he argues, allows for a continuous “anticipatory arena where actuality and possibility, past and present, are allowed to collaborate on a history of the future.”
This week has been momentous, demonstrating that the nation is not static or powerless. “Fluxions and Mobility” are undeniably at play, though significant work remains. As Mike concludes in his book, “An emancipated pragmatism happens whenever and wherever a creative mind or community of creative minds engages in democratic symbolic action.”
Democratic – Symbolic – Action. These are not merely words, but a set of values that shape the nation’s future. As Ken Burns recently asserted, the American Revolution remains “the most important event in world history since the birth of Christ.” The US Conference of Catholic Bishops, by publicly supporting immigrants and joining picket lines, embodied this revolutionary spirit, modeling for all what it means to be “Declaration of Independence Walking.”
Happy Thanksgiving.
