I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in 'We, the people.'
Interpretation
This quote reflects a journey toward inclusion and recognition in society's foundational principles.
Barbara Jordan's quote expresses her feelings of exclusion from the ideals of democracy and citizenship as established by the Founding Fathers, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. Through the ongoing processes of amendment, interpretation, and court rulings, she highlights the evolution of these principles to eventually include all people, emphasizing the importance of progress and the continuous struggle for equality in the democratic process.
In practice
During a speech advocating for civil rights, one might quote this to highlight the importance of inclusion in society.
Let's all understand that these guiding principles cannot be discarded for short-term political gains. They represent what this country is all about. They are indigenous to the American idea. And these are principles which are not negotiable.
We want to be in control of our lives. Whether we are jungle fighters, craftsmen, company men, gamesmen, we want to be in control. And when the government erodes that control, we are not comfortable.
What we have to do is strike a balance between the idea that government should do everything and the idea, the belief, that government ought to do nothing. Strike a balance.
My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminuation, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution. It is reason and not passion which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision.
Americanization means the process of becoming an American. It means civic incorporation, becoming a part of the polity - becoming one of us. But that does not mean conformity. We are more than a melting pot, we are a kaleidoscope, where every turn of history refracts new light on the old promise.
We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.
Anything in history or nature that can be described as changing steadily can be seen as heading toward catastrophe.
Change isn't made by asking permission. Change is made by asking forgiveness, later.
Because many advances have happened, we've lost the urgency (and that's just human nature) that we had before, when we couldn't vote, couldn't use mass transportation, or drink from the fountains.
So why are we having to fight in 2012 against politicians who want to end access to birth control? It's like we woke up in a bad episode of 'Mad Men.'
I would be excited if we could reimagine workplaces that start from a premise that women are going to be a central part: Women are going to bear children, people are going to raise those children, and it's not going to be a nuisance - it's actually going to be understood as part of the deal.
In this age of growing interconnectedness, we understand that turning our backs on the world is simply not an option.
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