The Game is Still Afoot

As we approach the Semiquincentennial—the 250th birthday of the United States of America—I can’t help but think of this incredible, ongoing experiment that we are all a part of. With this milestone comes a profound duty: a charge to continually work towards the ideals that set this country apart.

If there were ever a time to wonder what role we each play in guaranteeing that every single one of us has the opportunity to experience life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it is at this very moment. And we do this not simply because someone whose body has long decayed decided it should be so, but because, at its very heart, that is what it means to be human. Every human on this planet is deserving of the same dignity—not just those who happen to occupy a single geographical area.

I remind myself daily that everything is still in play. The game is still afoot, and at any moment, the tides can turn. There are some who will tell us that they know better than most what the future will hold, but I disagree. I see clearly the future that our ancestors foretold, and I find it to be my duty to dream my own dreams—to architect a life even better than this one for our children’s children.

Perhaps it is the fact that the world is here with us this summer for the World Cup, but it feels like they are also here for our birthday party. What a beautiful experience it is to have the world celebrating what is possible—and what has always been possible.

Right now, we are witnessing one global family displaying the full, magnificent range of human emotions in moments of triumph and loss: excitement and joy, disappointment and despair. Together, we feel. Together, we learn. And together, we love.

As we celebrate this historic 250th milestone, let’s not just look back at where we’ve been. Let’s look forward, design the future we want to see, and remember that the experiment is still very much alive.

How are you choosing to show up for the experiment this week?

Warmly,

Kalimah