Hien Do, Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Science and Asian American Studies at San Jose State University, Urbanism XXXVI
As we listened to Eric Liu, the first speaker for ALF’s “We the People” series, I wondered if we actually know the history and meaning of these words. On the face of it, these words seem so simple and straightforward “We the People”. If we were to ask a child what that phrase means, they would probably answer that it means all of us, not just white, male property owners. And yet, that is the origin of these words.
When the founders wrote the constitution, they knew that this new form of government they were creating was limited, since they were creating this new country for a specific, exclusive group. They were keenly aware of who they were leaving out of this amazing document. Slavery had been established for generations already in the colonies, and some founders were slave owners themselves. Women had always been present but were also not included.
The founders clearly understood and struggled with the tremendous tension between equality and liberty.
Despite the shortcomings, this document and our newly formed country inspired and became a symbol for Americans as well as people around the world. As a result, millions of people in the U.S. have struggled to expand the definition of these words and to be included in our society. Although too numerous to list, noteworthy for 2020 is the fact that we are commemorating the 100th ratification of the 19th Amendment which finally gave white women the right to vote, and we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the sit-in movement which was part of the Civil Rights Movement. However, while many have pushed for more inclusion throughout our history, others have resisted and have developed ways to prevent their participation.
Today is one of those times when we are again struggling to maintain this fragile experiment. With all the issues and divisions we currently face, as a nation, I wonder why it is that we don’t seem to support this experiment (as flawed as the founders were)?
I did not have the “dumb luck” (as Eric Liu said) to be born in the US and automatically receive citizenship, but I was lucky enough to have been accepted as a refugee with the opportunity to become a citizen. Perhaps it is my life experience that allows me to believe in the ideals of our nation. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study and understand all the sacrifices that others have made in order for some of us to be included in those simple words. However, I am less certain as to whether we, as a nation, still believe in these ideals and in this fragile experiment in democracy.
As a professor, a question that I leave my students at the end of my classes is ‘What is the glue that holds all of us together?” Or put differently, what are the ideals and beliefs that make us Americans? I hope we will continue to have these discussions with the ‘We the People” series at ALF.
