Words of Hope!

It came to my attention a while back that the words of the Declaration of Independence define the American Dream. Envisioned is a country where all people are treated equal. Where each individual, no matter what their age, color, gender, sexual orientation, religious views etc. are able to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There are many who have long held that the Declaration of Independence was full of empty promises. A dream that was soon extinguished by the reality of a country that gave privilege to the wealthy, that legalized slavery, that tolerated religious oppression, and that suppressed women. And,although there have been many amendments to the original Constitution, it still falls short of the promise of the Declaration of Independence. I recently listened to an interview of L. Douglas Wilder, former Governor of Virginia. In it he referred to our founding documents. And he, a man of color, defended the promise of the American Dream. He contradicted those who see the Declaration of Independence as a document of empty promises. He say it as a beacon of "hope". These words, primarily from Thomas Jefferson, still hold forth the promise hoped for ever individual American citizen. And these words call us forward toward what is yet to be realized: liberty and justice for all.