Much of American history, with more than a few setbacks, has been about expanding the scope of the Declaration of Independence’s bold statement that  ‘All men are created equal’ to include more and more people. Today we basically hold it to mean, ‘All human beings are equal regardless of skin-color, gender, religion, sexual preference, economic situation, and more.’ However it was not easy getting to this place of greater equality for all Americans and we cannot take anything for granted as we dream of a still more equitable and just USA where each child is born with a legitimate chance at success regardless of where he or she comes from.

There has always been a push against such an America by those who hold wealth and power in the present, but history shows that while those reactionaries are often able to hold out and delay the forward movement of society for a time, the recalcitrant minority almost always loses. The reactionaries lost the Civil War and the fight over women’s suffrage, but even though they’re still losing these fights – as seen in their battle over gay rights – the victory of progress is far from assured and we cannot rest easily until we can truthfully claim to have done all that we possibly can to insure that our children have a legitimate chance at long, successful, and fulfilling lives.

So let’s use this platform to have an honest conversation with each other and filter out any preconceived notions; let’s hold nothing as sacred and speak truth to power regardless of who holds that power. Let’s use evidence to back up any claims we make, refrain from name-calling and trolling, while at the same time passionately (yet civilly) discussing what we can do to make our nation better and improve the lives of as many people as possible. Let’s stand up for what we believe in and refuse to be mere spectators of the events that take place in our neighborhoods, cities, states, our nation, and even the world

Above all, let’s be fearless in the face of the truth and beholden to no interest either from the Right or the Left. Future generations will know whether or not we succeeded in our attempts to better the world around us, so let us always be ready to hazard all that we have and all we are for the noble goal of leaving our posterity a legacy that they can be proud of.

– Heath David Lenoble