I often think that it can be easy to get into a rut when talking about this country. I am very guilty of this as can be seen through my blog, but that does not mean that there aren’t amazing people and places in this country. When you grow up you hear about the ideals of America, the ideals of what is apparently right for all, and the longer time goes by, the more this image of perfect ideals cracks. No man better describes this façade of American ideals better than Abraham Lincoln. His memorial sits in the middle of the nation’s capital. A building made to look like a monument to the gods with him gazing across the water from his throne. And growing up I loved Lincoln, and in many ways I still do. But I cannot say that I love him for the same reasons that I used to. He to me represents what this country can be and reminds me to look at the positives. He was a very flawed man and I do not want to excuse his actions in this blog, but I do like to look at his presidency as a time of massive change in this country. It was a time that moved the country miles ahead of where it was.  

Lincoln can be quoted saying he thinks white men are superior, and his actions towards Native Americans should and can be seen as what they are, terrible and destructive like those before him, but I also think it’s fascinating to look at these pivotal points in time and see how they were shaped. The Civil War changed how Americans view each other and changed the national identity. Its effects are felt today in good and very bad ways. This often reminds me of how politicians today speak on TV. They say that we are a country full of good people, that they know we can do amazing things, and I believe them. Although I am not sure how, I know that there are points where no matter the intention there is a change so drastic that every country in the world can feel the pendulum of society shift. Because of this I like to think of the Lincoln Memorial as a positive place. 

It has been the site of Dr. Martin Luther King’s most famous speech, the site of countless marches, and most recently the site of our national COVID Memorial. And while I think it is very important to hold those accountable for what they did no matter how long ago that was, I often feel that the most change happens when there is a symbol for hope towards a better future. And when you stand at one end of the water you can see Lincoln and his massive body gazing over the water. It is very calming and serene. It is natural for countries and empires to create monuments to what they believe are their greatest leaders and depending on who you ask this man is one of them. That being said the troubled and conflicting past and the hope it gives is a perfect symbol for what America really represents to me.