Americanism & Our Civic Rituals

The programs associated with The Washington’s Farewell Address provide an opportunity for individuals to share and reflect on their experience of citizenship and to identify opportunities for reclaiming democratic and liberal values in our diverse society. Exploration of the contradictions between what was proclaimed in the founding and the actual social and political circumstances of the lives of many citizens need to be acknowledged. 

The objective of the Civic Ritual  for Thanksgiving is to establish a shared national ritual that explores and celebrates the American creed while recognizing the troubled history. The ritual, using a shared evolving document, provides an opportunity for civic reflection and strengthens ties among individuals, families, communities, and nations. The Civic Ritual serves as a launching pad for a more meaningful exploration of freedom and liberty in the 21st century and to develop a modern expression of citizenship. By recognizing the troubling aspects  of the United States’ origins, we can set aspirations that promote shared American values

Americanization Day is but one expression of the nation-wide endeavor. When Cleveland invited all her citizens who had been naturalized within a twelvemonth to assemble and receive a public welcome, to sit on a platform and be made much of, to listen to national songs and patriotic speeches, and to take home, every man, a flag and a seal of the city, she set a good example which will be widely followed. 

On Constitution Day, Citizens across the nation can join together to discuss strategies to solve problems impacting the entire nation, and  work to unite across regions, religions and ideologies. Using a framework and format that promotes communication and dialogue, aided by digital technology, moderated by a representative nonpartisan organizing body, citizens can educate ourselves to counter the excitation of passions by politicians and other representatives of factions, hold political parties accountable not only during election time by engage with them utilizing tools of active citizenship, take to the streets to petition the government when it doesn’t represent us.