The arc of the moral universe bends toward justice, but that bend is not inevitable. We must bend it. I believe in the American Dream because I believe in the people of America. When I say the people, I mean all the people; the great diversity of people. America is a mosaic, a salad bowl, or gumbo. America is a land and people of many languages, beliefs, creeds, genders, and colors. America is all
of that and more. America is a contradiction. Its history is the human experience that is both horrid and beautiful. We have committed the deepest cruelties in genocide and slavery and shown great sacrifice to each other in justice struggles. Today for some, we are heroes for others, hated villains. America the nation, founded in oppression, the American idea is one of freedom. Hence, from its founding, America’s dark and bright history is the epic struggle between oppression and liberty, our ever-expanding freedoms. When I Dream of America, I dream of a just nation. I envision the America echoed by King and fought for by Truth, Hamer, and Douglass. Those I admire the most in our history expanded freedom, those I understand as historical adversaries and resist today seek to restrict those freedoms. From my heroes, I learned that resistance is essential but not enough. We must also re-imagine American and build it. I joined the U.S. military to serve all of America. Reclaim the Dream is a continuation of that service as my contribution to bringing about a more perfect union. Dr. King warned us, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” I do not count myself as a fool, so I must be about learning and living. Because I care about all people -including those who would do me harm, I heed his words by working to build the Beloved Community of peace and justice. I also seek to support those who, like me, served this nation in military uniform. I cannot turn my back on the deported veterans I met, who should be in the U.S. with their families and friends. And I cannot stand by while racism, bias, and bigotry destroy the spirit and hearts of service members who search for their dream to have it taken from them by hate. I hope that you will join me as we Re-Imagine the American Dream from the bottom up for all of us. McPhearson
Founder and Executive Director
