We are still a city on a hill

Thoughts on Obama's apologetic speech before the UN

I have been teaching my students about the Pilgrims. I have been imagining their rolling ride across the sea and their windswept, icy first days in the dangerous forest. I hear the ghostly voice of their pastor and leader, calling on his teeny tiny congregation on the edge of a vast wild to fulfill the gospels and stand as Zion, the "city upon a hill." What an opportunity! What an audacious plan! What fantastic conceit!

It is amazing to consider that these few people barely able to feed themselves in, what to them, was a wild land, would lay the cornerstone for what would become history's greatest experiment: America. And it is even more astounding when you consider the lowliness of their position and weigh it against the cockiness of their agenda for us. And we have been debating their "city on a hill' concept ever since. It is so tough a thing to do. Perhaps, it is simply too noble a goal. Perhaps, it is quite the opposite and is proof of a dangerous arrogance.

But while we were debating the issue, there we were being a "city on a hill," an example to the world. The very fact we were arguing the issue proved a point of inspiration to those millions living in oppression around the world. Here was a place where democracy was the rule. We printed our newspapers, and formed political parties, and lobbied our representatives and the world took notice. In 1776, when we declared our place in the world, and took up arms against those who limited our freedom in London, we inspired and changed the world. We became that example the Pilgrims dreamed of, whether we wanted to or not.

Freedom and democracy are our lights. It is said in the Gospels held so dear to the Pilgrims that one does not cover a lamp with a bushel, but lets its light shine so that the whole room is filled with light. Perhaps, it is corny now or unfashionable to say things like "freedom is a light." But it is so passe because it is so true and so often said. We, as Americans, have trouble imagining what it is like to live in subjugation. We cannot comprehend a place where our opinion not only doesn't count, but also can lead to our arrest and death. We think the whole world is like ours.

The world is not like us, though. We are an abberation. We are freaks of history. History and geography and nature have come together to create a perfect and unique crucible for true freedom. America is still a place where one can reach his full potential as intended by the Creator. Our vast continent aches for freedom and heaves with it. I have seen it myself and the whole world sees it. You cannot hide it. It is a sin to try to cover this light for the oppressed.

Whether we like it or not, we are, as our president says so often, "citizens of the world." Our reaction to this should be to cry louder to the sleeping world to wake up and embrace freedom. We have a responsibility. We are linked with every nation on the planet. We proved this at Normandy and alongside the Berlin Wall.

We should not be ashamed of freedom and democracy. We should be sure in our steps to bring these blessings to the world and the best way is to be that example, that "city upon a hill." We should continue to welcome the oppressed and those hungry for justice into our country. We should continue to chide and bring an end to dictators and autocrats and genocidal regimes. We should renounce phony elections like those in Ukraine and Iran. We should reject non-capitalistic economic theories. We should stand up, as if it is a life and death matter, when people are denied the right to decide their own destinies. And we should not be bashful or apologetic about it. We should temper our pride, to be sure, but we should not apologize for our place in history.

Read the Shining City on a Hill speech here.