44 I The <strong>Bradley</strong> <strong>Project</strong> on america’s <strong>National</strong> identity I e pluribus unum“global citizenship” confuses and underminesmeaningful civic education. Youngpeople need to understand that to be acitizen is to be the citizen of a nation, andto be a democratic citizen is to be a citizenof a democratic nation.Civic education should be basedon the distinctive features of citizenshipin <strong>America</strong>n democracy, not onthe misleading idea that one can be a“citizen” of the world.
The <strong>Bradley</strong> <strong>Project</strong> on america’s <strong>National</strong> identity I e pluribus unum I 45conclusionIn Union Square Park in New York City, a long lawn is flankedat one end by an equestrian statue of George Washington andat the other by a somber statue of Abraham Lincoln.In the center of the park is the Independenceflagstaff constructed in 1926 tocelebrate the 150 th Anniversary of U.S.Independence. <strong>On</strong> the south side of thestaff, the Declaration of Independenceis inscribed in bronze. Etched in stoneand encircling the staff are these wordsof Thomas Jefferson: “How little do mycountrymen know what precious blessingsthey are in possession of which noother people on earth enjoy.”The <strong>Bradley</strong> <strong>Project</strong> wishes to renew<strong>America</strong>’s focus on her blessings: unparalleledabundance, domestic peace, liberty,equality of opportunity and entrepreneurship,the world’s first constitution andoldest lasting democracy, rule of law andrespect for property, religious faith andreligious liberty, patriotism and respectfor dissent, public education and preeminentuniversities, an influential culture,technological prowess, a strong militaryunder civilian control, a market economyand private philanthropy, vigorous debate,a commitment to work and achievement,increasing equality and declining racism,a diverse population, and a history thatelicits pride. All these blessings are part ofthe <strong>America</strong>n identity, made possible byour founding principles, and paid for bythe triumphs and tragedies that mark ourhistory.In 1776, <strong>America</strong>ns put their lives on theline by declaring independence. They knewthat, should they fail, none would survive.Benjamin Franklin warned his colleagues,“Yes, we must indeed, all hang together, ormost assuredly we shall all hang separately.”Those options still face <strong>America</strong>, andwe would be wise to heed his warning.
Change language