Swearing in ceremony from archives.gov

I love that our country is not about genetics.

We could never be Americans

because of “blood and soil.”

America

is a brilliant idea,

an understanding,

that all, all are created equal,

that all have inalienable rights,

that governance should be in the hands of the people,

each with an equal voice.

We are still trying to realize that brilliance with which we began, though imperfectly.

It is imperfect still.

The idea is still growing.

It has its detractors,

its obstacles

its terrible mistakes.

Sometimes the beautiful experiment is endangered.

But those dangers will not stop us.

They’re nothing against us.

I believe in us.

We always correct ourselves,

keep pressing forward,

expanding our understanding about who “we the people” are,

what it means to achieve

a “more perfect union.”

Group of diverse people planting a young tree in soil outdoors
A diverse group joyfully plants a young tree together in a park.