A national anthem for our future?

As some of US recognize the first anniversary of a Republican fomented insurrection to overthrow our democracy, I’m harking back to a president a greatly admired by many of US, whose service to all of US was tragically foreshortened. One of his most famous quotations, delivered almost 61 years ago as part of his inaugural address on January 20, 1961 includes the phrase:

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.

The most famous passage from the inaugural address is etched in stone at Kennedy's gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery
By Wasted Time R - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9607049

Before he spoke those words, he shared other thoughts that are also highly relevant to US today:

So let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms — and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah — to "undo the heavy burdens -. and to let the oppressed go free."

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved. 

At the time of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, the world was also full of tension as world powers opposed each other’s advances in arms and territory. Kennedy might have been prescient about the events of January 6, 2021 and their aftermath, or, perhaps the challenges we face haven’t changed all that much in nature and character.

It may well be that we have, for some years now, been focused too much on what we believe our country can and should do for each of US. That’s a tragic, potentially fatal, mistake. The good news is that the United States is still a relatively young country. Youth all too often makes mistakes, mistakes through which lessons can be learned on how to do better.

A little more than a decade after President Kennedy’s inauguration, another American, who years later became a Nobel Laureate in Poetry, wrote words that we all should wish for our country as she, and we, continue to grow up, learn from, and correct our mistakes.

Forever Young

Written by: Bob Dylan 

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

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