...you don't realize this yet, but you're asking a Native American with a history degree.
I shudder at the definitions that people, men mostly, white men mostly, have put on A Great Nation to see their dreams, their comfort and confidence and perhaps their own work as part of this greatness. It seems to involve the gain in territory, a solid firm rule and a sense of success in the ruling class. Those under the wheels and heels have a different sense, always.
Our "Sovereign Dependent Nations", our Tribes, try to do great things and sometimes succeed.
In neither large nor small do I find some convincing, lasting, greatness.
I suppose I can imagine it - a Beloved Community, where somehow we've brought New Jerusalem to earth as we dream and try to. But I am not confident that human bureaucracy can achieve it.
All I can think of is Star Wars, where a callow idealistic Luke tells Yoda he's looking for a great warrior. Yoda replies "Wars not make one great."
Maybe instead of a great nation we can strive to be a beloved community on whatever scale we can know and serve each other.
— FriarMir
I shudder at the definitions that people, men mostly, white men mostly, have put on A Great Nation to see their dreams, their comfort and confidence and perhaps their own work as part of this greatness. It seems to involve the gain in territory, a solid firm rule and a sense of success in the ruling class. Those under the wheels and heels have a different sense, always.
Our "Sovereign Dependent Nations", our Tribes, try to do great things and sometimes succeed.
In neither large nor small do I find some convincing, lasting, greatness.
I suppose I can imagine it - a Beloved Community, where somehow we've brought New Jerusalem to earth as we dream and try to. But I am not confident that human bureaucracy can achieve it.
All I can think of is Star Wars, where a callow idealistic Luke tells Yoda he's looking for a great warrior. Yoda replies "Wars not make one great."
Maybe instead of a great nation we can strive to be a beloved community on whatever scale we can know and serve each other.
— FriarMir
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