Citizenship

December 12, 2018

Today was a new beginning for 69 people in Columbus, Ohio. My friend Harry and I met with about twenty other people from across the USA to support our friend Willie as he, his wife, and 67 others from around the world were sworn in as citizens of the United States. It is both a solemn and joyful occasion. There were people from Somalia, Nepal, Bhutan, Nigeria, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and twenty-two other countries who stood and pledged their loyalty to our great nation. The youngest was nineteen; the oldest 89. The 89 year old was frail and wheelchair bound, and when asked to state her name and nationality, needed her daughter’s help to be heard. But once her name was known, she raised her hand high and let out a cheer that echoed through the courtroom. It was a moving moment.

Those of us natural-born citizens often fail to realize the privilege we have of living in this country. Some object to anyone claiming we are exceptional, stating that such belief implies a sense of moral superiority. They miss the point. We are exceptional because of our Constitution that established a rule of law that outlined freedoms which have enabled us to achieve more than any other country on earth. 

The court officer who led us through the proceedings told us that she has been doing this job for twenty eight years, and loves it. She said that when she started out, they had two naturalization proceedings a month. Now it’s four per week. In one courthouse in a mid-size city. Multiply that by federal courthouses across the country, and we have thousands of people who believe enough in the exceptionalism of this country that they are willing—no—eager to take an oath of loyalty. 

I am grateful tonight for this imperfect yet wonderful country and for these new citizens who reminded me today of the great privilege we have of living here. God bless the USA!