The New Patriotism of Mount Rushmore, 3
the beginning of a bold new attitude to what it means to be an American. The subject of Mount Rushmore can continue to be an inspiration by focusing on the celebration of each person attached or immortalized at Mount Rushmore as being nothing more than humans; exemplary humans for their time, to be sure, but humans nonetheless, with the same foibles and fallacy as we all have. Ignoring the lamentable dealings with the indigenous cultures of the Sioux and other native tribes has only served to keep us in ignorance. By acknowledging the pain of the past and then at the same time acknowledging the emerging ideals of tolerance and mutual respect, lessons long in coming, Mount Rushmore will continue to stand as a crowning achievement of patriotic ideals. A new patriotism, without guilt but accepting responsibility, stretching across the nation, from sea to shining sea. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for -all-.
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