Someone has to say farewell, and then, all we’ll have left is each other....
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TRANSCRIPT
[00:00:00.480] - Cori Intro
You're listening to seven minute stories with Aaron Calafato. Make sure to subscribe, rate and write a review on Apple podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. And don't forget to tell a friend. Visit our merch page at 7minutestoriespod.com that's the number 7minutestoriespod.com
[00:00:27.740] - Aaron Calafato
Hey, everybody, it's Aaron and I don't know how you're feeling right now. I'm like a messenger from back in time. See, I'm recording this episode the Monday evening before the 2020 election. So, by the time this episode comes out this Thursday, I don't know what the state of the country is going to be like. We may not even have a result, I hope that we do. I mean, you yourself listening right now, you could be on top of the world. You could be so happy at the result that your candidate won. Or, you could be looking into the abyss. So pissed off and angry at the result and the direction of our country. So, I wanted to share this portion of a speech from a former President's farewell address that resonates a lot with me. Just for a moment. No matter what you're feeling. Just try to close your eyes. And please listen.
[00:01:23.450] - Aaron Calafato Recites Speech
Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift, but it's really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We the people, give it power. We the people, give it meaning with our participation and with the choices that we make and the alliances that we forge. Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms, whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law, that's up to us. America is no fragile thing, but the gains of our long journey to freedom are not assured. In his own farewell address, George Washington wrote that "self-government is the underpinning of our safety, prosperity and liberty. But from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth."
[00:02:30.880]
And so we have to preserve this truth with jealous anxiety. That we should reject the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest. Or, to enfeeble the sacred ties that make us one. America, we weaken those ties when we allow our political dialogue to become so corrosive that people of good character aren't even willing to enter into public service. So course with rancor that Americans with whom we disagree are seen not just as misguided but as malevolent.
[00:03:12.500]
We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others, when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt and when we sit back and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them. It falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy. To embrace the joyous task we've been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours, because for all our outward differences, we in fact all share the same proud title. The most important office in a democracy. Citizen, citizen.
[00:04:04.900]
So you see, that's what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when there's an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing.
[00:04:35.320]
If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself. Show up, dive in. Stay at it. Sometimes you'll win. Sometimes you'll lose. Presuming a reservoir of goodness in other people, that can be a risk. And there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been part of this work and to see it up close, let me tell you, it can energize and inspire! And more often than not, your faith in America and in Americans will be confirmed.
[00:05:35.870] - Aaron Calafato Conclusion
OK, I guarantee you. Whether you're a Republican, or a Democrat, or a socialist or a libertarian or apolitical. Something in that speech spoke to you. Even if it was a couple of lines, something resonated with you. Or, you found some common ground in it. Why? Was it because it was so political? Was it because it was one side attacking another side? Was it because it was so radical, right or radical left? Was it because it was so strong and patriotic? It was none of those things. What it's asking of us is and telling us to remember is... To not stop presuming a reservoir of goodness in each other. Even if you have polar right or polar left or there's some people that seem unreachable or some minority that, even may come off as immoral on either side, the majority of us aren't. The majority of us are reachable. And if I were to tell you that I selected a 2017 farewell speech by former President Barack Obama to recite for you, I probably would lost some listeners. But I didn't pick it because of politics or or that it's Democrat or Republican or because I like the President. I picked it because the story. Because I'm a storyteller and I do a storytelling podcast, and I believe the shortest distance between two souls is a good story. So no matter what. Just remember, the only way forward is together. Our human souls. That's all we got. To form a more perfect union.
[00:07:22.990] - Cori Outro
7 Minute Stories is created and performed by Aaron Calafato. Audio production by Ken Went, you can connect with Ken at media216.com . Original artwork done by Pete Whitehead. See Pete's work at petewhitehead.com . And lastly, I'm Cori Birce and I coordinate the podcast. Make sure and tune in next week for another story.
