Values of Democracy

Memorial Day

We have a lot to do for democracy. One thing is to remind ourselves of the shared values we have — a commitment to each other for the rule of law and the public good.

Memorial Day is a day to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have served and died in service to the country. We remember them and their sacrifice to our country and for all of us. It is a day to reach out in support of all the soldiers and their families who have given so much for us.

To support those we remember, here are informational and resources to share to keep the importance and meaning of this day alive:

• PBS- Public Broadcasting Service
  • Meaning of Memorial Day
  • History
  • Help Military Families — General Resources
  • Salute to Services
• National Park Service
  • Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

Look at these words from the poster:

• Strive on
• Finish the Work
• Malice towards none
• Charity for all
• Care for him, his widow, his orphan
• Lasting peace among ourselves

These are words from the Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln March 4th, 1865, forty-one days before he was assassinated:

“With malice toward none with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan ~ to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”-Abraham Lincoln, second inaugural address, March 4th, 1865 [emphasis, mine]

Today, those words are just as important, given the way the current administration speaks and acts against other Americans and people in and around the world, and given the continued disintegration of public services for all Americans and veterans. Certainly, we need to bind our nation’s wounds and find peace among ourselves.

This is why we create art for the democracy we love and honor.

You can find the full version on Flickr with a CC2.0 non-commercial, share alike license. Special shout-out again–see the post Quirky People, including how to draw crowds with the help of Calvin of Drifter Studio and quick portraits by Lisa Bardot

Democratic Values

Two of the phrases from Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address stand out to me: “Malice towards none” and “Charity for All.” These are democratic values– a commitment to accept and trust one another, supporting one another in our communities and through the public good services our government undertakes to maintain our civil and prosperous society: support for veterans, help for the homeless, welcoming refugees, health care, social security, weather analysis, public schools, common roads, etc.

And they are the reason these three words are values a democracy supports: diversity, equity, and inclusion — so that ALL of “we the people” are able to participate and thrive in our country.

This is social justice: to be sure all are invited and welcome with this acknowledgement that diversity is our strength, equity is our opportunity, and inclusion is our humanity.

In my community work, I’ve created an apron with this art on Zazzle to wear to encourage others to remember the values supporters of democracy believe in. I look forward to its arrival. Love that it has pockets and adjustable top strap. I’ve shared the design on Flickr with a share-alike, non-commercial license for personal use.

May we continue to live free, in support of one another. I am reminded of these two quotes:

Live to make the world less difficult for each other. ~ George Eliot

Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the church. ~Pope Leo XIV

Let’s allow and strive to help democracy thrive– for all the people.