Letters from an American • 23 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
- The painting 'American Progress' represents the idea of manifest destiny, which was the belief that Americans were meant to spread democracy and expand across North America. This idea often ignored the rights and lives of Indigenous peoples.
- Today, some political groups are using these historical symbols to promote a more exclusive view of American identity, focusing on race and heritage rather than the founding principles of democracy and inclusion.
- Recent comments by political leaders suggest a shift away from the idea that being American is about shared beliefs, toward a definition that prioritizes ancestry and race, which raises concerns about inclusivity in the future.