Giang 1

Farewell Address

Emily Giang

When presented with the phrase “We the people,” the normal reaction would be to

recognize it as the first three words from the U.S. Constitution, the introduction of a document

that set forth the rights of a newborn nation. Of course, like the first words spoken by a young

child, these words are easily forgotten over the passage of time, yet they are some of the most

important words to remember. When I first entered classroom 2608, I viewed it as simply

another course that would teach about the most significant events in U.S. history and historical

figures involved. But as time went on I came to realize that over the course of two hundred years,

the history of the U.S. is not another story for future generations to learn like a book. Rather, it is

a journey - a journey that can be viewed from every perspective that emphasizes, contradicts, or

challenges the ideas of the present day and the moralities of its society. With that said, I’d like to

address a few parts and people of this journey that have enlightened, awakened, and even

disturbed me - ones that we ought not to forget over the passage of time.

Firstly, looking to the very start of America, we started with a speech, delivered by a firm

believer of American exceptionalism, John Winthrop. After having fled England, he deliberately

stated that he envisioned America as a land of hope, tolerance, and humane constitutions. In the

scenario where society may be falling apart, he advocated for fellow citizens to “do justly, to

love mercy… [and to] abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of others’

necessities” (Winthrop, J. (1630). City on a Hill [Review of City on a Hill]). When looking back

at the past mistakes of previous societies and leaderships, Winthrop recognized that the ultimate

downfall of these social structures was their ignorance of a basic foundation. They had failed to

realize that their frustrations, but also their prosperity, were interrelated with the wellbeing of
 Giang 2

their people. In stabilizing constitutions of selflessness and justice within the American

foundation, Winthrop hoped to build the people differently in their character. So to the mothers,

fathers, and teachers of this nation - do realize that you play the most important role in shaping a

child’s, and thus the future society’s, personal moral compass of the world. Your actions and

words guide the beliefs and courage of potential trailblazers in our country. It’s an enormous

responsibility, yes. But it’s not your responsibility alone; it’s a mission that you are a part of.

And the amount of effort you put into it will measure the sacrifice that you have put into the

greater good of society, this idea of being an exceptional nation where we prioritize the

wellbeing of our people.

Secondly, throughout history people have tended to look up to the leaders who have

victored in wars and accomplished measureable feats, including Andrew Jackson and Ulysses

Grant. But those we ought to truly recognize are the individuals who achieved eternally more by

seeking compromise, and building relationships between citizens in their positions of leadership.

Without doubt, George Washington would be one of those individuals, but another less

recognized but just as prominent figure would be Dolley Madison. Though she was not in a

position of direct leadership, she nonetheless changed the role of the first lady by throwing

parties for politicians from both sides. As a result, these parties dissolved a lot of violent

outbreaks and duels between partisans in the White House, and ultimately allowed individuals to

find compromise and civil discourse among disputes, creating friendships. So to the politicians

from every political party, and to both church and business leaders, do realize that your position

is a position of building bridges of mutual understanding, not destructive belligerence. You are in

a position of prominent power and influence, and your willingness to collaborate and
 Giang 3

compromise with associates surrounding you is vital to the success of the cause. Conflict is

imminent, but compromise is viable.

The third thing I’d like to address is our growth of diversity, our expansion of becoming a

nation that has had its doors open to people from all over the globe for centuries. What you may

recognize me referring to is Manifest Destiny, our belief that it’s our God-given right to expand

our borders and welcome foreign newcomers with open arms. Sadly, this definition hasn’t

always been enforced with positive connotations, for we have steered into some unfavorable

situations that have challenged our ideals, revealing Americans as hypocritical. If anything has

detrimented the hopes of this nation more than anything, it would be hypocrisy, our disability of

sticking to our word and acting out of our true values. The destruction made by the Indian Wars,

and the persecution of Chinese immigrants into Chinatowns are just a few examples. But despite

these refutes, we succeeded in expanding - at the cost of discrimination, intolerance, and

mistreatment of the immigrants we so falsely claimed we’d welcome with open arms. So what’s

more important: the destination of becoming the greatest nation in the world, or the process of

how we get there? To the majority: consider this question and don’t fall for the same fear and

hatred our people of the past acted upon. Get to know and honor the hardest workers of this

country; for the greater good, for the greater diversity of America. Take the opportunity to

participate in cultural events that open you to different perspectives - I promise there are plenty.

To the immigrants, specifically the minorities of this nation: the past may reflect much hatred

and fear towards your presence but do not be discouraged. You’ve reached the destination of

America, now progress forward; implement the ideas of civil discourse and opportunity to

achieve a nation that still owes you that promise of liberty and justice for all.
 Giang 4

Lastly, I’d like to address a problem that has newly plagued the United States within the

twenty-first century, a problem revolving around sensory adaptation: a concept where we grow

used to the way things are, that we grow apathetic towards real issues in society. Children,

parents, teachers, officers, politicians - basically I am addressing America right now - you are all

guilty of this. And it is your responsibility, your responsibility together, to fix this problem.

Overtime we have lost trust in one another, lost trust in the government… and some have even

lost trust in their own communities. Overtime we have lost the true value of a challenge: what it

feels to lose, what it feels like to return from a war, what it feels to compromise with those we

passionately disagree with. What we’ve gained instead is the social dilemma, where we’ve

gained pocket-fitting devices that can transport us to a whole other world, one where we can

allow ourselves to forget everything else for just a brief moment. Issue after issue builds up as

citizens solely wish to forget, to distract themselves, but that is not the answer. Do not adapt to

an apathetic world; develop empathy. Do not discriminate against differences; embrace the

diversity. And do not forget the sacrifices that have been made to gain your freedom; continue

the acts of selflessness that founded the country you live in today. But most importantly,

remember that you must make your life an honest one, not an easy one.

On that note, I’d like to be very honest about one more thing: going through the

pandemic was one of the hardest things that we have recently experienced together as a nation.

And if I had the choice, I would choose to forget about it. That would be the easy choice,

forgetting about it. But that’s not right. That would be like forgetting WWI, WWII, or the Great

Depression ever even happened. But during my time in quarantine, I suddenly realized just how

much I depended on people for my happiness. Never did I have so much time to witness the

tragic events that showed up on the news everyday. Never did I have so much time to ponder if
 Giang 5

humankind was pure evil or not. I remember feeling completely lost, helpless to not simply my

nation but to my family as well. A terrible feeling, yes. But in the long run it may have been

necessary for me to learn. And it may have been necessary for the nation to learn. May we not

take humanity and human interactions for granted ever again, but cherish our fellow Americans

that we get to see face to face, and not through a screen (good grief).

With all that being said, it is here that my journey in class 2608 comes to an end. I’ve

learned an infinite amount of hard facts, but I’ve also learned that there’s a real hope for

humanity. May we continue to apply the constitutions of humility and mercy when interacting

with our fellow Americans. May we be better than our conflicts and approach disputes with

cooperation and compromise. May we open our arms in a loving embrace towards immigrants

and newcomers to our promising nation. And may we live an honest, diligent, and hardworking

life that strives to honor and sacrifice for the greater good of the United States of America.