#american values

On July 4, 2026, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the question of whether Hollywood movies continue to embody and reflect American values has become a central point of cultural discussion. Historically, the American film industry has often depicted narratives that reinforce national identity, patriotism, and widely held societal principles, but recent trends suggest a…

The Declaration of Independence: A Vision and Values that Defines America.

We are celebrating the 250 year anniversary of our nation. A nation that was born on July 4th 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed and five days later read aloud in Philadelphia and New York. One of my favorite policy thinktanks, the Brookings Institute, took this occasion to promote a deep reflection on the words of this powerful document. To that end they developed a podcast series of these words and what it meant then and what it means for us now.

I have held on to two lines that for me has set the moral values that define what America is. America is not defined by an aristocratic status, a specific communal or tribal identity, a religious code, none of this. An American is not attached to the soil or to a certain family trade or expectation that limited one’s identity. Instead, what gives American’s their identity are the values that are laid out on this document, and specifically in these two sentences:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Hopefully most of us know the first sentence, it is popular enough for us to accept and repeat although these days we must also ask all Americans to deeply reflect on these values and to consider how this continues to define us today. But the last line is lesser known to us. The first sentence protects the individual right that we all hold on to, it defines our own sense of subsidiarity with one another. But the last sentence helps us acknowledge our commitment to solidarity, to the common good, to the idea of the union which wold be further developed in the Constitution.

In Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, offers her insight on how the last sentence of the Declaration formed the ideals for establishing our union. In her reflection she does suggest that in moments of crisis our nation tends to come together and live within the ideals of this last sentence (although not perfectly). The United States is acknowledged to be a very individualistic society but we do come together during a national tragedy.

One value that requires a deep reflection is the notion of "Our Sacred Honor." What does this phrase mean to us? where do we find the sacred in our own nation's sense of self? The podcast recognizes that social media, the disparity of wealth, the use of technology, have all shifted our sense of communal identity that we need to reflect on with regards to what is "Our Sacred Honor." On this, the 250 anniversary of this nation, we as a nation need to consider our own national identity and where we find "Our Sacred Honor" as we relate and respect one another.

I invite all my readers and friends to take a break from our political disharmony and to reflect on the vision and values of what it means to be Americans. This excerpt from Ken Burns' "The American Revolution" goes into the historical impact of this document.

The entire podcast that reflects on the words of the Declaration can be found here under the Brookings Institute's Democracy in Question: America at 250.

I offer the following post as well that reflects on July 4th and our cherished American values:

New York City, History and Values

American Belief and Values

Eleanor Roosevelt and the Promise of Human Rights

July 4th Reflection on Religious Liberty

“Dedicated Here to the Unfinished Work Which They Who Fought Here Have Thus Far so Nobly Advanced”

FDR and the Second Bill of Rights

The Spirit of the Law: The Christian lens of Legal Interpretation

A Happy 250 year anniversary to America and to all who call the United States of America their home and share in the dream. Throughout these years we have sought to live by the sacred words that define us and have attempted to commit to them through our sacred honor. At times we have fallen short from this vision and today we recognize our imperfections. Our own Brooklyn Diocese recognized this when Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue reflected on the following prayer consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I will offer the prayer below. May God forgive us our transgressions and in His mercy continue to secure for us "the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."

Prayer Consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you. From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst. Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you. We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation. May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed. May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love. O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In celebration of our nation’s anniversary, its cherished values, turbulent history, and sacred consecration I would also like to include this article from the Jesuit magazine “America” which goes into the “storied history of the church in this country and asks how Catholics today can continue to contribute to the good of the republic.”

I end this reflection with the following thought from the editors of our national Jesuit magazine.

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Every year, Memorial Day arrives with cookouts, family gatherings, sales events, and the unofficial beginning of summer. For many people, especially younger generations, the meaning behind the holiday can sometimes get lost beneath the celebration. But Memorial Day is far more than a long weekend. It is a day of remembrance.A day of honor.A day set aside to recognize the men and women who…

“Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” was a TV show that ran from 1984-1995. It offered a glimpse into, you guessed it, the lives of the rich and famous. I remember watching it as a child. Here is a clip from the TV show from 1990 featuring Donald Trump and Michael Jackson. I believe “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous is where I came to know Donald…