E Pluribus Unum

They looked different. His black mustache sat trimmed on his lip, his jet-black hair combed neatly to one side. Her hair flowed down to her waist, a white jasmine flower tucked behind her ear. The newlywed couple from India could easily be discerned in the crowd, her crimson, silk sari juxtaposing the humdrum shades of the western apparel about her. While she began to take in the new and unusual world around her, he was fascinated by some of the foreign currency he found on the ground. He inspected a coin, intrigued by the inscribed phrase – E pluribus unum. He pondered its meaning but struggled to grasp its significance.

They had disembarked with few possessions – two suitcases filled with only the bare necessities: a token sum of $1000 and their humble aspirations for a better life. This is how my parents arrived to the land of opportunity, embarking on their journey of hard work and sacrifice for a better life in a new world. America embraced them, sheltered them in the face of adversity, and taught them that all men are truly equal, all entitled to the fruits of their toil. This story is not unique: it is the story of millions of Americans, the legacy of our forefathers, representative of the true character of this nation.

Together, these millions of hopeful individuals have come to define a land of power and determination, rooted in the belief that with a collective mindset, we can achieve anything.

Founded on the fundamental premise that all men are truly equal, America rose, embracing the beliefs of a people who would soon be viewed as the torchbearers of the world. A sanctuary for free men, she has seen millions venture to her shores in search of hope and promise. The American Dream. Within this diversity, the backbone of the land is the presence of unity within her peoples. Commonly overlooked, yet ever-present in her title – the United States of America, our ability to transcend our differences has allowed ordinary people to collectively accomplish extraordinary feats. Lately, we are struggling to find unity – instead overlooking the inherent goodness in each other and letting our differences define one another.

I distinctly remember saluting the stars and stripes along with the entire student body in elementary school on September 11, 2001, shortly after the final terror attacks. As I looked around, I was overcome by a feeling of oneness, a feeling that the students that stood beside me shared my emotions, that they could experience my anguish, and I could theirs. We stood at the flagpole, silent, a giant organism pulsating in that cold September morning: each student living vicariously through the other, each comforted by the other’s presence, each feeling invincible rather than vulnerable. A similar movement swept the country, from large-scale efforts to small acts of kindness, as Americans set aside their differences against a common threat.

It is in such circumstances that we truly appreciate the potential of a collective mindset, realizing that the bond fellow citizens share is sacred. My father saw it first on that coin: E pluribus unum – out of many, we are one. It is a phrase that realizes that we are one people, united by a common creed and enriched by our diverse cultures.

In these troubling times, we have grown disillusioned and distrusting, wary of deceit and more conscious of our differences. It is in such circumstances that I firmly believe the true American character will emerge. Like my parents and the millions of other hopefuls who now call this country home, who today proudly identify themselves as Americans, I believe in the strength of unity and fraternity. Under leadership that manifests the very diversity that echoes the story of America itself, we will foster fraternity, work for a better tomorrow, and march into the future – together, our heads held high in the face of adversity. This, I believe.