A lot of people, including President Obama, are uncomfortable with the term "American Exceptionalism," and I can't blame them: the term sounds like we're saying that the U.S. is better than the rest of the world. But the meaning is closer to the concept of "the exception to the rule," though I don't mean exempt from following rules. It means our country's formation was unique in the history of the world.
Never before has there been a country created with a population so widely diverse as the United States, with no common heritage or culture or religion dictating the course of our fate. We are the wildcard, with the potential to rise above using the combined wisdom of the world, or to fall flat believing it doesn't apply to us.
Our diversity is a great strength, helping to make us a world leader in innovation, and as the Land of Opportunity, we understand that innovation often comes from the least expected places. In many cases, or ancestors came to this land to make a better life, because their homelands imposed restrictions that limited potential. We are defended from the world's most adventurous spirits, and those strong enough to escape oppression. This country is built on their optimism and highest ideals.
Therefore, it is important for the U.S. to honor immigrants as part of the reason America is great, to look to the histories of other nations and learn from their mistakes, to take responsibility for the role we play in the world, and to make sure all our citizens have the opportunity to reach their highest potential, because it helps us be stronger.
Times are hard now, but America is still great because we aren't held back by centuries'-old patterns; we are built on creating better futures.
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