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Bradley Project Report, 'E Pluribus Unum' - Calls for Dialogue on America's National Identity
PR Newswire ^ | June 3, 2008 | Anon

Posted on 06/08/2008 11:52:44 AM PDT by fgoodwin

The Bradley Project Releases Its Report, 'E Pluribus Unum' - Calls for National Dialogue on America's National Identity

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-03-2008/0004825455&EDATE=
http://tinyurl.com/6jrswk

Report Finds That America is Facing an Identity Crisis and is in Danger of Becoming Not "From Many, One" - E Pluribus Unum - But Its Opposite, "From One, Many"

June 3, 2008
PR Newswire (press release), NY

Sixty-Three Percent of Americans Believe Our National Identity is Weakening, and One in Four Believe the Nation is So Divided That a Common National Identity is Not Possible

WASHINGTON, June 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bradley Project on America's National Identity today released its Report, "E Pluribus Unum," the product of a two-year study involving a number of our nation's leading academics, public figures, journalists, educators and policy experts. The report examines four aspects of American life crucial to American identity: historical memory, civic education, assimilation, and national security.

The report finds that America is facing an identity crisis and calls for a national dialogue on America's national identity. According to James Ceaser, professor of politics at the University of Virginia and a participant in the project, America's understanding and appreciation of diversity is important but must be balanced by an emphasis on what we share. "In selecting the title E Pluribus Unum, the Project embraces the conviction that plurality and unity are not necessarily in tension with one another, but are supporting ideas of the same national experiment," Ceaser said. "Plurality is only made safe when it is grounded in a deeper commitment to national unity. Unity is the precondition for healthy diversity."

To inform its work, the Bradley Project asked Harris Interactive to conduct a study on Americans' views on national identity. The good news is that most U.S. citizens believe there is a unique national identity that defines what it means to be an American. The troubling news is that over six in ten believe our national identity is getting weaker. And "even more troubling is that younger Americans - on whom our continued national identity depends - are less likely than older Americans to believe in a unique national identity or in a unique American culture." Indeed, 45 percent of 18-34 year old Americans believe that international law should trump the U.S. Constitution in instances where there is a conflict.

According to Professor Ceaser, "The weight of all this evidence suggests mounting confusion about the meaning of American national identity and a loss of commitment to its promotion."

"The findings from the report are sobering and significant. They raise subjects that are vital to our future, transcend partisanship, and clearly resonate with the American people," said Rick O'Donnell, Executive Director of the Bradley Project. O'Donnell continued: "Our intention is that the report be the starting point for a national conversation on these important issues. Silent Spring in 1962 started a conversation that brought about significant changes in our environment. A Nation at Risk in 1983 launched an ongoing national conversation that continues to reshape American education. It is in that tradition that we release E Pluribus Unum."

A number of notable scholars have already joined this conversation and commented on the Bradley Project report.

Walter A. McDougall, Pulitzer-prize winning historian and professor at the University of Pennsylvania calls the report: "An eloquent defense of America's intellectual, civic, and moral identity that deserves wide circulation, especially among American youth."

Harry Lewis, former Dean at Harvard College, says of the report: "A stirring reminder that America is more than the union of our differences, and a rational program for preserving the nation by passing American ideals on to the next generation of citizens."

Amy A. Kass, of the University of Chicago, writes: "The Bradley Project's report addresses the urgent problem of American identity in our global and multicultural age, and its wise recommendations for promoting civic consciousness and civic understanding couldn't be more timely or more fitting."

James C. Rees, Executive Director of Mount Vernon, said: "This report confirms what we experience at Mount Vernon every day - that most Americans know precious little about their own history. George Washington's face is still familiar to most Americans, because we see it each day on the dollar bill. But when asked about Washington's character and leadership, which made all the difference in the world to the founding of our nation, the average citizen is rendered speechless."

The report makes clear that we didn't get to this point overnight, and that addressing our challenges is a long-term imperative. In addition to its call for an immediate and comprehensive national dialogue on America's national identity, it recommends:

• a renewed focus on the teaching of American history,
• embracing America's heroes and historic landmarks,
• affirming the benefits of diversity, but not adopting policies that perpetuate divisions or compromise our national identity,
• inaugurating an initiative to ensure immigrants learn English, understand democratic institutions, and participate fully in the American way of life,
• and creating an annual Presidential Award for American Citizenship for students and new citizens who demonstrate exemplary understanding of and commitment to American ideals and institutions.

Professor Ceaser concludes: "The report speaks of a nation 'founded not on a common ethnicity,' but 'on an idea.' And it argues that 'a nation founded on an idea starts anew with each generation and with each new group of immigrants.'" "Knowing what America stands for is not a genetic inheritance," said Ceaser. "It must be learned, both by the next generation and by those who come to this country. From this premise follow many of the recommendations to strengthen the serious study of American principles and the American founding at all levels of education, including college."

SOURCE The Bradley Project


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2revise; 4marxism; 4revisionism; acculturation; balkanization; bradleyproject; bradleyreport; englishonly; epluribusunum; immigration; meltingpot; nationalidentity
"45 percent of 18-34 year old Americans believe that international law should trump the U.S. Constitution in instances where there is a conflict"

That is scary . . .

1 posted on 06/08/2008 11:52:44 AM PDT by fgoodwin
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To: All
For a copy of the report, see: http://bradleyproject.org/
2 posted on 06/08/2008 11:57:23 AM PDT by fgoodwin (Fundamentalist, right-wing nut and proud father of a Life Scout!)
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To: fgoodwin

> “45 percent of 18-34 year old Americans believe that international law should trump the U.S. Constitution in instances where there is a conflict”

I blame teachers and their Marxist mentality and teachings for this.


3 posted on 06/08/2008 12:03:16 PM PDT by BuffaloJack
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To: fgoodwin
"Professor Ceaser concludes: "The report speaks of a nation 'founded not on a common ethnicity,' but 'on an idea.'"

That's a lie. America was created by white people, for white people.

Up until the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (sponsored by Ted Kennedy), America had been actively protecting its ethnic makeup.
4 posted on 06/08/2008 12:06:18 PM PDT by joseph20 (...to ourselves and our Posterity...)
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To: fgoodwin

If true it is because of “our nation’s leading academics, public figures, journalists, educators and policy experts” themselves.


5 posted on 06/08/2008 12:18:25 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: fgoodwin
  • Cull the herd.

6 posted on 06/08/2008 12:20:12 PM PDT by I see my hands (_8(|)
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To: fgoodwin
I think this is very important and something that definitely needs national dialog. I agree with the general idea of this report that something is really amiss. However this report to me is tap dancing around the real issues and ultimately the conclusion does all it can to perpetuate that which is helping to take us down this path to hell and national destruction.

One in Four Believe the Nation is So Divided That a Common National Identity is Not Possible

I'll bet too that those are the ones who are really paying attention.

the product of a two-year study involving a number of our nation's leading academics, public figures, journalists, educators and policy experts

I am glad to see these areas represented but they are also the very same ones who have been instrumental in helping to push us down this path.

America's understanding and appreciation of diversity is important but must be balanced by an emphasis on what we share. "In selecting the title E Pluribus Unum the Project embraces the conviction that plurality and unity are not necessarily in tension with one another, but are supporting ideas of the same national experiment," Ceaser said. "Plurality is only made safe when it is grounded in a deeper commitment to national unity. Unity is the precondition for healthy diversity."

I think that is an important statement and I would go even further to say the words 'diversity" & "important" both need more definition because from where I sit that is a big part of the problem.

that plurality and unity are not necessarily in tension with one another

I would like to see that proved. I don't think I agree but of course it depends on what is meant by "plurality" As I would define this I don't think it is really possible without force like we have now.

The good news is that most U.S. citizens believe there is a unique national identity that defines what it means to be an American. The troubling news is that over six in ten believe our national identity is getting weaker.

I would go even further. I would bet that national identity would by and large be define differently and would also largely be along racial lines although not exclusively.

Indeed, 45 percent of 18-34 year old Americans believe that international law should trump the U.S. Constitution in instances where there is a conflict.

I agree, if this is true it is indeed very troubling. However as I stated above many of the institutions represented in this study are greatly responsible for this. That and the fact that we have given over educating our children to socialist indoctrination centers.

"The weight of all this evidence suggests mounting confusion about the meaning of American national identity and a loss of commitment to its promotion."

As long as we exclusively promote that America is only a "proposition" nation this will continue to be so and continue to worsen. The Balkans come to mind.

They raise subjects that are vital to our future, transcend partisanship

I agree 100% it is vital. I agree as well this should transcend partisanship but the practicality of it is just the opposite.

Silent Spring in 1962 started a conversation that brought about significant changes in our environment

Ironically or maybe not so ironic. Our government in 1965 implemented laws that had and are having grave effects on this very issue.

Amy A. Kass, of the University of Chicago, writes: "The Bradley Project's report addresses the urgent problem of American identity in our global and multicultural age, and its wise recommendations for promoting civic consciousness and civic understanding couldn't be more timely or more fitting."

Indeed. "global" & multicultural" the very two issues that go to the heart of the matter although something tells me that is not what she meant.

affirming the benefits of diversity, but not adopting policies that perpetuate divisions or compromise our national identity

How do you do that? and what EXACTLY is meant by "diversity"?

"The report speaks of a nation 'founded not on a common ethnicity,' but 'on an idea.' And it argues that 'a nation founded on an idea starts anew with each generation and with each new group of immigrants.'" "Knowing what America stands for is not a genetic inheritance," said Ceaser. "It must be learned, both by the next generation and by those who come to this country. From this premise follow many of the recommendations to strengthen the serious study of American principles and the American founding at all levels of education, including college."

This is partly crap and myopic in it ability to completely ignore the role this very mindset plays in out "national identity". It is also suggesting that really the people don't matter it is only the ideas. Most of our ancestors would disagree.

7 posted on 06/08/2008 1:04:31 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
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To: fgoodwin
This from a former dean whose college bans ROTC and has absolutely no coherent effort for "passing American ideals on to the next generation of citizens" (practice what you preach, Dean Lewis):

Harry Lewis, former Dean at Harvard College, says of the report: "A stirring reminder that America is more than the union of our differences, and a rational program for preserving the nation by passing American ideals on to the next generation of citizens."

8 posted on 06/08/2008 1:05:26 PM PDT by Enchante (Barack Chamberlain: My 1930s Appeasement Policy Goes Well With My 1960s Socialist Policies!)
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To: Altura Ct.

“How do you do that? and what EXACTLY is meant by “diversity”?”

It’s from the Latin, “Diver”, meaning “bend over” and “sity”, meaning White Man.


9 posted on 06/08/2008 1:14:16 PM PDT by dljordan
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To: Altura Ct.

Its interesting that 84% of survey respondents agreed that English s/b the official language of the US, yet the media reports (to the extent the MSM even covered this study) completely glossed over that fact.


10 posted on 06/08/2008 1:42:22 PM PDT by fgoodwin (Fundamentalist, right-wing nut and proud father of a Life Scout!)
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To: fgoodwin

Won’t see me agreeing with that quote you noted and I’m about in the middle of that age range.


11 posted on 06/08/2008 1:58:24 PM PDT by wastedyears (Like a bat outta Hell.)
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To: fgoodwin

The cure for THAT is homeschooling. All you get in public schools is propaganda on how great the UN is for world peace. BAH!!


12 posted on 06/08/2008 2:34:14 PM PDT by SatinDoll (Desperately desiring a conservative government.)
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To: joseph20

Oh, get off of it!

Over 60% of Americans are bi-racial or multi-racial. Many are not even aware of their multi-racial backgrounds.

Many freed black slaves had to state on census records that they were black even though they were so fair skinned they could pass for white. I know of some people whose ancestors moved west just so they could state they were white rather than black. Moving 1500 miles made a huge difference in the lives of many when racial prejudice reigned.


13 posted on 06/08/2008 2:39:20 PM PDT by SatinDoll (Desperately desiring a conservative government.)
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To: joseph20
That's a lie. America was created by white people, for white people.

Is that right?


14 posted on 06/08/2008 4:11:03 PM PDT by rdb3 (Upward, onward, beyond...)
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To: fgoodwin

Let me translate this article. The socialists are getting concerned. Just when they’re beginning to really win and consolidate their victories in the political sphere, increasing numbers of their would be subjects are...dare I say...being disrespectful and downright uppity towards their betters.

It’s difficult to institute a worker’s paradise when the proles don’t want anything to do with you.


15 posted on 06/08/2008 5:27:35 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!)
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To: joseph20
America was created by white people, for white people.

Wow. Just....wow...

16 posted on 06/08/2008 10:13:49 PM PDT by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: fgoodwin

These people need to add an important vehicle for their goal:

Work to have English declared the official language of the USA.

Without a common language, a coherent sense of national cultural unity is next to impossible.


17 posted on 06/09/2008 10:55:30 AM PDT by Bigg Red
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To: Bigg Red

Agreed — I haven’t read the full report, but I wonder if they looked at the problems in Canada where French is spoken in Quebec, and in Spain where I think the Basque separatists also speak a different language (at least, I think they do?).

I wonder if they’ve looked at the language make-up of the American Southwest if illegal immigration continues unchecked?


18 posted on 06/10/2008 8:03:25 PM PDT by fgoodwin (Fundamentalist, right-wing nut and proud father of a Life Scout!)
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