Nows and Forevers

Schoolhouse Rock!”

LIke anyone my age, “Schoolhouse Rock” was part of my childhood. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked that they are 50 years old this year. I was in kindergarten in 1973.

And yeah, “Schoolhouse Rock” was pretty influential. In the ’70s, that was a way to learn more about your country, its history, grammar, nutrition, and other topics. I still have several of those tunes rattling around in my head.

I learned the Preamble of the Constitution because of this song, long before I decided to make my living based on the First Amendment. Schoolhouse Rock’s “The Preamble” always gets me a little emotional. I even teared up a bit hearing the song at performed live at a show I took my kids to years ago.

Why? Because the song lays out the promise of this country, these United States, and for that lesson so long ago, I am thankful. It really is amazing, this country of ours, even though it’s been under stress lately. It’s not perfect, nothing ever is. And I’m beyond disappointed how it treats, and has treated, some of its people. Inequity and racism runs deep. We are never going to get to where we should be as a country til we fulfill those promises. I am thankful to both my parents for teaching me from a young age that the country has a long way to go until it lives up to the words of the Preamble to all people.

True in 1787, true in 1973, true in 2023.