In this semiquincentennial year, I’ve heard more than a few folks say they wish they felt more celebratory about America at 250 but political division gets in the way. So much rancor and disagreement around every corner. It’s true, we live in a highly polarized moment of history. But I’m not sure that makes us unique, let alone defines us. In fact, today’s political climate bears an uncanny resemblance to that of early American politics.
I submit the case of two Founding Fathers: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The same duo that brought us the Declaration of Independence, also introduced political division. They shared the same vision for American independence but held intensely different views as to the nature of the new republic. For decades they worked in tandem. Then for years, they found themselves at cross-purposes, and their bond of friendship slowly unraveled. In time, the two would rekindle their long-held amity. The full arc of their friendship provides a sympathetic model for how we each might approach our own feelings in the countdown to America’s 250th.
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