Does America live up to its own ideals?

Black Lives Matter protest in Washington D.C. Photo by Koshu Kunii. 2020.

Democracy: a small word and a big concept foundational to the United States. Ideally, we’re a country of pluralism and self determination, but the reality is often different. 

Many dark chapters exist in our history: Slavery and the extermination of Native Americans, Disenfrancisement and voter suppression.  Japanese internment and white supremacy.  And yet, many of the ideals that surround the founding of our country do slowly bend us towards justice.  So how is it that one nation could be founded on principles of equality while also oppressing so many people throughout its history?

UnTextbooked producer Anya Dua wanted to better understand these contradictions. Anya is herself an amalgamation of many different American experiences: Her mom’s side of the family were European settlers who came to the United States before it was even a country. Her dad is Indian and immigrated to America by way of Australia. Both of these are fundamentally American experiences, and gave Anya very different perspectives on American history.

In her research, Anya found the work of historian Jill Lepore, and read her book These Truths: A History of the United States. 

The “truths” in the book’s title—political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people—are gleaned from the Declaration of Independence.  In her introduction, Jill Lepore asks one question essential to a better understanding of our nation: “Does American history prove these truths, or does it belie them?” 

Book: These Truths: A History of the United States

Guest: Jill Lepore

Producer: Anya Dua

Music: Silas Bohen and Coleman Hamilton

Editor: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman