Continuing the Journey: ‘We the People’ and the Quest for Equality
The United States Constitution opens with the powerful phrase, “We the People,” reflecting the foundational ideals of equality, justice, and the protection of individual rights. This declaration embodies a vision of a nation where all individuals, regardless of their race, religion, or background, are equal before the law. “We the People” is a profound aspiration; it signifies the promise of a united nation where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is rejected.
This principle is at the core of American democracy. Given the presence of racism, prejudice, and hate crimes in today’s society, we question what the framers of the Constitution, like James Madison and George Washington, truly envisioned when they used this phrase.
While the Constitution sought to create a more perfect union, the reality at the time was that many individuals, particularly enslaved African Americans and Native Americans, were excluded from its benefits. How do we reconcile the ideals of the Constitution with the historical context of exclusion? Curtis Mayfield, a prominent musician and civil rights advocate, recognized the struggles of those who felt excluded from the ideals of “We the People.” In his song “We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue,” Mayfield addressed the challenges and injustices faced by people of color.
A recent incident involving two hikers, myself, a black man, and my friend Amir, who is from the Middle East, raises important questions about the persistence of hate crimes in contemporary society and the challenges we continue to face. We embarked on a hiking adventure in Orange County, CA with Benny (Amir’s dog), only to return to the car with shattered windows, a bullet hole in the hood of the car, and a boot print on the door.
Earlier in the hike, someone drove past us with a “We the People” bumper sticker. While this incident is deeply distressing in itself, it becomes more concerning when we consider the fact that we are people of color hiking. Yet, nothing was stolen from the car, questions arise about whether this was a hate crime.
The incident took place on a mountain with no cell service, leaving us isolated. We were left questioning what might have happened if the situation escalated further. This lack of connection to the outside world serves as a chilling reminder of the vulnerability that some individuals face in secluded areas. The incident raises a critical question: why, in a nation founded on the principles of equality, are we still experiencing hate crimes? This contradiction between the constitutional ideal of “We the People” and the persistence of hate crimes is a challenge we must confront.
Hate crimes are criminal acts committed against individuals based on their perceived differences, often fueled by prejudice and discrimination. In this case, the motivations behind the attack remain unclear, but the fear is palpable.
The story of Aaron Jones, a Black hiker from Chicago, illustrates the challenges faced by BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of color) outdoor enthusiasts. For many, the fear of being in nature is very real, rooted in the historical perception that bad things happen to Black people in wooded areas. Lynching, a painful part of American history, is just one example. Such fears reflect a history where Black people went into the woods but did not always return, echoing the dark chapters of the civil rights movement and slavery.
How does “We the People” relate to the ongoing struggle for equality, particularly for marginalized groups like women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals who have historically faced discrimination and had to fight for their rights? How do civic engagement and the active participation of citizens contribute to making “We the People” a reality, and what role does it play in holding the government accountable to the people?
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation or feel unsafe while outdoors, it’s essential to get to a safe location with cell service or seek help immediately. Once we noticed the glass shattered, our first instinct was to get to a safe, public location. So we placed jackets on the glass and got the fuck out of dodge. When hiking or engaging in outdoor activities, consider taking precautions to ensure your safety, such as letting someone know your plans, using well-traveled routes, and ensuring you have communication devices like a satellite phone or a shared location in areas with poor cell service.
The incident on the mountain emphasizes the importance of continually working to eliminate discrimination, prejudice, and violence. We must collectively strive for a more inclusive and equitable society where the ideals of the Constitution are fully realized for all. The incident also serves as a sobering reminder that “We the People” is not merely an aspirational phrase in a document, but a call to action—a call to continually work toward a more just and inclusive society. By addressing the question of why hate crimes persist, we take a step toward ensuring that the ideals of the Constitution become a lived reality for everyone, regardless of their backgrounds and identities. In the great outdoors, as in all aspects of American life, everyone should be able to enjoy their experiences without fear or prejudice.
You start dying when you stop dreaming.