America’s greatest challenge has always been living up to the soaring pledge of the Declaration of Independence. When America falls short on this sacred promise of equality, it undermines our national motto e pluribus unum. This July 4th, a pluribus of contributors—black, white, gay, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Americans, natural-born, naturalized, liberal, libertarian, and conservative—reflect on how a renewed commitment to equality, rightly understood, is the basis for national unity.  

This series is part of an initiative of RealClear American Civics, sponsored by the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation (click here to learn more). It may be republished for free with attribution. These terms do not apply to any photos or images that appear with articles.

You can help further these efforts in American Civics by making a tax-deductible contribution to the RealClearFoundation, a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with RealClearPolitics.  

Pieces

• "Black Lives Matter's Silence on a Champion of Racial Equality" by Robert L. Woodson Sr.
• "What We Celebrate on the Fourth" by Robert Curry
• "Equality Is Messy -- and Magical" by Irshad Manji
• "America's Sovereignty Is Teetering on a Precipice" by Carol M. Swain
• "A Riven USA: Still the Last, Best Hope?" by Dennis Hale
• "Franklin's Admonition" by Roger Kimball
• "An Independence Day Message for African Americans" by Charles Love
• "What Does Our Nation Mean to Us? Rejecting the Culture of Hate" by Daniel J. Mahoney
• "On July 4, Embracing Equality, Rejecting Tribalism" by David Azerrad
• "Equality and the American Dream" by C. Bradley Thompson
• "Great American Minds on 'All Men Are Created Equal'" by Mike Sabo
• "The Greatness of America" by Luis Farias
• "On the Key Ingredient of American Greatness" by Antjuan Seawright

Watch

The Hope Inspired by the Declaration: A Fourth of July Conversation