I do not want to take anything away from the moon landing, it was a truly momentous achievement. I am still awed by the engineering and courage that resulted in such an accomplishment. I am however disappointed in the White House’s choice of words to mark the celebration yesterday.
The concept of “American Exceptionalism” is rooted in the concept of “Manifest Destiny”. The phrase does not simply mean we have done exceptional things as Americans rather that we are somehow better than all others by being American. It is this belief that led Americans to consider everything they did as a moral good, no matter what harm it caused others. It was this idea of American Exceptionalism that justified policies of extermination of Native Americans. It was this concept that led to overtly racist immigration practices in the 18th and 20th centuries.
I am not sure if the White is aware of the historical use of the concept of American Exceptionalism. And though admittedly I find it difficult to believe they are this ignorant of history I must at least allow this possibility. Either way it is extremely disappointing that they would choose this language when the concept has led to several stains on our history.
We as Americans can and should do better. It is one thing to be patriotic and celebrate the accomplishments of our nation’s past. It is another to insinuate that we have a unique grasp of morality or ability. And if we have so forgotten our history that we do not see the harm in the second then I pity our future.
Squinting in the Light 
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