Ionic Columns

I have made a development in my internal battle. I will now describe to you my progressive enlightenment: The very fact that these buildings are open to the public, that they are widely used by the public, and that they are not seen as works of art but as ways to preserve history is a good thing. It is the history within the walls that makes each painting and ornate ceiling beautiful. Both old and young people walking through the halls are equally enriched and enlivened to our wondrous history. Hopefully they are infused with the notion that our government is a miracle.

Corinthian Columns

Antiquated is the word of the first two weeks, and it gives me the chills. I am struck by the beauty and grandeur of these edifices. I understand the history and symbolism. But when I tell people that a statue symbolizes freedom, what does that really mean? We can have as many symbols as one portrait will contain, but if they are not reflected in our world then what good are they?

I don’t want our ideals to turn into antiquated buildings that house statues and paintings with placards telling a historical story with such abhorrent bias. We can’t forget those stories and leave them in the past or their lessons will have no place in our lives today.

How can such noble ideas of the founding trickle down to every day-to-day action of the people who represent that founding? I look up and see paintings and statues of our great history then look down at each letter that passes through my hands. Maybe it’s unproductive to compare a universal to an individual unit of analysis. Maybe that will leave more room for exploration?

In any case, my former stance as an inactive participant won’t fly here. And yet, how can you quantify success when it is measured in terms of spreading an idea? Another question. This topic is one of musings and no conclusions. How frustrating.