UNUM: Pride, Reckoning, Aspiration with Dr. Theodore R. Johnson

About this episode

Dr. Theodore R. Johnson discusses his experiences and perspectives on patriotism and the American narrative.

Navy veteran Dr. Theodore Roosevelt Johnson, his family name a legacy first chosen to honor the new possibilities for Black Americans many presidents ago, writes about a football game when he stood during the National Anthem and his son—on the field as a player—chose to kneel. Both, he argues, are acts of love of country. Ted's life, service and scholarship are a love letter to America—both when he confronts our failure and takes pride in our accomplishments. Now Ted leads New America's Us@250 initiative which "seeks to reimagine the American narrative with a focus on three themes: pride in the nation's progress, reckoning with historical and contemporary wrongs, and aspiration for a better future." Learn more about our guests and find the program online here . This program is part of the series in partnership with Florida Humanities — "UNUM: Democracy Reignited," a multi-year digital offering exploring the past, present and future of the American idea — as it exists on paper, in the hearts of our people, and as it manifests (or sometimes fails to manifest) in our lives. View the full series of programs online here. ———————————————————— The Village Square is a proud member of The…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Theodore R Johnson

Topics covered

• Pride
• Reckoning
• Aspiration
• American narrative
• Patriotism

Keywords

• Navy veteran
• Black Americans
• National Anthem
• Us@250 initiative
• Florida Humanities

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: UNUM: Democracy Reignited, Democracy Reignited, Conversations Beyond 250

Places: America

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