We are a nation that stands on the brink of division. I say the brink rather than already divided because we have not yet broken apart. (That said, if California and other liberal states vote to secede, I will not be upset.)
Regardless, we are on this brink because America has forgotten her moral and religious foundations. We don’t know what it is to be American, and many no longer see being American as a good thing, preferring to pledge their allegiance to another identity altogether – political, racial, or sexual. But our founding fathers didn’t see things this way.
When George Washington astounded everyone by giving up the presidency after two terms, he delivered the most prophetic speech in our history, which also encouraged us to look to our shared founding for unity. Washington said:
Citizens by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.
With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together. The Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.
In other words, what unifies us is our shared (Judeo-Christian) religion, manners, habits, and political principles.
We have forgotten these unifying aspects, breaking into tribes rather than states.
A recent example of this is the Karmelo Anthony trial. In April 2025, a white student, Austin Metcalf, told Anthony, a black student, to leave the tent he was in at a track meet. He didn’t do this because the student was black, but because Anthony was from an opposing school and should have been in that school’s tent. Anthony refused to move and told Metcalf to make him move. As happens when two boys get into a conflict, things got physical. Metcalf shoved Anthony. In retaliation, Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the heart with a knife, killing Metcalf.
This week, Anthony was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Considering the offense, that’s a light sentence.
The response to this sentence is nothing short of baffling, however. Protests erupted. Politicians claimed it was a lynching. Many claimed Anthony was only convicted and sentenced because of his race. One woman exclaimed she had five boys and didn’t know what to do anymore if Anthony could be convicted. (Perhaps teach them not to stab anyone?)
Many social media accounts proclaim the unfairness of the ruling, complaining that it is unfair that a black child is unable to stab someone in response to shoving. “What else can they do?" these accounts ask. Again, I would suggest not stabbing another person, walking away instead.
But what if we went back to our principles and were a nation unified by our ideas and religion? There would likely be no dissension over this case, for we would agree that our laws are created to punish wrongdoers and give justice to their victims. We would trust in the system of laws based on our ideals.
In this particular case, we would see that the jury was asked to consider whether Anthony committed voluntary manslaughter or first-degree murder. This jury was selected by the prosecution and the defense. They heard all the evidence and quickly came back with a guilty verdict of first-degree murder.
If we thought through this with our ideals and principles, we would see that the facts fit the verdict – that stabbing someone with a knife to the heart in response to a shove after repeatedly telling the victim you were going to hurt them, is not reasonable self-defense, it is premeditated murder. Race does not protect you from the principle that unreasonable force done with the intent to kill or severely injure a person is murder. It’s just as simple as that.
We must return to identifying ourselves by our principles and common identity. This is partially why our Christian roots are so important.
As Christians, we understand that a principle or belief can bind us. Christians are bonded together by a shared belief that Christ died, rose again, and is the propitiation for our sins, justifying us before a holy God despite our sinful natures. Christians are not all the same race, color, sex or nationality. We just all believe the same thing.
Likewise, Americans share the same concept. We are not all the same race, color, or even original nationality. But we are bound by a shared belief that God has given people the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We have fought and died for these principles repeatedly. But if we don’t remember this foundation, our division will soon be complete.
Laura Clark is a wife, mother, and community activist. She currently serves as the interim president of Alabama Center for Law and Liberty, a conservative nonprofit law firm that fights for limited government, free markets, and strong families in the courts. Anything written by Laura for this publication does not constitute legal advice.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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