America 250: Securing the Dream for Us All

Dr. King famously stated that “We cannot have a first-class nation with second class citizens.” Yet 250 years after the founding nation, are we expanding or retracting the promises of democracy and freedom?

This performance/talk is taken from a new production by Playwright Dr. Ted Williams III entitled Unum. Unum is a Latin word that means “one.” Unum chronicles one man's fictitious run for national office from the state of Illinois. The protagonist, Xavier Campbell, is a middle-aged man who wants to make a difference in his community. He’s given into cynicism and despair as he’s seen the inequality and division in the world around him. His community is suffering, and he’s given up hope that things can be better. During a lively dinner conversation with a group of friends, they challenge him to run for office again. He balks at the idea assuming that change is impossible. Yet through a series of events, he decides to work to find a way to manifest the ideals that this nation has never fully represented. The production addresses major dilemmas facing our democracy, including gun violence, gerrymandering, unequal school funding, the military industrial complex, and access to quality housing and healthcare, with a sense of hope and opportunity for the future. 

This presentation has been taken from Williams’ experiences as an Illinois-based political science professor, commentator, candidate for public office, and artist. The performance addresses a number of significant questions. 

• During a time of significant political challenges, how can we work towards a thriving democracy in both Illinois and across the nation?
• How do we ensure that the promise of America extends to all people?

This presentation aligns with the Illinois America 250 Commission's theme “We the People.” This theme invites us to explore ideas of who has been included and who has been left out of the nation’s promise, as well as how people from all backgrounds have shaped and reshaped what it means to be part of “the people.” The Illinois America 250 Commission's goals are to uplift local stories, places, and programs; build pride; and showcase how Illinois brings the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life.

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.