The Declaration of Independence was always our vision of who we wanted to be, our ideal of freedom and justice, how we were going to be different, and what the American experiment was going to be about.

In this quote, Marian Wright Edelman reflects on the foundational significance of the Declaration of Independence in shaping the identity and ideals of the United States. She asserts that the Declaration was not just a historical document but also a vision of the nation’s aspirations. It represented the American ideal of freedom and justice, outlining a commitment to a society where these principles would define the nation’s identity and distinguish it from other countries. The Declaration set the tone for the nation’s goals and provided a framework for how the country would evolve.

Edelman emphasizes that the Declaration of Independence was an expression of the American experiment, which sought to create a new form of government based on principles of liberty and equality. By declaring independence from Britain, the Founding Fathers established an ambitious goal: to build a nation founded on the belief that individuals should have the freedom to shape their own destinies, guided by principles of justice and the recognition of inherent rights. This ideal was revolutionary at the time and became the cornerstone of the country’s identity.

The origin of this quote reflects Marian Wright Edelman’s long-standing work as a champion for children’s rights and social justice. As a civil rights activist and founder of the Children's Defense Fund, Edelman has continually pointed to the foundational documents of the nation, such as the Declaration of Independence, as benchmarks for what the United States should strive to uphold. Her view is that these documents should not just be revered historically but serve as guides for how the country must continue to pursue justice, equality, and freedom for all its citizens.

Ultimately, Edelman’s statement invites reflection on how the vision of the Declaration of Independence remains a powerful and guiding ideal for the United States. It calls for a continual commitment to ensuring that freedom and justice are not just ideals in theory but are realized in practice, challenging the nation to live up to its original promises. The American experiment, in Edelman’s view, is an ongoing effort to achieve the ideals set forth in this historic document.