In The Library I Trust
If you’re like me, you have a tattoo. I designed mine myself and it remains a meaningful way of permanently committing to what it represents. It is with that brief prologue in mind that I’d like to talk about putting “In God We Trust,” on the Freeport Public Library.
Before we get too far down this rabbit hole, let me clarify the issue I want to address. For the moment, I’m not interested in debating whether “In God We Trust” should the official motto of the U.S. or not. I’m personally opposed and have yet to come across an argument for that didn’t strike me as willfully ignorant. This debate SHOULD be had but because it has already been decided(by a bunch of people who aren’t us), we have skipped that part. For the moment, all I want to talk about is whether the motto should be placed on the Freeport Public Library.
The big argument seems to be simply that it’s our national motto. If it’s good enough to stamp on all our money, it’s good enough for our public buildings.
First, I don’t have a choice but to use money. It doesn’t matter what motto it holds, I’m not paying attention to it because I don’t have an option. I can’t stop using money just because I disagree with what it says. I do have a choice to use the library or not though. If I’m confronted with a motto that I find distasteful every time I check out a new book, why wouldn’t I find a different knowledge sanctum?
Second, there are a lot of things on our money: symbols, monuments, the signature of the Secretary of the Treasury. Does that mean every public building has to bear the signature and seal of its corresponding department over the entrance? I guess that means Betsy DeVos will be staring at me the next time I enter the high school.
Beyond the money, the simple fact that it’s the national motto is a compelling argument. Agree or disagree, the motto has been reaffirmed and is official. Are we required to show allegiance for every official declaration? Because the Bald Eagle is the official national bird, does that mean it has to be my favorite bird? Do I have to get a rose tattoo because it’s the official national flower? Should all public buildings be mandated to play the national anthem on loop during working hours? (And you know how I feel about that song.)
Required allegiance to whatever dictates the presiding government declares doesn’t sound like a democratic republic. Dictated allegiance points us in a different direction.
We like to claim to be a government “by the people, for the people.” Note the direction that government would flow in. It’s not that the government decides something and the people have to play catch up. The people decide and the government puts it into place. That’s why we vote. That’s why we have public debate and commentary. That’s why we have government supported institutions like libraries: to ensure a well-educated citizenry. The representatives should respond to our decisions, not the other way around.
“In God We Trust” is the national motto. If a significant portion of the people that fuel the nation find it less than optimal, it should be debated! This government is supposed to work from the ground up. We don’t have to be blindly obedient to leadership. We are that leadership! Let’s debate the value and appropriateness of that motto before we tattoo it on our city. What better place for informed, intellectual debate than a library?
