Dear Pridelines Community,
As we observe Presidents’ Day, we reflect on the American presidency, not as a symbol of power, but as a commitment to the sacred task of perfecting our Union. This day honors leaders who have embraced the responsibility of serving We the People. As President Biden reminded us in his Oval Office address in the summer of 2024, “Presidents aren’t kings. They serve the people, not the other way around.”
As a kid who grew up in a multi-cultural family in the South Bronx, I believed in the promise of America. I believed in the lessons taught by my high school civics teachers, Mr. McCarthy and Ms. Faciligia. I drank the Kool-Aid and believed that democracy worked for all of us, that America was a nation where justice, opportunity, and freedom prevailed. Though times seem difficult and my belief in democracy has been challenged, I return to the principles and bedrock of democracy, that it is a government for and by the people.
This democracy will not perish under the weight of one wannabe dictator, because, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “We shall overcome.”We, the people, will rise, we will resist, and we will defend the values that make this nation a beacon of hope for all. The goal of the presidency has never been to serve personal ambition or individual power; rather, it has been to defend and protect the American people. Today, we honor those presidents who have taken their oath of office seriously, not to serve their own self-interest, but to uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and equality for all. The presidency is not a tool for authoritarianism, but a solemn duty to safeguard the freedoms and rights that define our nation.
We honor the legacy of George Washington, who willingly stepped down after two terms, rejecting monarchy and setting a precedent for peaceful transitions of power. We honor Abraham Lincoln, who preserved the Union and redefined the promise of democracy through the Emancipation Proclamation. We remember Woodrow Wilson, who championed the idea of collective security and self-determination on the world stage, laying the groundwork for global democracy. We acknowledge Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led with resolve through economic despair and war, proving that the government can be a force for good.
We recognize Lyndon B. Johnson, whose Great Society programs and unwavering commitment to civil rights expanded opportunity and justice for millions of Americans. We reflect on John F. Kennedy, who inspired a generation to serve their country and fight for civil rights. We acknowledge Bill Clinton, who sought to expand economic opportunity and social progress. We celebrate Barack Obama, who broke barriers and advanced the fight for equity and inclusion. Under his leadership, significant strides were made in LGBTQ+ rights, including the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," allowing lesbian, gay, and bisexual soldiers to serve openly, and the signing of federal workplace protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
We also recognize Joe Biden, who continues to remind us that democracy must be defended, not taken for granted. His administration has been hailed as the most pro-LGBTQ+ in American history, achieving major milestones in expanding freedoms and protections for the community.
As President Obama once said, “The presidency is about more than a single individual, or even a single administration; it’s about the ideals that we embody, the values that we uphold, and the democracy that we preserve.” These words remind us that the presidency is not about status or personal power; it is about having character in public life, standing firm in the face of adversity, leading with integrity, and ensuring that every American has a voice and a stake in our democracy.
At Pridelines, we celebrate the progress that these leaders have helped make possible, ensuring that all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or background, have a place in our democracy. But progress is never guaranteed. It requires us, the people, to remain engaged, to hold our leaders accountable, and to demand that the highest office in the land reflects the highest values of our nation: freedom, opportunity, upward mobility, and peace.
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to those ideals.
Happy Presidents’ Day!
Dr. Edward Summers
Executive Director
Pridelines
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