The Essence of Being American
The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience defines essence and if America is an idea then Woody Norris is as much its essence as anyone.
I like the thought of America as an idea far better than its more usual worldwide definition as super-power, leader of the free world or any of the other misrepresentations. It’s the idea of America that inspired centuries of immigration. Streets paved with gold is an idea, certainly no reality, as is unlimited opportunity and the right to be whatever and whoever you desire. The American reality is often harsh, sometimes unfair, occasionally wrongheaded but the idea of America is what carries us through the lumps and bumps.
So then, who is this Woody Norris I have chosen as my representative?
Woody’s given name is Elwood Norris and he’s an inventor. What better choice for iconography in the matter of this country than an inventor. Franklin, Fulton, Jefferson, Whitney and Morse come immediately to mind and yet the very c…