Beyond the symbolism of flag-waving and patriotic cliches lies the heart of American Democracy: our system of personal rights and human dignity. Conceived in rebellion against the absolute right of monarchs, the American revolution asserted that the people are sovereign, that they must be free to speak, to choose their leaders, to pray — or not to pray — as they wish. Messy, highly imperfect and in need of constant maintenance, it is a system that confers on us the priceless gift of human freedom. On this special two-part episode of Humankind, we explore the basic American right of citizens to follow the dictates of their conscience in their own personal pursuit of happiness. Hear PBS Filmmaker Ken Burns (top), philosopher/historian Jacob Needleman, and the words of America's founders, as we try to uncover the true meaning of America.
Americans in line to view the original Constitution, an injured Iraq War veteran, and an NBA basketball star who advocates a more engaged democracy tell of their vision for a better America. Also, more voices on what kind of a future Americans yearn for including a group of young people concerned about preserving the planet and combating global warming, and the editor of YES! Magazine, a journal of positive solutions.
Part raconteur, part rabble-rouser, Austin's Jim Hightower (former Texas Agriculture Commissioner) honors the American tradition of small groups of citizen activists who take on corporate and government policies that trample the powerless.