Day 4 in the US. Tabot and I in front of the White House
As my Cameroonian brother Tabot Arreytambe and I walked through most monuments (almost got to the Jefferson Memorial) yesterday, the feeling of visionary leadership, pride, history and culture struck me.
Indeed, it’s not the only reason America is great. But, I daresay it’s the very foundation of a country that knew exactly where it wanted to be and set out to achieve it, despite the challenges.
Till date, that history inspires generation after generation – they keep pushing the boundaries, discovering new possibilities, exploring new strategies to make the American experiment/experience better, honouring national heroes, maintaining a pioneering position in tech innovation and advancement, science, arts, etc. A fine balance of maintaining excellent standards and furthering past achievements whilst memories inspire the future… doing the hard things.
To paraphrase former American president John F. Kennedy’s 1962 speech at Rice University, “we choose to go to the moon…not because it is easy, but because it is hard.” That’s the spirit of greatness. To lead. To anticipate. To risk. To be excellent. To be human.
I salute the American spirit.