America's grace and beauty

“I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty,” – John F. Kennedy

In his foresightful address at Amherst College in 1963, John F. Kennedy envisioned an America unafraid to celebrate grace and beauty. Yet, today, we find ourselves further from Kennedy’s ideal than ever before. In a society increasingly valuing conformity and mediocrity, the pursuit of excellence, whether in art, thought, or achievement, faces diminishing esteem. Kennedy’s plea for a nation that embraces the aesthetic and intellectual now echoes in a landscape where the exceptional is often met with skepticism or disdain. This cultural shift towards mediocrity and the undervaluing of personal achievements not only undermines our progress but also contradicts the very essence of the American spirit Kennedy sought to uplift. The challenge before us is not just to remember his words, but to live by them—to create a culture that celebrates achievement, cherishes beauty in all its forms, and encourages rather than fears the pursuit of excellence.