In What the Constitution Means to Me, each character creates their own personal metaphor for the Constitution of the United States. For Becky Lee Dobbler, Heidi’s infamous opponent during the American Legion Hall Competitions, the Constitution is a patchwork quilt, made up of different fabrics all stitched together to form one cohesive article. For 15-year-old Heidi, it’s a crucible: a living, warm-blooded, steamy document capable of creating magic. For the debater, it’s a human being—imperfect and flawed, but growing and learning. While the Constitution means something different to each person, each metaphor suggests that change, hope, humanity, and unity are built into the fabric of our Nation. The American Legion Hall Competitions referenced in the play draw on this narrative, emphasizing personal connections to the Constitution and requiring participants to link the document to something specific from their own lives. What the Constitution Means to Me challenges audience members to do the same: what is your story and why does it matter? What does the Constitution mean to you? Most importantly, how do we all have power to make change in our Nation?
The Constitution of the United States is the oldest written national framework of government in the world. At the end of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington said, “I do not expect the Constitution to last for more than 20 years”. Yet, ratified in 1788, the Nation’s Constitution has lasted 237 years, begging the question, why has the Constitution survived all this time? When the Constitution was drafted, the framers worked to establish a broad, flexible structure of government that could adapt to the ever-changing needs of a growing Nation. At 4,543 words, the document is not overly detailed, leaving room for change. Across the last two centuries, congresses, presidents, and the courts have reinterpreted the document to meet the country’s changing needs in response to constant debate and critique.
Today, amidst rampant political polarization, the Constitution may provide a road map forward and through conflict. Much of our public discourse is motivated by contempt for those with different lived experiences and beliefs; however, in some ways, the Constitution may inspire avenues for the people of a nation as diverse as ours to come together despite vastly contrasting points of view. The preamble to the Constitution announces that the Constitution should help us to “form a more perfect union”. The first third of the Federalist Papers emphasizes how the Constitution can help people achieve unity, even in their disagreements. The Constitution works to create common ground, and compels us to join in common action. Evidently, the idea of unity is intrinsic to our country, suggesting that coming together as people is essential to what it means to live in the United States.
While our differences—in politics, experiences, or priorities—are significant, they are also necessary to facilitate connection and change. We all have the authority to speak up about how we are governed. The power to create change lies in our hands, and as citizens, it is our duty to advocate for what we believe.