The Penny and the Promise — This I Believe
It costs more to make it than it is worth, and its color, copper, represents only 2.5% of its composition. But this smallest of coins perhaps has had the most impact of any currency on who we are as a society and as individual Americans.
The story of the penny is a story of America. The first currency to be authorized by the US, its design has represented the nation for over 200 years, depicting aspects of America’s history, culture, and economic life. Since 1909, it’s symbolism has focused primarily on Abraham Lincoln. It has also been a powerful way to demonstrate the power of collective efforts, civic engagement, and philanthropy. Even though over the years its individual purchasing power has diminished, use of the penny has been a way to unify our citizens for common purposes since its very inception, putting into practice the motto that is stamped on the coin — E pluribus unum, Out of Many — One. The value of one penny may not amount to much in the grand scheme of things, but when people can get together and each contribute their pennies, the power multiplies and can be a great force for change — people, working together for one significant goal.
In years past, often it has been school children who have practiced and learned this lesson the most. Millions of school children across the US saved, collected, and raised donations to help build the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty in 1875. One hundred years later, school children were called upon again to raise pennies to refurbish the statue. Efforts like this have happened all over the country for years. It is a way for those of little means and those of above average means to make a meaningful contribution to a cause. With pennies, everyone can contribute. With pennies, everyone’s contribution is valuable. With pennies, anyone can change the world and see the impact of their combined efforts on areas of need.
This is ultimately a civics lesson in the promise of America. Even in my own little corner of the world our high school participates in a penny war for Homecoming — the proceeds of which go to our local food pantry. Students take all their spare change in jars, check their couches and floorboards of their cars and compete with each other to gain spirit points. But, in addition to glory that comes with winning a class spirit trophy, they learn about taking something relatively meaningless to them — the forgotten change from forgotten purchases — and making a difference in their local community. And even though the money is not significant enough to build a base for the Statue of Liberty, they are providing a type of liberty for people who are in need of it the most.
In trying to teach the rights and responsibilities of citizenship each year, I have found that perhaps the most valuable lesson students learn is being active citizens in their community and giving back as best they can — being participants in their community, making things a little better, and that significant change can start small and with little things that can build into greater change if we can work together toward a larger goal. In this age of cynicism toward “government” and politics, showing students that the little things they do and the little they have can make a difference is a powerful and authentic lesson in democratic values and ideals. The power of a penny is not in its size, metal content, or its face value. The power of the penny is in how it is used to renew the promise of America and Americans, over and over again. The penny is the promise.
