From Greenland to Monrovia: A Monroe Legacy of Unity, Reconciliation & Reciprocity
Dear President Trump:
Some things never change.
As the United States looks across the Atlantic to its security and strategic relationships, I respectfully ask your Administration to look also toward Monrovia, Liberia—the African capital named for President James Monroe.
In 1823, President Monroe proclaimed the doctrine that bears his name. But as America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, another Monroe-era legacy deserves examination: Liberia and America’s unfinished promise that “all men are created equal.”
The contradiction began at home. America proclaimed equality in 1776, yet the Naturalization Act of 1790 restricted naturalization to a “free white person.” (National Archives) Within a generation, Black Americans were crossing the Atlantic to settlements that became Liberia.
The American connection was substantial. Federal policy, appropriations, and naval activity became intertwined with efforts to resettle Africans and African Americans on the West African coast. President Monroe supported colonization, and Liberia’s capital was ultimately named Monrovia in his honor.
Then came a remarkable declaration.
The Constitution for the government of the colony of Liberia provided:
“All persons born within the limits of the Territory held by the American Colonization Society, in Liberia, in Africa, or removing there to reside, shall be free, and entitled to all such rights and privileges as are enjoyed by the citizens of the United States.”
Two centuries later, the meaning and consequences of that extraordinary historical relationship remain worthy of national examination.
Mr. President, I respectfully ask your Administration to work with Congress on an America 250 Unity, Reciprocity, Reconciliation & Citizenship Act. Senators Chuck Grassley-R-IA and Ed Markey-D-MA were served drafts of the proposed bill commemorating America 250.
The legislation could open relevant federal records; establish an independent historical inquiry into the relationship among the United States Government, the American Colonization Society and the State of Liberia; examine the legal and historical meaning of the early Liberian constitutional language; and authorize Congress to determine whether citizenship, naturalization, recognition or other reconciliation measures are appropriate for historically connected Liberian populations.
This is about more than Liberia.
America enters its next 250 years still debating what equality, citizenship and national unity require. “United States” must be more than a name. America 250 presents an opportunity to examine where our institutions lived up to our founding principles—and where they did not.
Massachusetts offers an instructive example.
Its 1780 Constitution proclaimed: “All men are born free and equal.” (Massachusetts General Court) An enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, later Elizabeth Freeman, challenged slavery through the courts and won her freedom. Massachusetts legislation introduced for Elizabeth Freeman Day describes her case as demonstrating the power of that constitutional promise. (Massachusetts General Court)
Her challenge still speaks to America:
Do our founding words mean what they say?
Mr. President, American leadership is measured not only by territory, military strength or influence abroad. It can also be exercised through truth, reconciliation, reciprocity and respect for human dignity and self-determination.
That is why I ask you to consider a new chapter in the Monroe legacy beginning in Monrovia—not through nineteenth-century colonization, territorial acquisition or domination, but through an honest reckoning with history and consideration of remedies through the constitutional processes of the United States.
President Monroe’s name has stood on Africa’s Atlantic coast for more than two centuries. Liberia’s history remains deeply connected to decisions made in the United States.
Some things never change—but some things must.
As America celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, we have an opportunity to move beyond merely repeating “all men are created equal” and examine where our laws contradicted that promise, what consequences remain, and what can still be repaired.
Greenland may strengthen America’s security.[Text Wrapping Break]Monrovia can invite America to confront its history.
Let America 250 become more than a birthday celebration.
Let it become an opportunity for truth and national reconciliation.
United we stand. Divided we fall.
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Torli H. Krua[Text Wrapping Break]Founder, Free Liberia Movement[Text Wrapping Break]Founder, Universal Human Rights International
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