WFFJ-TV

I rose to my feet. This had to be a dream. Maybe it was just me. Just as I was reassuring myself with that thought, a man exited the building. He appeared to be wearing a wig, like some sort of founding father. He walked toward me.

“Good day, ma'am,” he said, “what brings you here?” I recognized him, in some sort of way. “I actually don’t know, sir.” I said, trying my hardest to not sound strange. “What is your name?” he asked me. I told him my name, to which he told me his name. Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson? What year was this? “Uh, Mr. Jefferson,” I said, dazed, “did you write the Declaration of Independence?”

“Yes, I did. I was the principal author, but the document was reviewed, of course, by my fellow founding fathers, who were searching for the same freedom as I.”

“Mr. Jefferson, what year is this?”

“This is the year of our Lord seventeen-eighty.”

This took a minute for me to understand. That meant it was 1780, over two hundred years ago. I had many questions for Thomas Jefferson. I just wasn’t sure how to ask them.
“Mr. Jefferson, what is your idea of freedom of speech?”

“I believe freedom of speech is a human right. This country has been established on the grounds of learning from our history. The British government undermined our freedom. This is why we, as the United States of America, strive to create a more perfect union. Every citizen of this union shall have the right to voice their opinion, no matter what opinion it may be. Every citizen of this union shall have the right to practice whatever religious beliefs they please no matter what beliefs they may be. To remain a free union that constantly strives to improve, we must embrace freedom of speech, or else we may endanger the free principles of this great nation.”

I hadn’t seen such patriotism in years. In the time I could remember, the majority of my generation wasn’t proud to be American. I decided to ask Thomas Jefferson his opinion on instilling patriotism in the American youth.

“Mr. Jefferson, how do you plan on carrying on patriotism to future generations?”

“My fellow legislators, myself among them, have made it one of our top priorities to protect the education system of this union. We must teach our children to preserve this union, to see our union in the same light as I. The education of our youth will make the difference between a free society, where freedom is cherished and preserved, or an oligarchical, tyrannical society, where fear leads the way, and the rights of the people are infringed upon. Education will make all the difference in keeping America a free union, or in this nation returning to the same tyrannical society we have exerted our greatest effort to avoid.”

I could have talked to this man all day long, but the feeling of dizziness had returned. I knew I would be back in 2023 soon.

“Thank you, Mr. Jefferson, but I must go.”

I would have talked more, but soon I was sitting on the floor of my room, and my cat was staring up at me like I was crazy. I knew I was, but it felt real to me. That’s when I realized how horrified the founding fathers would be if they saw America today. Whether it was a dream or not, it still proved something to me. America is a completely different nation than it was 246 years ago.

Note: This was a fictional account of a conversation I might have with Thomas Jefferson if we were to meet today.

-----
Josie is a twelve year-old seventh grade student at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School.