Tradition! We scarcely know the word anymore. We are afraid to be either proud of our ancestors or ashamed of them. We cling to a bourgeois mediocrity which would make it appear we are all Americans, made in the image and likeness of George Washington.

Summary

This quote emphasizes how society has lost touch with tradition. It suggests that people have become hesitant to acknowledge their ancestral heritage, whether it be a source of pride or shame. The quote criticizes the "bourgeois mediocrity," implying that people strive to be average or conform to a norm that portrays everyone as indistinguishable, resembling the image of George Washington. In essence, the quote highlights the diminishing significance of tradition and the societal pressure to conform to a homogenous identity.

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