In history and American culture studies, the phrase “American Exceptionalism” gets a lot of mileage in conversations.

This is because it describes, in a cognitively dissonant way, a lot of facets of our society. It is in our collective history: groups that came to this land “looking for freedom” to practice a belief, escape from marginalization or secure land for themselves began to look at themselves as “exceptional.”

The Pilgrims and Puritans came to America to practice their religion in “freedom,” discovered their “Exceptionalism,” and began to punish those who wanted the “freedom” to worship in their own way. This was just the first example of marginalization on the part of a group who found Exceptionalism after escaping marginalization in another place.

Marginalization by those who feel exceptional is as American as Apple Pie in the sum of our history. Even the more enlightened — or those who consider themselves enlightened — can be guilty of marginalization. In fact, the quickest phrase out of peoples’ mouths who feel exceptional is, “There ought to be a law.”

Take smoking, for instance. In Ohio, voters passed a law banning smoking in public places. The law is a nightmare to enforce; many public places have returned to smoking. This returns the issue to a matter of personal choice, to patronize or not to patronize a smoking establishment.

In line with that, we have also stuck our noses in the lives of those who want to be committed to each other for life but are not society’s vision of a “married couple.” Most of this comes from those who see themselves as anointed and exceptional. Seeking exceptionalism is an American trait and once it is found, those thus blessed immediately start to convince others to join them.

It can be like religion in our country. We have many convinced they are exceptional, and that it is important others share it. Nothing wrong with that, other than if you don’t share their particular view, you are hellbound for sure.

Being hellbound is something I am familiar with, as many have told me over my life I am destined to go there because I have not signed up for their particular spiritual aerial cruise to Rapturedom. On the other hand, I am not worried about hell, because you have to believe in it and I don’t. If there is a hell, we are living in it, so whatever the next phase is, it has to be better than the present.

I do believe in heaven though, or what I call “Harley Heaven,” where the weather is always great, my bike never runs out of gas or breaks down, there are no speed limits, the roads are long and straight with an occasional chicane of curves to keep it interesting and I don’t have to ever stop to take a leak. In Harley Heaven, everyone is welcome, even those who ride metrics or don’t ride at all, believe or don’t believe, vegan, vegetarian or like their steaks rare and bloody.

After all none of us are exceptional, but should be at peace with our inner selves and not what we are or are not.

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