By Jaden Cloobeck, J.D. ’26, Law
I am an obelisk in the city of American memory
Reaching my height at 36 years old
Witnessing 183 years of history
In a nation almost 250 years old
Change is a constant theme
I have seen many things
Presidential inaugurations, parades and protests
Civil war and civil unrest
My city of memory has gained companions: Lincoln, Roosevelt and King
Our landscape has changed
Railroads and canals dismantled
Monuments and museums established
Change goes beyond the physical
I am a spire that inspires
Imploring people to aim higher
In the face of hardship, I symbolize resilience
The past in conversation with the future
To the west
Across the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial
I heard songs and sermons that reflected the aspirations of a pluralistic society
To the east
I admired the museums and temporary monuments unveiled on the National Mall
To remember our histories and those we’ve lost
There will be many more moments I will witness
Despite fear that the Republic’s foundation is cracking
I stand strong
On a foundation of 16,000 square feet
Whenever you feel lost, gaze at me
I stand tall as our symbol
A legacy of resilience
Reaching for the sky
About the Author
Jaden Cloobeck is a law student at GW. He was a research associate at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream from 2022-2023 and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in political science. One of his favorite undergraduate classes examined U.S. monuments, during which Jaden researched Philadelphia’s Monument to the Six Million Jewish Martyrs. He has volunteered at the DC History Center and currently lives in the District.