Constitution of United States of America 1789 (rev. 1992)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It took over ten years of research, debate and discussion amongst multiple groups of City Club members before we finally decided to launch Highland Institute for the Advancement of Humanity.

Although at the outset we had no clue what an institute is, let alone how to launch a successful one, we were in fact certain that the task at hand would be arduous, and the road ahead long and difficult.

Born a Jewish kid in a Muslim country ruled by a dictator, I was taught early on to keep my mouth shut or risk getting shot in the head, beaten by a hundred lashes, or have my fingernails pulled. So the most appealing aspect of my American experience has been the 1st Amendment, and the five freedoms it offers a new citizen like me.

After a lot of trial and error to establish the name, agree on a Manifesto, and design the legal and operating structure of the institute, and finally find our voice, however modest -- low and behold! -- the critics were at the ready, their figurative knives out, vandalizing Highland by egging the building, cutting our camera wires, spray painting our signs, and -- oh, the irony! -- calling us Racist because we dared to discuss race, and Sexist because we published comedian Dave Chappelle’s position on gender.

I often say that while we seek unity, the fact of the matter is we live in a world of duality, so this week an editorial in Boulder Weekly accused City Club of being a Racist organization, while another editorial in the Daily Camera praised City Club for striving to become “a beacon of diverse thought and debate.” Go figure!

We knew what we were up against from the inception, so we'll just have to channel Tom Petty and declare that we “Won't Back Down.” In fact, in our current “Cancel Culture,” the need for a Securus Locus like Highland Institute is more clear than ever to enable, say, Councilman Bob Yates to discuss Boulder’s current policy on homelessness, or Congressman Joe Neguse to speak on Climate Change, without bowing down to the risk of protestors threatening the speakers, disrupting events, and, yes, trying to abridge those rights guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.

Even as I recognize every rose comes with thorns, I also remain thankful for the privilege of feeling safe enough to have a voice in America and, by the same token, maintain compassion for our critics. To that point, I recall President Theodore Roosevelt’s description of a critic as I comfort myself in the belief that being the man in the arena, sometimes erring but always trying my very best, is better than being one of those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

— Sina.