The New American Canon

Listening to the Great Courses series on the American Canon, by Professor Arnold Weinstein, I was enthralled to learn about the importance of Huckleberry Finn, which I had loved as an eleven year old, but had missed much of its significance. And other members of what Professor Weinstein called, "The American canon," the bedrock works of American literature by which other contenders should be judged, and which provide a common experience for all American readers, expanding their own experience by depicting experiences of others to which readers may not, in their own lives, have read access.

But, in all humility, I now propose to expand the American canon to include some works of art which I believe could or, perhaps, if you'll indulge me, should be part of our collective experience. The things which help make us all, Black or White or Asian, of whatever ancestry, American.

In no particular order, classic, memorable, indelible scenes from the following members of this exalted pantheon:

Zootopia:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srLZjp5vpc8

Roger Rabbit: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1-cnm6WKUA

And, of course, all 5 seasons of "The Wire" which should be viewed and discussed (not "taught") in every American high school. 

If what makes us Americans is a shared set of stories, music, experiences, no matter how diverse we are, or where we grew up--Seattle, LA, Chicago, Des Moines, Portsmouth NH or VA, Biloxi or Baton Rouge, Billings or Baltimore, we can share this much, the stories, music and rhythm of the American experiment.