How Abraham Lincoln Would Unite Today’s Polarized America | Frank Williams | TEDxProvidence
In a time of deep national division, former Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams invites us to explore how Abraham Lincoln’s timeless leadership can inspire unity in today’s polarized America. Drawing from Lincoln’s perseverance, pragmatism, and profound moral clarity, Justice Williams reflects on how the 16th president guided a fractured nation through its darkest hour—and how, by pursuing civil peace grounded in empathy, sacrifice, and unwavering purpose, we too can remain ONE nation. As we face modern divides over issues like immigration, voting rights, and economic inequality, Justice Williams challenges us to rediscover Lincoln’s call to our better angels—to embrace civility, find common ground, and reunite a nation strong enough to last 10,000 years. Frank J. Williams is the former Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He was appointed by Governor Lincoln Almond and unanimously confirmed by the state legislature in January 2001, after serving for five years as
Associate Justice of the Superior Court.On December 30, 2003, the President of the United States, through the Secretary of Defense, invited Chief Justice Williams to be a member of the then Military Commissions Review Panel for tribunals to be held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with the rank of Major General. The Military Commissions Act of 2006 created the Court of Military Commission Review on which Williams serves as Chief Judge.Chief Justice Williams is also one of the nation’s leading authorities on the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, and one of the country’s most renowned Lincoln collectors, having amassed an unsurpassed private library and archive that ranks among the nation’s largest and finest. In addition, for more than twenty years he has been widely acknowledged as the foremost leader of America’s Lincoln fraternity – the large, nationwide community of Lincoln historians, students, and enthusiasts. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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