As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Ulysses Dietz, the youngest great-great-grandchild of President Ulysses S. Grant, suggests the former president would be proud of the nation's evolution into a pluralistic and ethnically diverse society. Grant, who served as president from 1869 to 1877 and championed civil rights during the Reconstruction era, would likely view the country's current diversity and opportunities with approval.
"I think he would see a country that was pluralistic and ethnically diverse and religiously diverse, where people have opportunity and everybody can go to college, anybody can be president," Dietz told The Post. "I think he would be very proud of that."
Dietz, a retired decorative arts curator, noted that Grant, who supported the 15th Amendment granting Black men the right to vote and prosecuted the Ku Klux Klan, would be both "thrilled" and "surprised" by the progress made in pluralism and diversity.
However, Dietz also believes his ancestor would recognize ongoing struggles. "I think he would also see a lot of bad things that were also bad when he was president and be disappointed that we haven’t overcome that," he added.
Dietz's own connection to his famous ancestor has deepened over time. While his upbringing did not heavily emphasize his lineage, a pivotal moment occurred in 1987 when he was invited to speak at the General Grant National Memorial, also known as Grant's Tomb. This event prompted him to research his family history, and he has since delivered speeches there annually on Grant's birthday.
Reflecting on the nation's history, Dietz expressed admiration for the Founding Fathers' vision, particularly the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He finds it remarkable that these documents, created by a group of predominantly white, landowning men, many of whom were slaveholders, have endured and remain relevant.
"It’s sort of remarkable looking back that this group of elite, white landowners, many of whom were slaveowners, put together this document that withstood the test of time and then followed it up with the Constitution that has also withstood the test of time," Dietz said. "I think it’s remarkable that these men, without understanding where the country would go, came up with ideas that were every bit as important and relevant now as they were 250 years ago."
He concluded that honoring the commitment to "freedom, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — and still improving on it — is something we should be very proud of."