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It has now been over a month since a tragic incident on a college campus deeply unsettled our nation and since we marked the anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks. Both moments, though separated by decades and circumstance, have given us reason to reflect — not just on loss, but on what truly holds us together as Fort Worthians and Americans.
As I think back on Sept. 11, I remember a time when my wife, Joanna, and I were living in Washington, D.C. The morning was crisp; the confusion and fear were fresh and profound. Yet more than anything, I recall the incredible sense of unity that rose from the ashes of tragedy. Neighbors hung American flags, strangers offered comfort, and our city—and nation—stood together in the face of grief. The feeling was not just about shared loss, but a powerful reminder of what it means to be American.
Michael D. Crain
Today, it too often feels as though we are drifting away from that spirit. National headlines talk of the government shutdowns and gridlock. In Texas, our debates — over property taxes, education, and border security — sometimes become more heated than helpful. Even here in Fort Worth, crucial conversations about public safety, economic growth, and our future sometimes echo with polarization rather than possibility.
But I believe we are more than the sum of our disagreements. Texans are known for our toughness, our neighborly spirit and our pride in who we are. Fort Worthians have always met adversity head-on, with courage and with grace. History shows we rise to the occasion — not because we ignore differences, but because we recognize that what unites us is far greater.
Our calling now is to rediscover that unity. We must honor the freedoms and values that bind us together — not only by protecting the right to disagree, but by practicing the lost art of working side by side, regardless of those disagreements. Real leadership, whether in Congress or on a city council, is found not in fanning the flames of outrage, but in building bridges and finding common ground.
It shouldn’t take tragedy to remind us of our shared greatness as a city. Let’s choose to be people who put community before party, progress before partisanship and hope above all. Let’s make Fort Worth a model—not just of economic strength or innovation, but of resilience, civility and the American spirit.
Civility matters. As long as I have the privilege to serve as your elected official — and even after I return to private life — this is my pledge to you: I will lead with respect, work toward unity, and always put the best interests of our city and its people first.
Together, as Americans, Texans, and Fort Worthians, we can show that unity is not a distant ideal, but a promise we can still fulfill—one conversation, one compromise and one act of goodwill at a time. The time for words alone has passed. Now let's roll up our sleeves and get to work — because Fort Worth deserves nothing less than our very best.
Michael D. Crain is a member of the Fort Worth City Council. He represents District 3.
