Last week, I pondered the need to revisit our self-concepts and release what no longer serves or supports us. It’s important to do this on levels beyond the individual too. As I think about what’s facing our nation in the weeks after a definitely divided celebration of its 250th birthday, I realize we will benefit from releasing old understandings here too.
I was raised with the idea that the USA was the greatest nation on earth. I don’t think I’m alone in this—nations around the globe and across time have done this. Statistically speaking, however, in the latter half of the twentieth century, there were legitimate reasons for believing this. Our nation led many international coalitions in doing good work around the world (as well as leading coalitions into wars that were not so good for the world—but that certainly proved our persuasive power and military might). Capitalist statistics showed the country to be thriving economically, and there were plenty of stories to illustrate how you could achieve your dream of success here (as long as you were white).
That belief is in tatters—perhaps as it should be. For one thing, the MAGA idea that we need to “make” this country great “again” implies that it isn’t great now—that something has been lost. The scope of repeated No Kings rallies reveals the deep internal conflicts we face. Our reputation on the world stage has also been shattered. Coalitions are being built without us, even against us. By many statistical standards, quality of life in our nation is declining instead of increasing. Political leaders, instead of uniting us to address our issues, are turning neighbor against neighbor. There is no longer a “united” states as I see it.
So, what are we to do with this? First, I think it’s important to acknowledge the reality rather than clinging to those old, mythical understandings. Our nation no longer leads the world in much—beyond democracy in freefall. That doesn’t mean there isn’t hope. It does mean we can’t sit quietly by and hope things will fix themselves.
We can’t go back to the way things were. Yes, every vote matters. Every rally matters. Every word spoken and action taken in support of our Black and brown and immigrant neighbors matters. More dauntingly, connection, cooperation, and collaboration for the sake of the whole matter.
We can’t presume that our old ways of thinking will work, going forward. Division will not lead our nation to greatness.
What will?
Being the soul to get into the public root by doing the next right thing on a daily basis. This is risking what others may think but it’s time to come out of the fear-closet!
Thank you, Mo. That’s a great image and reminder that sometimes our work is the slow, steady pace of making change. Yes, we must leave fear behind for the sake of the future.
Peace,
Shirin
Let us not drink the Kool Aid that the destruction, the hatred, the lying, the snarling, the preening of evil have eviscerated all our past ideals. Rather, we’ve had a magnificent gift during this moment of reflection on 250 years: a fresh understanding of the text of the Declaration of Independence. May we, like Lincoln as he looked over the devastation of Gettysburg, smelling the stench of death, call for a recommitment to justice, to equality, to the pursuit of goodness for all.
Amen, Tom! I think it might be true to say those ideals have been discarded by too many as no longer workable. Of course, some of them were built on limited and unequal notions of equality and justice—but the ideals themselves do still matter. They can still guide us. Thank you!
Peace,
Shirin
I firmly believe we are way more united in our aspirations and goals for America.
We are being divided by those who benefit from sowing the seeds of division.
The US is a young country (the universities I went to are older than the USA). Some hubris needs to be worked through. That will require some painful humbling. Grab the popcorn and hope that there isn’t too much carnage.
Thank you for this great perspective, Damien. I appreciate you pointing out the hubris element in this relatively young nation. There’s already been too much carnage on/of the innocent…may that stop soon!
Peace,
Shirin