In the era of Donald Trump, it's easy to become cynical about core American institutions— a temptation we must avoid. However frustrating and disheartening the current state of American politics is, we should remember that American institutions and rule of law have been bought with the willing blood of our fellow citizens, and have served us well for many years. As I have personally struggled with my feelings about our country over the past several months, I have ultimately concluded that we are more than our leaders at any one given time.
Several years ago, some friends and I were on our way back to our apartment from a restaurant. While we were waiting at a red light, there was an accident in the intersection in front of us. One car had tried— unsuccessfully— to run the red light. We pulled over and called 911. Several occupants of the car that had tried to run the red light got out, unharmed. The single occupant of the car that had been hit, however, couldn't open her door and was massaging her neck. She seemed dazed and confused. Within several minutes the police arrived and began directing traffic around the accident. After a few more minutes, both the fire department and an ambulance arrived. The fire department was able to help the woman in the car that had been hit get out of her vehicle. She was put on the ambulance and taken to the hospital. The police handed out several forms to the front occupants of our car (and a car on the other side of the intersection that had also stayed) to fill out statements with our contact information should it become necessary. By the time we left— about thirty minutes after the accident— the intersection was moving again, the injured party was on her way to receive medical care, and several statements had been taken to be used in court, should it become necessary.
Think, for a moment, about how efficiently this accident was handled. Imagine how differently it might have been handled in a country where the rule of law was questioned, or where citizens couldn't trust public servants.
I love this country!
There is a growing movement, particularly among my generation, that argues "national identity is overrated." On some level, I do understand the appeal of this point of view. In this history of our species, many men and woman have died to protect national identity, and, in some cases, national vanity.
However, this isn't a view I share. Without fully evaluating the merits of the this argument, I am concerned that it reflects, on some level, a lack of appreciation for what it has cost to set up this country. Of course the United States isn't perfect. Of course we aren't the best at everything. Of course there are, in many cases, things we should learn from the countries around us.
However, we can acknowledge these truths without slipping into extreme cynicism about our country. With the election of President Donald Trump (and his subsequent actions in office), I have personally struggled with this.
Still, something about this feels different. For one thing, we've always tried to do what was right, and we've fessed up when we've made mistakes. But the election of Donald Trump as president has challenged that precedent. Not only is there an unwillingness on our government's part to acknowledge mistakes since he took office, but his election almost feels like the willing embrace of the worst parts of ourselves. Is this, as a country, who we really are?
I've always been an optimist about America. Call me naive, but I fully believe that— with the exception of Donald Trump— almost every American politician from either party, including Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and Harry Reid, wake up and go to bed at night thinking about what is best for the American people. Of course we disagree on the best course of action. But until our election of Donald Trump, we've always agreed on the important things.
After considerable thought, I've ultimately concluded this: We, as a country, are more than our political leaders at any one given moment. We're more than Donald Trump. The institutions of this country have served us, and the world, well. We will endure this president. Whatever fraction of a man might occupy the White House now, I am, and will always be, proud to be a citizen of this country.
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| Raleigh National Cemetery, 29 May 2017 |
Several years ago, some friends and I were on our way back to our apartment from a restaurant. While we were waiting at a red light, there was an accident in the intersection in front of us. One car had tried— unsuccessfully— to run the red light. We pulled over and called 911. Several occupants of the car that had tried to run the red light got out, unharmed. The single occupant of the car that had been hit, however, couldn't open her door and was massaging her neck. She seemed dazed and confused. Within several minutes the police arrived and began directing traffic around the accident. After a few more minutes, both the fire department and an ambulance arrived. The fire department was able to help the woman in the car that had been hit get out of her vehicle. She was put on the ambulance and taken to the hospital. The police handed out several forms to the front occupants of our car (and a car on the other side of the intersection that had also stayed) to fill out statements with our contact information should it become necessary. By the time we left— about thirty minutes after the accident— the intersection was moving again, the injured party was on her way to receive medical care, and several statements had been taken to be used in court, should it become necessary.
Think, for a moment, about how efficiently this accident was handled. Imagine how differently it might have been handled in a country where the rule of law was questioned, or where citizens couldn't trust public servants.
I love this country!
There is a growing movement, particularly among my generation, that argues "national identity is overrated." On some level, I do understand the appeal of this point of view. In this history of our species, many men and woman have died to protect national identity, and, in some cases, national vanity.
However, this isn't a view I share. Without fully evaluating the merits of the this argument, I am concerned that it reflects, on some level, a lack of appreciation for what it has cost to set up this country. Of course the United States isn't perfect. Of course we aren't the best at everything. Of course there are, in many cases, things we should learn from the countries around us.
However, we can acknowledge these truths without slipping into extreme cynicism about our country. With the election of President Donald Trump (and his subsequent actions in office), I have personally struggled with this.
For example, this week, President Trump tweeted several insults at journalists that were well below the dignity of his office:
I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came..— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017
...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2017
When I first saw these statements by the President of the United States, I felt something I've almost never felt when I've thought about our country: shame. We have, as a country, of course made much more serious mistakes. Last year, for example, we mistakenly bombed a Doctors Without Borders hospital.
Still, something about this feels different. For one thing, we've always tried to do what was right, and we've fessed up when we've made mistakes. But the election of Donald Trump as president has challenged that precedent. Not only is there an unwillingness on our government's part to acknowledge mistakes since he took office, but his election almost feels like the willing embrace of the worst parts of ourselves. Is this, as a country, who we really are?
I've always been an optimist about America. Call me naive, but I fully believe that— with the exception of Donald Trump— almost every American politician from either party, including Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and Harry Reid, wake up and go to bed at night thinking about what is best for the American people. Of course we disagree on the best course of action. But until our election of Donald Trump, we've always agreed on the important things.
After considerable thought, I've ultimately concluded this: We, as a country, are more than our political leaders at any one given moment. We're more than Donald Trump. The institutions of this country have served us, and the world, well. We will endure this president. Whatever fraction of a man might occupy the White House now, I am, and will always be, proud to be a citizen of this country.
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