This is the first time since I first started writing this blog that I have written two posts in the same week. I suspect that this is feeble attempt to bring some relief to the continued, chaotic firing of neurons in my head. Like many, but not all Americans, I was both horrified and disgusted as an extremist cult, emboldened and encouraged by our president, his immediate family, and many Republican leaders, tried to overthrow the legally elected government.
The feeling of watching the heinous scene unfold on live television felt eerily familiar. It was that same extended gasp for air that follows a punch to the stomach. All function is interrupted until your jump-started respiratory system can restore life-sustaining oxygen to its starved cells. It seemed like an eternity before the invading force of pitiful characters were removed from the heart of our democracy. After some reflection, I now realize that this is the same exact reaction that I had just a few months ago while watching the rioting and looting that followed the George Floyd killing. Déjà vu all over again.
I have tried to reconcile why I have had the identical reaction to both of these equally disturbing events. Why did I feel such deep-seated embarrassment and of all things, guilt? At first I did not think that I had anything in common with either group of perpetrators. I despise looters, anarchists, anti-Semites, racists and conspiracy theorists. Then I realized that I did have one thing in common with all of them. We are all Americans.
Please understand that I am not anti-American. I am extremely proud that our “Greatest Generation” led the victory against fascism and imperialism. What may be more important, is how we treated the nations we defeated. Although we held their leaders accountable, we did not punish their citizens. We actually rebuilt their nations at our expense. I am proud that we continue in our efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. I am also proud that we continue to hold terrorists accountable for their inhuman actions. And yes, I may even chant “USA!, USA!, USA!” when an American team defies all odds to defeat a villainous team during the Olympics. Unfortunately, the actions of many of my countrymen in the last several years have caused me to lose faith in my fellow citizens.
My wife and I are very fortunate to have raised a child of whom we are very proud. There were many occasions when people who knew him would approach us and say “You have a wonderful son”. We would graciously accept their compliment but would reply “he is a work in progress”. There were a few rare occasions where we would have to, well, “administer parental adjustment”. He, like all of us, are human and subject to occasional disappointment.
The reality is that this is a nation “in progress”. It is a continuing process to form a more perfect union. It began in 1776 and continues to this day. We have every right to be embarrassed and disappointed in our fellow citizens. Believe me, we are better than this. This is not the country envisioned by Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR or Kennedy. I hate to say it, but this is probably not the last time we will disappoint ourselves. However, I am hopeful that the next “Greatest Generation” will not be the one fighting to free our own country of fascism. They will be the ones finally delivering equality, peace and acceptance.
