Two Americas

There are two Americas, one that tends to be rural, white, working-class males with authoritarian beliefs and a limited understanding of government. This patriarchal America subscribes to a Christian mythology, anti-government conspiracies, pseudo-science, and hyper-patriotism. The other America tends to be younger, urban, coastal, better informed, and secular. In this America they recognize science, government, and business as complimentary pillars of a healthy democracy. They remind us that grappling with diversity, inequality, equity, and inclusion has always been in Americas best interest. Unfortunately, in acknowledging these systemic challenges, they are often perceived as unpatriotic and characterized as Socialists and intellectual elitists stoking hatred.

The year 2021 has been marked by a violent insurrection incited by the former president of the United States and orchestrated by Republican members of congress. An act so deviant that millions of followers have been easily swayed by the appeal of fascism and persuaded to overthrow their own government. However, we must remember this is not a battle between Democrats and Republicans. This is a battle between those who care and those who don’t. This is between an uninformed segment of the population, and those attempting to change the things they cannot accept. Only then can America lead the global battle against the climate crisis, which is already underway, a convoluted and fragmented healthcare system, climate refugees, vaccines, the humanitarian crisis on the Southern border, voter restriction laws, perpetual wars, the proliferation of guns and mass violence in our culture. We must remember that Democracy is more than a form of government; it is a shared experience, with the confidence to acknowledge the transgressions of our past and the determination to imagine itself differently.