I don't recall where I have heard it so much lately (perhaps PBS, but more likely "Hamilton"), but the term "The American Experiment" has been floating around in my head lately. Spoiler Alert:The American experiment has failed. Not because of Trump, although it's certainly been accentuated by his time in office. The racism, political polarization, commercialism, class separation, and more. It goes way back in our history. We, collectively, through complacency, ignorance and greed, fucked this experiment up. Royally. I was raised to pledge allegiance daily, and to believe that we're "the greatest country" in the world. That feels like brainwashing in hindsight. And as I look around today, behind us and ahead too, I am wholly disheartened. I suspect there are many other countries and places I could have lived my life in a far more satisfying manner, amongst a populace significantly less inclined to act viciously towards another human being, as we have proven ourselves capable of doing again and again. I want to have faith that we as a global society might get our collective shit together and stop screwing things up for others in order to better our own circumstances. But I fear something so forward thinking would be met with strong and violent opposition by those who see it as a backward step into an abyss. I hope all of our kids have a future filled with more familial recognition across humanity.
