Is it a verb or a nun? Or do we need both?
I personally think we need both. That’s what Civics used to mean to Americans. But, we’ve changed- and not for the better.
We are no longer as patriotic, no longer have faith in the Supreme Being.
These are not my suppositions, but the results from a National Opinion Research Foundation (U Chicago) – Wall Street Journal survey.
How different? In 1998, we were driven by patriotic beliefs to the tune of 70%, now down to 39%; 62% considered religion a strong value, now down to 39%, also,
But that ain’t all. We n longer value having children (down from 60% to 25%), overvalue money from 31% up to 43%, but most of all relevant to democracy, community involvement has dipped to 23% from 45%. Topping that change in sentiment off, we no longer are tolerant of others (from 80% to 58%). Younger people manifested a larger change in these internal values.
Our political affiliations also manifested vastly different values. Only 21% of us have an affiliation with American Exceptionalism (that we a=stand above others around the world).
Republicans believe that we have gone to far promoting civil rights and ethnic diversity- where only 7% of Democrats so consider. Transgender? ¾ of the GOP think we went overboard; contrast that with 56%of the Democrats who doubt we did enough. GOP adherents are against business taking political stands (80%) while Democrats (56%) are thrilled at the practice.
So our verb and noun have a lot of work to get done to reunite our nation.
Hopefully, books like those written by Richard Haass will be read and become part of our core beliefs, sooner than later.
I read about this poll yesterday in the WSJ. Some of these results may be from people facing reality (American exceptionalism, some feel, died on January 6, 2021) but many other findings are quite disturbing. I think people are giving up on our country and not seeing much hope in caring for society or even their peers. Can I blame them from the example we adults have set for them? An entire generation has grown up experiencing school lockdowns and active shooter drills, if not actual active shooter events. (That would include my community, on April 3, 2009.) And we, the adults, seem powerless to stop it. Adults, however, seem quite able to be intolerant and set examples of hate. Our children have learned well.
Great addition to the conversation. Thanks for sharing those vital points.