Among the many students of American history who are offering perspective on this political moment is Colin Woodard, director of Nationhood Lab at Salve Regina University. He has investigated at length “the diverse subcultures that exist within this country based on geography.” And “argues that understanding these distinctions and how they originated might be the first step toward healing the divisions between us.” In a recent interview with Krys Boyd (KERA Think), he responded at length to his earlier statement that in 1776 our newly formed country was “an awkward federation of distinct regional cultures created as an ad hoc to resist a common British opponent.” Different understandings about things as fundamental as freedom, the role of government, who belongs and who doesn’t, have been present throughout our history. Depending on the region we hail from, there remains a wide variance for instance in whether we tend to see through a more individualistic lens or a communitarian one. In spite of our differences Woodard says that the story of the Declaration of Independence has held us together. But that we’ve forgotten how to talk about it, and that’s it’s time to work on this, “our national story.”
And in this regard, I want to point to the recently aired documentary “The American Revolution.” Ken Burns has produced eleven previous documentaries, on topics as varied as Baseball, the Holocaust, and Country Music. As with all his work, this is great storytelling and there is so much to learn. How the decision to declare independence was not come to easily and how hard the war was for a hastily mustered colonial army against the might of the British empire. How difficult it was for representatives to the continental congress to reach agreement, and yet in the end how the creation of this republic represented something brand new in human history. All of it depending on the choices made by human beings like us, and hence by turns both wonderful and imperfect.
The challenge to form a union from a diverse people is before us today as it ever has been. As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday next year what will this be like? Will we celebrate the USA as a beacon of freedom and hope? Will we find our way beyond the scapegoating and incivility we’ve become so accustomed to, to think again of the nation as a whole and consider the common good? Will we be able to tell a national story?
I recall here Jon Meacham’s four prescriptions in Soul of America, particularly his call to “Resist Tribalism.” Pride in one’s heritage, one’s tribe, is great. But let it not become an “ism,” an absolute which makes other people, other stories of lesser worth. Meacham also calls us to “Enter the Arena,” “Respect Facts and Deploy Reason“ and “Keep History in mind.” And to these I would add “Practice Recollection.” Recollection, as in withdrawing from the noise, outer and inner. As in waiting in stillness. As in quiet prayer. Thus, our sight may be healed. Thus, we may be given the grace of self-knowledge and a new wakefulness and willingness.
On November 8 in South Lebanon, Ohio, a group of locals met for a second time to share their views. Begun in 2016, “Braver Angels” fosters conversations across political divides. “The point is not to agree on all issues, but to find common ground, learn to disagree in healthier ways, and to see the people behind the labels.” The topic at this particular meeting was immigration and after hours of sharing the group found unanimity around a long list of values and number of policy positions. One participant said, “I think we all as humans have a lot more in common than I think our media presents.”
Steve Bullington
