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September 11th, 2001 rendered America a nation changed. What was once considered the safest country in the world fell victim to a terrorist attack that killed nearly 3,000 people in a major city. But Americans did the opposite of cower. Immediately after the attacks, President Bush asserted: “America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.” Military recruitment skyrocketed. Citizens rushed to donate blood and opened their homes to strangers affected by the shut down of air travel. Americans of all political orientation, race, and gender flew American flags. The message was clear: America was a united front that would not cower to radicals seeking to eradicate the way of life that we have held dear since this nation’s formation.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, this response seems almost alien. American flags are being burnt and stomped on. People continually choose instant gratification over self-improvement. Some will even end friendships or disown family members for voting the wrong way. America is losing itself as a nation–we are becoming fearful, listless, and divided. At the end of a day, a nation is only as strong as its citizenry. Americans returning to the values of courage, discipline, and unity is vital for the future of our country.
From John Wayne to the twelve Green Berets riding into Afghanistan on horses to Harriet Tubman risking her life time and time again on the Underground Railroad, courage is synonymous with the American way. America is a nation built on the bravery of ordinary people rising to the occasion and doing extraordinary things. This August, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was brutally stabbed to death while riding the train home from work. Those sitting next to her did nothing. As a young woman, this notion is terrifying to me. However, it leads to a broader question: what type of message is America sending to our adversaries if grown men are afraid to intervene and keep a woman who fled a war-torn country to America, a place that is supposed to be a beacon of safety, from getting murdered in cold blood?
It is up to us to counter this normalization of complacency. First, begin with the small things. As the old platitude goes, do something that scares you a little every day. Ask out the pretty girl (or guy). Apply for the job that you think is out of your reach. Commit to something daunting, whether that is learning a new language or training for a marathon. Tackling intimidating tasks every day will build up your confidence and ability to stay courageous during life’s darkest hours.
John F. Kennedy once said, “If the self-discipline of the free cannot match the iron discipline of the mailed fist, in economic, political, scientific, and all the other kinds of struggles, as well as the military, then the peril to freedom will continue to rise.” America is at the forefront of innovation. Whatever you want, you can have quickly, conveniently, and sometimes even without you having to leave the comfort of your own home.
However, easy does not always mean good, and the consequences of the individual consistently choosing instant comfort over long-term payoff affect not just the individual, but society itself. Only 28% of Americans are meeting the CDC’s guidelines for regular exercise. McDonald’s has become mentally associated with our country. One in five Americans has chatted with an AI bot in lieu of a romantic partner. The result? A society that is growing unhealthier, more selfish, and unable to pair bond. As Mr. Kennedy said, Americans have the freedom to impose standards on ourselves. It is our moral imperative to ourselves and our fellow citizens to wake up every day and choose discipline. Choose to move your body every single day. Choose to prepare nutrient-dense meals from home instead of becoming a repeat customer of the drive-through. Choose to pursue meaningful relationships with those that will both nurture you and hold you to the utmost standard. You owe it to your fellow Americans to operate at your highest caliber.
During the 2008 election, the late Senator John McCain went head to head with Barack Obama to become president. At a McCain rally, a woman accused Obama of being an Arab, rather than a natural born American. With this election at the height of the war on terror, many attempted to insinuate that Obama was not just not a natural born American, but had terrorist sympathies. Taking the microphone back, McCain responded, “No ma’am…he’s a decent family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign is all about.” McCain could have benefitted from playing into these allegations, but he swiftly shut this woman down. Though I was a child during this particular election, I remember neighbors with differing political signs on their lawns having each other over for barbecues and setting up carpool schedules. Even those vehemently against American troops being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan stood for the pledge. There was a societal expectation of respect and decorum, regardless of politics. This was a time when we recognized that Americans wanted the same thing: what is best for ourselves, our family, and our country. We simply disagreed on how to achieve that.
Less than two months ago, some Americans made a mockery of a man dying in front of his young children because he had the audacity to speak words they deemed unacceptable. Recently, our press secretary responded with “your mom” to a journalist asking about the significance of Trump meeting with Putin in Budapest. It appears that America is more divided than ever, and our adversaries love to see it. In Summer 2020, China used footage of Black Lives Matter riots to demonstrate to their citizenry that America is falling apart from the inside. Russian agitators weaponize social media to continually pit Americans against each other. We as individual citizens are allowing identity politics–whether that be race, gender, political party, sexual orientation, or religion to distract us from our shared identity and the greatest one of all: American.
America’s enemies no longer need to invade: they only need to watch us forget who we are. But our story isn’t over. The courage that stormed Normandy, the discipline that built Apollo, and the unity that rebuilt Ground Zero still live in us. The question is whether we will summon them again. The real battle for America’s soul begins when we stop pointing fingers and start holding ourselves accountable.
