Was talking to a young man, whose less than a third my age, the other day and he ask if there had ever been a time that America was more divided than today? At first I was a little taken back by his question. But before I answered I ask if he had studied American history in school and if so, what was covered. After a short exchange I came to realize that for many of our younger generation history is what "happened five minutes ago."
Told him while things may seem bad today there were, from my perspective, three periods in history that America was really divided and the fate of the Republic was at certain risk. First was in the 1860s during the Civil War. There are many perceived reasons for why we had a Civil War. Views today widely differed, and while too many Anerucans suffered or died, the nation survived. I suggested a couple books he should read including a four part series on the Battles and Leaders of the Civil War.
Second, again from my perspective, was the 1930s and the Great Depression. While this was slightly before my time I heard first hand from my parents what they went through, how America struggled, and how divided the country was during this era. These were tough folks but despite great difficulties they and the country survived.
Finally, we talked about the 60s, something I experienced first hand. The nation was probably as divided during this period (at the personal level) as any time in history. And, unfortunately it was brought into every living room, every night, by the national tv news. Anti-war demonstrations, race riots, airplane hijackings, campus violence, bombings across the nation, Vietnam vets treated as criminals, a drug culture, draft card burning, youth escaping to Canada to avoid the draft, nightly body counts from the war and music. And the music! Probably the best music of all time and it still endures today, thankfully. But despite our troubles we survived as a nation. Unfortunately, many scars remain, especially with our Vietnam war vets, for which I am one.
After talking for over an hour the young man thanked me and said he had a greater appreciation of the past and it helped him focus on all the things going on today.
I think it would be wonderful if each of us took a few minutes to focus what we have, what we've endured in our lifetime, and what we can do to ensure the future of our nation.
Regards
Told him while things may seem bad today there were, from my perspective, three periods in history that America was really divided and the fate of the Republic was at certain risk. First was in the 1860s during the Civil War. There are many perceived reasons for why we had a Civil War. Views today widely differed, and while too many Anerucans suffered or died, the nation survived. I suggested a couple books he should read including a four part series on the Battles and Leaders of the Civil War.
Second, again from my perspective, was the 1930s and the Great Depression. While this was slightly before my time I heard first hand from my parents what they went through, how America struggled, and how divided the country was during this era. These were tough folks but despite great difficulties they and the country survived.
Finally, we talked about the 60s, something I experienced first hand. The nation was probably as divided during this period (at the personal level) as any time in history. And, unfortunately it was brought into every living room, every night, by the national tv news. Anti-war demonstrations, race riots, airplane hijackings, campus violence, bombings across the nation, Vietnam vets treated as criminals, a drug culture, draft card burning, youth escaping to Canada to avoid the draft, nightly body counts from the war and music. And the music! Probably the best music of all time and it still endures today, thankfully. But despite our troubles we survived as a nation. Unfortunately, many scars remain, especially with our Vietnam war vets, for which I am one.
After talking for over an hour the young man thanked me and said he had a greater appreciation of the past and it helped him focus on all the things going on today.
I think it would be wonderful if each of us took a few minutes to focus what we have, what we've endured in our lifetime, and what we can do to ensure the future of our nation.
Regards