Searching for Unifying Forces in the United States of America
National unity is a goal that most governments strive to achieve. As the adage states, unity is a strength. This is what a country needs in order to be and remain strong. At the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Benjamin Franklin expressed this point of view in front of the Continental Congress. A renowned statesman in the history of the United States of America, Franklin remarked that “We must. Indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately” (USHistory.org 1). This means that disunity is costly. However, the United States is such a diverse society that achieving unity has become undeniably difficult. Today, everything seems to divide Americans- from party politics to socioeconomic issues. Culturally, Americans are more divided than ever before. Indeed, the concept of a “Boiling Pot” has morphed into a “Salad Bowl” whereby various xenophobia and anti-multiculturalism characterize national debate.
If culture, political and social goals do not unite Americans, what else would unite them? The Presidency is now lesser a unifying factor simply because of party politics and claims of election malpractice and interference. Even McChrystal and O’Hanlon’s proposal for national service cannot be an effective unifying factor. Perhaps the only unifying factor at work today is sports. Time and again Americans have formed a united front in showing undying support for individual athletes and national teams during sporting events, locally and internationally. Talented athletes come from all walks of life and have enjoyed the support of almost every American regardless of race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. Therefore, all hope is not lost as a sport offers some comfort as the only unifying factor in the United States of America. As a nation that boasts of success in many respects, Americans need to create more unifying forces in order to thrive more.
Works Cited
McChrystal Stanley and O’Hanlon, Michael. “How a focus on national service can unify our divided country.” 2019, March 5. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2019/03/05/how-a-focus-on-national-service-can-unify-our-divided-country/
USHistory.org.”Franklin’s Contributions to the American Revolution as a Diplomat in France.” (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/franklin.html