Who Are We Now?

Identity matters most. Nothing is anything without identity.

Studying 20th century German history in college was a study, essentially, of the identity of the Germans and of the 20th century. As in 1909, when America was transitioning into its role of a great power, a new identity was unfolding. Almost like clockwork, we find ourselves in a similar transition a century later- a new president, a new war, a new media, and new questions. But the oldest question still remains: Who are we?

The death of Walter Cronkite inspires this post. Today's media is overwhelmingly flooded by commentators and lacks unbiased, objective reporters. The platform for voicing opinions has become larger than the platform for voicing facts and there is no explanation of how it has happened. But America is listening, responding, and interacting. We are taking our rights more literally than ever while still passing judgment based on our old, subdued versions. America is a nation that belongs to the majority, comprised of individuals either trying to obtain or maintain the majority. America's values are splashed all across media outlets, substituting personal decision with majority ideas and challenging individuals to disagree for the sake of argument. Patriotism feels like forced obedience and asking questions that challenge any foundation is frowned upon. It's not a matter of left or right or liberal or conservative or any other majority-holding category we have recently created and shuffled ourselves into. It's about who we are and the core of our identity- as persons, as a nation, and as a deeply influencial world power. In the end, it's all the same.

This is not an argument against change. These same elements- majorities, rights, values- have short lifespans in their definitions. But when you fail to reflect on change, when you forget where you come from, when you can no longer define your progress, then you wonder about the nature of change and your influence on it. That's what this is.

We landed on the moon. We put human rights above human appearance. We have created an unprecedented kind of culture and civilization. We took photos of deep space. We doubled our life expectancy. We established schools of higher education. We kept all of the 20th century's major wars off of American soil. We realized ideas once thought technologically impossible. We defied physics. We matter.

Reflect. Who are we now?

Are you happy?