52.3 F
Indianapolis
Friday, March 29, 2024

America is at a crossroads: continue divisive path or heal and move forward

More by this author

I told you so

More than just talk

Truly astronomical

In his book, “We Were Eight Years in Power,” Ta-Nehisi Coates explores a substantial portion of the electoral history of the United States, especially as it regards the enfranchisement of African-Americans during Reconstruction — and our abrupt disenfranchisement following the “Corrupt Bargain” of 1876. (The book’s title is a double entendre, referring both to the eight years of so-called “Reconstruction” following the Civil War as well as to Barack Obama’s two terms as U.S. President.) 

In virtually every election cycle since 2008 (especially in presidential election years), political leaders, cultural critics, public intellectuals and barbershop pundits have admonished that “this election is one of the most important — if not THE most important one — in our lifetimes.” Midterm elections tend to draw a lower percentage of the electorate than the ones that take place in presidential election years — which is already a pretty low bar. (On a related note, I’m hopeful that voting will be mandatory in this country at some point, but I’m not holding my breath.) However, there has already been record early voting in some areas across the country. (Note: I wrote this column before the election results were in; I suspect that a few more records will have fallen by the time this piece is published.)

The above-referenced admonishments have been offered with sincerity — even urgency — in each election cycle. However, something does indeed “feel” different this time. Indeed, it is clearer now than even just two years ago that Americans are literally casting their votes in favor of (or against) the type of nation that we want to be. This is extremely far removed from the myopic confines of traditional party politics; this election is about the heart and soul of our nation. 

As the dust settles over the next few months, our elected officials at all levels will choose between continuing on a path of the most divisive rhetoric (and actions) that we have witnessed in perhaps 50 years. On the federal level, if the Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives, there will likely be increased partisan bickering — as difficult as that is to imagine. Why? There is a near certainty that the House will begin to conduct multiple investigations into the Trump Administration. Additionally, there is the likelihood that they will subpoena the president’s financial records, including his elusive tax returns. The GOP — especially Trump himself — will be in full “war” mode. And let’s not forget that we’re still waiting for the revelations from the Robert Mueller investigation. 

In the end, I am hopeful that we will find leaders inside and outside politics who will be able to drag us (likely kicking and screaming) into a national healing process. Our political divisions are deep. Some recent studies have shown that political party affiliation has become more important than race or religion vis-à-vis whether families will accept a relative’s love interest. (That is truly remarkable given our nation’s history of passing laws against miscegenation.”) And as important as it is for our leaders to step up, it is equally imperative for followers to begin to act as our own leaders. If not, it is not too hyperbolic to suggest that our current reality could lead to consequences that are too awful to dwell on.

 

Larry Smith is managing director of Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence at Indiana University. Contact him at larry@leaf-llc.com.

- Advertisement -
ads:

Upcoming Online Townhalls

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest local news.

Stay connected

1FansLike
1FollowersFollow
1FollowersFollow
1SubscribersSubscribe

Related articles

Popular articles

Español + Translate »
Skip to content