Just Who the Hell Do We Think We Are?

The Trump presidency has tested Americans' patience —all Americans' patience. And, many of us struggle to understand who we are in light of the anger and vitriol.

We speak of "American Exceptionalism:" the notion that above all other countries, we are the greatest. But, if the last three years are any indication, we're no better than any other. We're just as prone to populism —allowing demagogues to govern because many fear social change. We're not the happiest country in the world, nor are we the wealthiest. And, most importantly, the United States is ranked just 58th when it comes to our political freedom and civil rights.

So, why do we think we're so special?

According to Wikipedia, American Exceptionalism encompasses three ideas. First, the history of the United States is inherently different from those of other nations. Second, our country has a unique mission to transform the world. And, third, America's history and mission make America superior to other countries. But, in the late 20th and early 21st century, is that still true? According to Foreign Policy, our exceptionalism is based on a series of myths. In fact, many wonder: just who the hell do we think we are?

Thirty years after the fall of Communism, our foreign policy still is governed by mid 20th century reality: contain Communism (and after 9/11, eradicate terrorism) by both fighting everlasting wars and trying to export our notion of democracy to these troubled areas. Covert excursions overseas, new technologies used to spy on our adversaries as well as our citizens, and the advent of social media which allows unfiltered (and suspect) "facts" as propaganda to affect our elections, have led to a major distrust of our government. It doesn't help that we have an administration that revels in distraction and fake news while denouncing its opponents for the very same thing. What's so exceptional about that?

How do we get out of this downward spiral? First, put an end to outdated notions of American exceptionalism. It's divided our citizens and its hubris is no longer sustainable. "America: love it or leave it" is as dangerous to our future as religious and racial intolerance. Our changing demographics are a reality no culture war will solve. The fissures unearthed by the Trump presidency demand a full assessment of our violent past, not just an acknowledgment, but an investigation of how that past affects us today. Unless capitalism, the economic foundation of this country, evolves from a system that primarily rewards investors to one that also cares about its workers, income inequality will only grow. Access to proper health care should be a right for everyone, however we do it. If nothing else, it makes economic sense. If people are healthier, costs will go down. Education should become valued; scientific facts should take precedence over opinion. Finally, reduce the power of money to affect policy. There's no room for partisanship here.

More difficult, be equally important, we must be willing to address the inequities of our sacred Constitution. There are many issues our 18th century Founders could not have anticipated. As outlined in the Harvard Law Review's recent piece, "Pack the Union: A Proposal to Admit New States for the Purpose of Amending the Constitution to Ensure Equal Representation," they no longer (and in some cases never did) represent our lives.

It's time we acknowledge the latest world order by adapting to it, not forcing it to adapt to us (China's economic and military accendence, Russia's imperialism, and how technology is changing the very nature of warfare). Climate change is an international crisis. We can't participate fully in alleviating this issue if we denounce intelligent discourse. American exceptionalism has produced a philosophical and geopolitical hubris. Yes, in the 19th and 20th centuries, we did transform the world. But, that's over. The world has changed. And, we must change with it.

Most importantly, this isn't for our leaders to decide; this is for the American people to decide. With our votes, our lobbying, and our voices, we should remind our politicians who they were elected to represent, what we expect of them, and what we want America to be. To be truly exceptional, we must be willing to confront the problems inherent in the very foundations of this country: our economic, social, and political systems.

A government of the people, by the people, for the people.

See the rest of the posters from the Chamomile Tea Party! Digital high res downloads are free here (click the down arrow on the lower right side of the image). Other options are available. And join our Facebook group.

Follow the history of our country's political intransigence from 2010-2018 through a six-part exhibit of these posters on Google Arts & Culture.

Some rights reserved

Taken on: January 9, 2020

Tags:

United States

America

War

Remix

Poster

Politics « less

Sets appears in: • View All Chamomile Tea Party Posters • Immigration, Obstruction, Redaction, Oh My! more » • Chamomile Tea Party Posters - All « less

Groups appears in: • Washington DC/Metro Area • Boing Boing more » • Graphic Design • Posters U Make • Protests and Demonstrations • Posters • Protests, Political Art, Democracy, Social Change • Propaganda Worldwide • DCist Photos • The written word • AntiWar: Pictures that Protest the Madness. • yellow | orange | red • Altered things • WRITTEN words like pictures like pictures like word • J.G. Ballard • Progressive Photojournalism • Art posters • Re-composition • 3000 Views • demo, demonstration, protest • Politics on FLICKR with Free Speech • Social Constructs & Contrasts • Views 6000 • POSTER DESIGN • minimum 5000 views • Images and Words • 'Views: 2000 - 2500 • 'Views: 2500 - 3000 • 'Views: 3000 - 4000 • WORDS & PICTURES • What´s wrong with the right?! • Art & Politics • Social and Political Collages, Montages, Cartoons & Installation • Political Posters and Advertising • Retro Graphic Design - RGD • ***Flickr Global • WASHINGTON, DC • Photos that should be exhibited in Tate Modern • Anti Tea Party, Anti Republican, & Anti Fox News League • 5,000 Views Unlimited 5000 • 3,000 Views Unlimited 3000 • 6,000 Views Unlimited 6000 • 5.000 / 5000 views at least (NO LIMITS, NO 30/60) • Things That Matter • Marches & Protests: progressive photos & art (no 30/60) « less

Stats: 7,052 views / 1 comment