The question that stuck with me from our class on Friday was: Are we a hopeful nation? I think there is no easy or clear answer to this question. In the wake of erratic politics, growing presence of violence, from terrorist attacks to shootings, to sexual harassment, and the looming threat of climate change, its easy to see how people could feel hopeless. The narrative in the news is often that of doom, gloom, disaster, and tragedy. Despite this, I would argue that America remains a hopeful nation. The functioning of democracy requires hope. People need to feel as though change can be made, and as if their vote counts. People must feel that it is worth the effort to participate in the democracy, and this requires hope.
Despite all of the negativity seen in the news and in the world, American’s are coming out in spades to take action for things they believe in and protest things they want to see changed. From social media to large scale national protests, Americans are taking action because they are hopeful that things can change. Participating in these actions demonstrates the hope that our nation harbors, because a large component of hope is doing something regardless of the outcome or difference that it makes. It is participating in these actions with only the mere hope of change, not the assurance of it. As the narratives of our world seem to grow darker and more discouraging, people seem to be demonstrating the hope they have for our nation and our world. Not only are people harboring hope, but change is being made, and that change generates new hope in bigger change. Hope and change are building on each other, and propelling people, actions, and governments.
