The 2000 presidential election was one of the closest in American history, with Al Gore receiving more popular votes than George Bush but still losing the election. The recent election again showcased the country's distinct difference of opinion. The country has rarely been divided to as sharp a degree as it is now. Americans openly show their disdain for fellow countrymen (and women) who support the opposing candidate. What has caused this opposition to become so inflamed? It is both sides' perception that the other side's morals and values contradict their own so greatly that they threaten their ability to hold them.
Of course, America is no stranger to differences of opinion. So when considering the question of why this difference of opinion seems to be so vast today, it is helpful to remember that America was founded by very idealistic, very morally driven people. Their attitude has been inscribed into the American spirit. The problem is that holding such intense beliefs is conversely proportional to having less tolerance for others' beliefs. There is fear that different people living according to different beliefs will at some point infringe upon one's own way of living. This leads to even more passion and even less tolerance.
There is a difference between morals and values. Morals are things like not harming others, talking behind another's back, lying, cheating or stealing. Values are ideas like tolerance, love, freedom, liberty and equality. One reason people cannot agree is due to how strongly they believe in these values.
In the past, Americans have been able to tolerate each other's morals while still getting along. While there have been a few notable exceptions, including the Civil War, the Red Scare and the Civil Rights movement, the core values written into the Constitution have consistently prevailed.
When this country started out, in many states only white, land-owning men had the right to vote. This was the case despite the fact that our Founding Fathers said they held the view that all men were created equal. Maybe America wasn't ready for true equality then, but, over time, America's values have triumphed over the citizen's fears of them. First, Puritans won freedom from religious persecution. Then, the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves. In 1920, women finally won the right to vote. In the 1960s blacks fought for and won civil rights protections. The latest battle is for gay Americans and sexual liberty. Unfortunately, that fight has not been won yet.
Americans are an amazing people. We have always overcome adversity. We have always won the battles we should have won. This is why I am not afraid for our future. Our Founding Fathers laid out truly wonderful, progressive, liberal values. We live in an exceptional age; we have the knowledge, the science and the techniques to analyze and decipher our world in a way that no other generation or civilization has ever had. And, most importantly, we have these values to guide us.
Yes, I am outraged, hurt, discouraged, jaded and just a bit self-righteous after the last election. I am upset we are not farther along than we are, but I am also hopeful. I am confident in this country's amazing ability to overcome tyranny and oppression and replace it with equality, tolerance and freedom.
