During times of great anxiety or upheaval, nations generally takes one of two routes. Sometimes countries succumb to their worst fears and embrace radical measures and extremist forms of government, and sometimes they find the strength inside to meet the great challenges they face.
For example, Russia’s economic devastation during World War I and Germany’s humiliation after experiencing defeat in that war led to communist and fascist governments in those countries, respectively. During the 20th Century the United States also experienced periods of great upheaval, but, with few notable exceptions, it acted with restraint. The Great Depression brought about the worst in Americans’ anti-Semitism. Even the great Henry Ford blamed the economic distress on the “International Jew.” However, such feelings never dominated the national psyche. With the leadership of FDR, Americans ended the Great Depression through national public works projects, building roads and increasing electricity output.
These efforts laid the groundwork for the national infrastructure that prepared the U.S. for decades of prosperity. Similarly, the fear of the Soviet Union during the Cold War produced McCarthy-ism, but Americans once again refused to be paralyzed by this fear. Instead, American ingenuity and grit combined with the leadership of great presidents like Eisenhower and Kennedy led to greater industrial output and enormous scientific discoveries.
At times of great anxiety Americans have often flirted with extremism, but unlike many other countries, American optimism and hope have almost always defeated extremist forces.
Today we are faced with a confluence of national and international problems that we have not experienced since the Great Depression. We are suffering from a fragile economy and weak credit markets, are involved in two wars, remain $10 trillion in debt and we must find a solution to global warming as soon as possible.
Because of these anxieties, some have succumbed to anti-immigrant attitudes or felt justified in their xenophobia toward countries that lend tens of billions of dollars to us annually, or those that sell millions of barrels of oil to us daily. But once again, we have not allowed these fears to paralyze the national psyche.
Some have cited the importance of this presidential election in overcoming racial animosity or ending decades of Washington partisanship. However, this election was an important symbol of Americans’ refusal to be permanently fearful. This election proved that Americans still believe their lives are shaped by the choices they make as a nation, and not by imaginary outside influences.
The election of a white candidate with the same platform and background as Mr. Obama would have also proved this principle; however, his status as the first minority president of the United States makes this election especially historic.
For decades, this country seemed apart from its true self. It is refreshing to see that we have reaffirmed that part of the American spirit that led to the election of such great leaders as FDR, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and now Obama.
Ehsan Sadeghipour is a senior in mechanical engineering. He can be reached at [email protected].
