Reasons for Hope
As we approached the 250th anniversary of our country on July 4, Jennifer Rubin in The Contrarian described how many Americans felt despondent, and even ashamed about our country.
When Michelle Obama spoke at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on June 18, she reminded us that “Hope is a choice!”
Here are just a few reasons that we can embrace hope – huge Democratic voter turnout during the primary mid-term elections, many mass peaceful demonstrations since the 2024 election, and polls showing a supermajority of Americans believe in democracy, diversity, inclusion and personal freedom.
On July 8 Nicholas Kristof wrote a piece for The New York Times titled, “Can the United States Hold On?” He shared reasons that many despair about our future. But he also described himself as “a bit more optimistic than many of my fellow Americans.”
“Maybe that’s because my wife and I were in small-town America – Ashland, Ore., for a theater festival – on July 4. Ashland’s annual Independence Day parade was an uplifting celebration that included free American flags and Popsicles, a military flyover and parade participants calling for universal health care and welcoming immigrants. Far from the toxicity of Washington, D.C., it captured all the contradictions and beauty of our county.”
Hope is a choice!
On August 20 I will be moving to Ashland, Oregon. Reading Kristof’s article inspired me with hope and optimism! I look forward to participating in that Independence Day parade next year and becoming an active member of a community that supports universal healthcare and welcomes immigrants! This choice gives me hope!
