The Delicate Balance
On Christmas day in 1991, the hammer and sickle flew for the last time, and its permanent removal represented a political tsunami. The tidal wave broke over the 70- year-old Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and inundated Eastern Europe and western Asia, and the rushing tide brought not death but a baptismal hope of a new life of freedom. In 2011, the Arab Spring blossomed into a flowering new day of political pluralism, participation and expansion of individual rights – democracy reaffirmed as the universal wish of the world.
Winter is coming. The Old Iron Curtain countries have had, with an occasional exception, an ambivalent if not regressive relationship to true democracy. The Arab Spring was a very short season of hope. Civil war in Syria and erratic behavior in Egypt. Dictators on the left and right rule with a façade of democracy and an iron grip to replace the Iron Curtain. Democracies and their liberties weakened by their own leaders.
Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing. Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago. (Pete Seeger)
Winston Churchill said democracy is a bad form of government, but the others are so much worse. It now appears deflated, and its survival uncertain. It demands constant participation and attention. Democracy has always been a delicate balance, held together by a gentlemen’s agreement and a handshake. A principle of Shotokan karate says the art is like boiling water, without the fire, it turns cold. Winter is coming.
In 2004 during a talk at the American University in Rome, Franco Frattini, an Italian diplomat and past EU official, said that although Europe’s nations are Old World with far longer histories than the USA’s, America is the oldest active and most vibrant democracy. That is why Europe looks to American leadership. The brightest star in the constellation. The light has dimmed and the glow from Lady Liberty’s torch has darkened.
No, the cause is not the Constitutional right to protest, a glorious expression of freedom that has stirred others for decades. We see this playing out in our streets across the country. There are people of all colors and religions, united to make things better through our First Amendment. Much has been accomplished by peaceful protests drawing out the evil that they bring to light. From tragedy comes hope for good and needed change. Pres. Trump, himself ignorant of history, has cut the ropes and raised the anchor setting adrift the ship of state. He is not the only one to blame.
We don’t teach our students to honor all of America’s servicemen and women, so people may freely voice their opposition, in the streets and at the polling places. No, it is not perfect, and never will be. But we endeavor to make it so, as if there is a perfect form of America in Plato’s sky of perfect objects that we can only attempt to achieve. Perfection from fallible humanity defines oxymoronic.
We all have political grievances, disagreements of low and high degree. Racial, economic, religious, environmental, social. But in America’s flaws we can tell our kids nowhere else do people rise above and fight for justice, fairness and equality in so many ways and be so proud of that. Love and respect transcend family arguments. If our young people don’t respect nor understand the massive sacrifice of so many to protect those rights to march openly and speak freely, that is our fault.
We have a large immigrant and minority population; many serve, guarding our democratic heritage; many have not. Most natural born Americans, since the draft ended, never served. Without conscription, a family with a veteran or a tradition of military service, education is Uncle Sam’s outreach to illuminate the human cost of preserving democracy. Schools must examine our nation’s failures, just as Germany mandates Holocaust studies, we too cannot look askance at our Japanese internment camps nor give slavery short shrift. Our mistakes cannot define us, but our lurching forward to atone and make amends for a better country can. This includes a new-found appreciation for our military.
How do we preserve the freedoms to demand a more perfect union without acknowledging the history behind the holidays, and honor the soldier’s legacy. It’s time to honor the military in our schools and begin teaching about our nation’s high holy days: Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Flag Day, July 4th, reflecting and paying respects to our soldiers and responders who have lost health or lives, so free expression in America still stands as the global model for legitimate dissent.
Nothing happens in May and June, ‘the vast wasteland’ of the school calendar. The last five weeks can be a glorious time to celebrate America—what it means, what it must become, and why we must hold sacred its current and past warriors. What a perfect time to implement teaching about true heroes from small towns and big cities, what they fought for and the debt owed. For all the unnecessary and dubious requirements thrown at schools, what we need most has been injuriously absent. If we don’t keep the water boiling, it will turn cold.
June 6th, 2020 marked the 76th anniversary of the largest invasion in world history. Thousands died, many more hurt on that day alone, so that those commemorating the life and protesting the death of George Floyd could do so. Not a single sign or salute during the demonstrations paying tribute to them could be seen in Saturday’s crowds. Did they even know it was D-Day, or what it signifies? Mass protests have taken place in Floyd’s name also in UK, Canada—democracies that lost so many young men on Normandy’s beaches. It was D-Day, and everyone took for granted the rights they exercised by ignoring the sacrifices made that day and subsequent days of battle and death.
“Johnny Tremain”, a novel about Boston on the cusp of revolution, was once required reading in New York City. A valuable learning tool on so many levels, was amputated by the curriculum butchers. Near the story’s end, in a secret meeting, the Sons of Liberty contemplated a question from James Otis, ”Why fight?” He answered his own question for all: “So a man can stand up.”
If we don’t keep the water boiling, it will turn cold.