American Identity

The essay well states something that I think is critical to understanding the current US political situation. And why it may get even worse in the future. A Nation is simply a group of people with a common understanding of some basic beliefs that hold them together and is part of their identity. For most of American history, certain stories - or myths - about American were taught in pretty much all schools, so that the population had a common basis. All of the stories weren't true (Washington and the cherry tree), but that is less important than that they formed a foundation for being American. Today, it appears to me that schools are not consistent in teaching any foundational stories, and instead send an inordinate amount of time presenting the negative truths of American history. Don't get me wrong, there are many negative truths in American history - but there are many positives as well. And it is critical to present the positives at least as frequently as the negatives. Indeed, I would argue that setting a foundation of positive myths and truths is critical to the survival of any nation. From that common foundation, the negatives can by evaluated in a way that is effective, without destroying the fabric of the national society. That that destruction is what I fear is happening today - slowly, for sure, but happening. Here is the essay that started me thinking about this: https://www.city-journal.org/nationalism