
That is what strength means in America. Stoicism. Forgetting. Putting up with it. Gritting our teeth and just going on. Bearing it — even if it is unbearable. Is that really strength? To be able to put up with every fresh monstrosity, and still smile a rictus grin? Most of you will …
Stoicism is the most American thing of all, isn’t it? It’s in our DNA, Stoic pride disguising itself as strength. Maybe it comes from a nation of despised people building something new. Maybe it comes from a New World that had to be conquered and subdued, with atrocity and genocide an…