America, a Eulogy.
American culture is dead. Now, I know what you are going to say: America is the great melting pot! We have cultures from everywhere! That is what makes this country great!
For a time, this was true. But over the last twenty years, we as a nation have eschewed the rich variety of music, arts, customs, and sentiments that have been brought here from generations of immigrants in favor of politics. Politics is the new American culture. You absolutely cannot do, think, or say anything without it being political.
Want healthcare? That’s political.
Want to have control over your own reproduction? That’s political.
Want not to be discriminated on based on your ethnicity? Political.
Education? Political.
Surviving a virus? Political.
Empathy? Political.
Simply existing? Well, you get the idea.
We, as a society, have driven ourselves to a point where politics is god. If you don’t make a political statement, you are disengaged, uncaring, or fighting for the enemy.
If you do, you are polarizing, shrill, and contemptuous.
We have allowed politics to define us and destroy us. America is increasingly party over country, ideology over empathy, self over others.
The death of American culture is one we have yet to mourn as so many are still drubbing and thumping on the corpse we refuse to acknowledge expired long ago. Maybe, one day, we will attempt to resurrect our dearly departed principles and unify under a newfound appreciation for our fellow man.
Until then, enjoy the wake.