State of My Response, 2/2011
Barack Obama’s words did not ring empty to me as he spoke of the connection we all have to something greater than us, beyond parties and ideologies. Despite his emphasis on unity, Obama’s greater emphasis lied on fostering competition within the traditional framework of materialism/consumerist ethos, and the realization of the American dream. He focused on the need for everyone to make a decent living, and extolled the importance of the teaching of math, science in education, on development, technology, and innovation. This is consistent with the traditional belief that competition fosters brings out the best in this system. This is not without merit. Science has taught us about the survival of the fittest, and it is competition and innovation that brings this about. It is this that is at stake, it seems. Our very survival considering the challenges that we face. It is smart to assert the need for ourselves to reinvent ourselves as a people living in a new era, and the focus on clean energy technology. The wisdom in ending the subsidies to oil companies, and revoke this corrupting tie between business and government. I agree with Obama that we must invest in our future.
He spoke of the American family, but made no such comment about a world family. He spoke about a race to educate our children, but a race against whom? A race against those with whom we compete for our survival? Is this really the case, or do we win if we all help one another rise to meet the challenges of living in this world? That would certainly not please the conservatives who take the nature of existence with a grain of salt. But, is it realistic in this worldview that we will defeat our enemies without creating an infinite series of more of them? We have seen how expensive and difficult it has been to defeat terrorism. If we exuded a little more compassion, is it unrealistic that we could win some of them over? What good is freedom if greed of the few impoverishes the many? This is a skewed view of freedom, and if the above is the case, then we cease to be a “beacon of light” for the rest of the world, and are a majorly disfunctional American family.
To remain consistent to the theme of unity, Obama would do better, while acknowledging the importance of excellence in math and science to secure our survival as a nation, and cosmopolitan world citizens, to not neglect the humanities: philosophy, psychology, art. Yes, survival is a must, but we also require for it to have meaning. There is a virtue in freedom in studying that which brings us the most joy, to be able to provide the best for the family by cultivating the talents which we have a propensity for. Education is key to Obama’s vision of the future, with which I agree, but not a one-sided education. Humanities demonstrate their relevance by supplying the meaning to our existence, and providing avenues for us to not just survive, but to survive with a depth and richness of experience, following our passions, and feeding our souls. Yes, Americans, unite, in more ways than one.
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Nina-Lois Turtledove is deeply interested in philosophy, psychology, peace studies, nutrition, tradition, and progress. When she's not slinging meatloaf and gingerbread at a highly acclaimed Denver restaurant, she is helping found an online music school. She is writing a manual designed to improving people's lives through yoga, cooking, and gardening (among other things). This is an online collection of her journal.