Pride and Shame

Having been born, educated and now nearing retirement from a scientific career in the USA, there are things about this country I am proud of and things that I’m ashamed of. I take ‘pride’ to mean that ‘I value my association with’. I take ‘shame’ to mean my negative reaction to and regret with certain instances of moral turpitude.

What shame I may have in my country’s actions and policies over time isn’t necessarily due to uniquely American traits. We’re humans after all with all of the pluses and minuses that go with it. However, the pluses and minuses in conjunction with our burgeoning economic power over time and the rich natural resources we hold allow us to impose our will with in-house treasure. Conveniently, we don’t have to invade another country for oil or iron ore to drive our industry. However, our lust for cheap oil & gas has led to considerable trouble.

American Pride

I’m proud of the founders who disconnected from Great Britain despite the sacrifices in blood and treasure during the late 18th century and founded this unique republic. While the founders wisely developed a founding document to avoid the problems of monarchy and establish a functioning republic, there were significant omissions such as banning slavery or establishing equal rights for women.

I’m proud of our steady progress in all of the various technologies that have removed the sharp edges from what nature has historically imposed on us: Disease, predation, high infant mortality, brief lifespans and primitive life. In many ways the march of technological advancement has been a benefit to all of us and the rest of the world as well.

I’m proud of the advancement of women, albeit too slow, in our civilization. The march forward is not nearly finished, but to have advanced women from chattel to some level of equality is a plus.

I’m proud of our country for the advancements made towards global peace and prosperity since WWII. The years of our liberal democracy since then are unmatched in history.

I’m proud of the positive global interventions for peace we’ve made since the start of WWI.

I’m proud that my country has been a prominent global influence for peace and justice.

I’m proud of my country’s positive moral actions toward feeding the hungry and spreading medical care.

I’m proud of our periods of military restraint and our caution with nuclear weapons after having once used them.

I’m proud of America’s role in restraining Soviet and Chinese imperialism.

American Shame

I am ashamed of our part in the worldwide patriarchy and the lethargic movement forward with equal rights for women.

I am ashamed of the horrors that befell the Native Americans throughout the American settlement of North America. The murderous expansion by fortune-seekers and settlers over the continent and the ten thousand privations forced on them is inexcusable and remains a bloody disfigurement on the American character.

I am ashamed of our part in slavery in the Americas and the number of people who had to die in a bloody civil war to end it.

I am ashamed of my country’s covert meddling into the affairs of other nations as in South and Central America, Cuba and elsewhere.

I am ashamed of the many wars and conflicts we have participated in over absolutist ideologies and the deep senselessness of our political parties.

I am ashamed of our enthusiastic part in the development of nuclear weapons and our perverse cleverness in optimizing their design.

I am ashamed of the influence of capitalism on internal and foreign policy and the greedy idolatry it brings.

I am ashamed of the neoliberal right turn the country is presently taking and the acceptance of blatant falsehoods asserted therein.

I am ashamed of America’s reelection of a man of low moral character and proven dishonesty as well as the large-scale support he enjoys.