America's Wake-Up Call: Urgent Need for Critical Thinking and Unity
“Warnings are often ignored due to fear of facing our truths. That’s why we need curiosity.” —Cultivate Curiosity, Richard Silvia
We lead busy lives: some of us enjoy the privileges we have, some of us are in school striving to be the best in our fields, and some are struggling to pay rent and buy groceries. Regardless of our circumstances, it is our engagement with and awareness of the world that will either sustain it or sink it.
At this crucial time in history, we Americans must wake up to the messages we are hearing. I believe education is key—not formal education or degrees, but the kind of education that involves processing information. How do we connect the dots and make sense of what we read, see, or hear? Is it true or even real? We urgently need critical thinking to discern the daily onslaught of information.
First, I want to highlight that our mainstream media is not adhering to journalistic norms. Renowned American historian Heather Cox Richardson, in this 13-minute video, addresses the urgency of our attentiveness and the current state of affairs in the United States. I hope you’ll watch it: Heather Cox Richardson video
These tumultuous days have been hard to reconcile. We are angry and sad, we are also hopeful and apocalyptic. But it’s not entirely our fault. We should point out that The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a nonpartisan nonprofit, has warned that “Americans may not realize they are already in an information war”. The FDD’s report urges all Americans to become aware of what’s happening “right before our eyes”. In my opinion, the current situation is reminiscent of Hitler’s rise through propaganda, with too many downplaying the danger or, worse, willingly participating in the rise of authoritarianism aimed at destroying democracy: FDD report
Third, Trump and the GOP’s Project 2025 plan is alarming. This 922-page transition plan includes replacing 50,000 longtime government civil servants with Trump loyalists, undermining the rule of law, eliminating free and fair elections, instituting a national abortion ban, removing access to contraception, ending LGBTQ rights, and creating a white nationalist society modeled on Hungary’s Christian Illiberal “democracy.” This plan aims to undo years of progress and optimism since our Constitution was ratified in 1789. The overturning of five-decade long law Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022 was just the beginning of their agenda: Project 2025 THREAD READER
Dear America, let’s conclude with this: Our diversity is our strength. Racial and gender equality, LGBTQ rights, and democracy are why we support Biden-Harris 2024.
My sentiments are echoed in this insightful TikTok live from American journalist and TV personality Joy Reid: Joy Reid TikTok.
The decisions we made yesterday and those we make today will either strip away the power of the people’s checks and balances or enforce the guardrails created to sustain law and order. IT WILL CHANGE LIFE AS WE KNOW IT. This is a call to action—a collective call for our common interests. All our diverse groups share the goal of advancing civil rights, social justice, and equality. Together, we seek:
- Equality and Anti-discrimination
- Social Justice
- Representation and Political Power
- Economic Opportunity
- Healthcare Access
- Educational Equity
This can be understood as our Equal Rights Movement for All (ERMA). Now is our time to connect, educate, and bring awareness to our shared values, integrating empathy and compassion towards each other. We must lead by example, demonstrating through our actions that we can inspire. Through storytelling, we can highlight how powerful our personal anecdotes impact one another.
I believe it’s our time to be engaged—to use our voices, platforms, and influencers to spread messages of shared empathy and compassion.
One thing is certain: I don’t want to fight the world anymore; I want to live in it. But to do that, we must stand up for what is right and defend the good. Our voices, when used for positive change, can reach the world. My fellow human beings, sing your personal power from the mountaintop. You’ve had it all along.
Sources:
Joy Reid: Joy Reid TikTok.
[Heather Cox Richardson video]
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
Thank you. I agree that we have been in an information war for some time and its dangerous outcome is right before our eyes and it is critical that we open them and look at what is happening and take whatever action we can. Thank you for your insight and for sharing it.