Recently someone referred to us as optimistic in regard to America. We’re not. Or at least it’s not as simple as that. I am grateful for the comment, as it motivated me to think more deeply about where we stand, and why.
It’s an interesting word—optimism. It can be understood as ever hopeful. Believing the best. Seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty. Looking at it a certain way, it can be interpreted as naive, and seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Of crossing our fingers and tuning into the good while turning a deaf ear to the bad,. If one looks at it in that sense, then no, we’re not particularly optimistic.
It’s an interesting word—optimism. It can also be understood as deeply determined to work for what is possible, even when the odds seem stacked against us. Believing in the inherent good in others, however deeply buried. Knowing that the glass is capable of holding more. Looking at it a certain way, it can be understood as determined, and seeing the world with clear-eyed precision. Of rolling up our sleeves and tuning into the good while taking on the bad in the all the ways we are able. If one looks at in that sense, then yes, we are are optimistic.
Optimism means we will not let go of our call to love, help, and heal the world within our reach.
Optimism means we will not let go of our vision for this country we love, or of the people we love.
Optimism means we will not be deterred by fear, anger, or hatred.
Optimism means we will not let go of our commitment to bring the best of ourselves to all of our endeavors, and to expect and challenge others to do the same.
Optimism means carrying the torches of freedom and justice that others, in darker times than these, have passed on to us to bear.
Optimism is not for the faint of heart. It is courageous, gritty, stubborn, and tenacious.
Like our imperfect union, our efforts will be imperfect, too. But that is no reason to stop.
I don’t know if we will inch our way closer to the American promise of liberty and justice for all, in our lifetime.
I don’t know if we will see a time when we the people actually means all the people, in our lifetime.
But I do know this: There is always, always, always something we can do to help move the long arc of the moral universe towards justice. Always.
And that sounds a lot like optimism to me.
