What if we chose a different way to think about the American experiment? What would happen if we thought of it like a fantasy-world video game?
Today, it hit me that we can reframe how we look at the history of America as a whole. We could think of it in terms of a video game. We could think of different eras as levels, specific incidents could be seen as checkpoints, and rapid change as a springboard event much like a bonus round.
Level One: “Discovery” This is the era where European people first step foot on what would become America up through colonization. In this time you see land begin being taken, and slavery being used to transform how America would be built.
Level Two: Independence This is the era where independence is won, and the foundation for the American Dream is cast. The framework for what we continue to strive toward today is built. The language used in setting forth an equal and just country existed, but the exclusion of those who were not white property-owning men sets up the battle America will face moving forward.
Level Three: Expansion This is the era when American begins its expansion from the initial 13 states. In this time you also start to see people questioning the merits of continued slavery.
Level Four: The Battle Within This is the era which encompasses the Civil War. It brings about the end of slavery and could have set forth equality for all men. But, fear of the freedom of others leads to some of America’s darkest years.
Level Five: Moving West and Industrializing This era leads to the greatest area expansion in America’s history. In this time you see the deep impacts of exclusion, not just on racial basis, but also gender.
Level Six: Equality Nears This is the era of the Suffrage Movement, the Great Depression, World Wars, the Civil Rights movement, and the teaching of American Exceptionalism. More people are desiring a seat at the table and it becomes evident that America is reluctant to get a bigger table.
Level Seven: It Exists On Paper This is the era that includes the present day. Equality for all Americans exists on paper, but the reality is still far from the truth of many American Lives. Economic disparity grows, racial injustice continues, and sexual/gender exclusion broadens.
Looking back to the history of America it falls into this hypothetical game very easily. You could point to specific points in time that were the checkpoints leading to the next level. After the initial “discovery” there is the period of exploration. This leads to the process of colonization. Colonization leaps us into the next level of Independence. Basing a game on events that have already happened is simple.
If we look deeply at our American history it also becomes very possible that there were specific events that could have rocketed us further along in our quest. The beginning of level two is the first such event. If we had truly believed all men were equal and moved into our independence with the understanding that all people were created equal the next checkpoints could have easily been skipped. The next event would be the ending of slavery after the Civil War. If freedom was actually achieved for all black Americans we skip the checkpoints that would end up being Jim-Crow South. If we also honor equality at this time the erasure of the original inhabitants of this land would not be forefront during this timeframe. The third event in our timeline that could have accelerated our path was the Civil Rights/Women’s Rights Era. If we come out of this time period with true justice for those who had been oppressed we could have skipped further along than where we currently sit today.
The latest incident where we thought we were entering the next level was the election of America’s first black president. What we are seeing now is that was actually a bonus round that could have leapt us closer to attaining the American Dream had we only been ready and realized the potential. However, we have seen a great reaction to this progress. With rhetoric being repeated by our leaders that was until recently reserved for the worst among us. A leader who speaks directly to his base using inflammatory language about those who oppose his beliefs. Then you add the increase in white nationalism and racial based terrorism to get an era that could return us to the last sustained checkpoint in America’s quest.
I believe this election could be the last figurative life in this level. The last chance to move forward without completely undoing the progress attained. Was our last true checkpoint the Civil Rights Movement? If so, is it possible that all of the progress in America’s journey for equality since then be undone. If you look to the attacks on “suburban life”, it becomes hard to believe that the goal of some current leaders is not to continue where we currently are, but to return us to where we were. Returning to the last checkpoint may be video game norm but, it can’t be reality’s norm.
If we look forward to what Liberty and Justice For All could be you can imagine what the next checkpoints will be. I believe moving forward in this figurative game the upcoming checkpoints will be: massive police reform, governmental reparations for the subjugated, constitutional amending equality to include the LGBTQ community. The next step in this path could quite possibly be the election of America’s first female president. Female leadership is a rapidly approaching checkpoint that could blast us closer to the American Dream of equality. I wish it were possible for me to see what the future of this journey will bring. I wish I could cash in my points to buy more lives for the current level. I wish the last bonus round would have leapt us past where we currently are. But, first we must use this last hypothetical life to move us out of the current landscape.
This is where the fantasy-game loses it’s analogy to me. It’s great to look back at where we have come from. But, we can’t take for granted the great work and sacrifice that has propelled us to where we are today. We are not talking about a game that automatically saves progress and gives you the ability to jump around to gain the points to move forward. We are talking about the lives and humanity of American citizens and future citizens. We are talking about going backwards to a place people fought to move forward from. Every single bit of progression towards equality has been a very personal battle for someone. Those fights must be revered to hold true moving forward. Allowing the gains that have been made to be undone will make repeating those gains all the more challenging. Not only have we learned from those gains, but the opposition to that progress also learned how to prevent those changes from happening again.
Progress doesn’t only require work to happen, it requires that work to be ever-present to sustain.
The Quest For Liberty and Justice For All has come a long way. It also has a long way to go.
Changed So Much! 