Photo of an America flag flying at full mast, photo courtesy of Flickr.
By Kate Murray ’22
Staff Writer
The belief that the United States is immune from severe political and social problems has found credence among Americans for generations. Those who call this country home have relished in its uniqueness since the earliest colonial settlers arrived in the 17th century. John Winthrop, an early leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, famously deemed America a “city upon a hill,” implying the rest of the world would view the United States as an exemplar of freedom and democracy. This is one of the earliest documented manifestations of American exceptionalism: the idea of an enduring distinctiveness setting the United States apart from all other nations. Political figures from both major parties have upheld this narrative, and doing so has greatly shaped how Americans have constructed their identity over the centuries and has informed the country’s response to problems at home and abroad.
There is an important distinction to be made between recognizing the ways in which the United States is one-of-a-kind and believing in its “untouchable” superiority. As with any country, there are aspects of the American experience that are unique and worth celebrating. However, there is a problematic belief among many Americans that crises cannot happen here, simply “because it’s America.” Not only is this rationale blatantly false, it will also not satisfy people forever — in fact, a PEW research report shows this belief is especially dwindling among young people.
There is plentiful evidence of the United States bungling its response to various social emergencies, not to mention how it compares to other nations in terms of caring for its citizens and upholding democratic institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example: Despite being one of the wealthiest and most scientifically-advanced nations in the world, the United States has experienced more COVID-19 deaths than any other country. Failure of the federal government to coordinate efforts with state and local agencies, inaccurate and inconsistent messaging about the virus and delayed widespread testing are just a few of the many ways the United States botched its response to the pandemic. Unexceptional, to say the least.
What has particularly struck me about those who embrace an American exceptionalist mindset is their failure to understand the ways the behavior of political figures and U.S. policies run counter to the aspects of the country they claim are exceptional. America’s unparalleled emphasis on freedom and democracy are praised, despite, according to Professor Michael McDonald, “the greatest rollback on voting rights in this country since the Jim Crow era” currently unfolding across the nation. Trump supporters didn’t bat an eyelash when the former president violated one democratic norm after another and denied the legitimacy of his political opponents. If this is the standard to which the rest of the world should be held, we are destined for disaster.
This country has used the ideal of American exceptionalism to justify some of the greatest human atrocities in history, from our involvement in global wars because it was our “moral obligation” to seizing indiginous lands because it was our “destiny” to do so. If the rest of the world’s eyes are on America, as John Winthrop suggested, there is little to be inspired by. Consider the magnitude of the economic disparity and racial inequity that have become a fixed feature of the American landscape. Despite these problems becoming harder and harder to ignore, there are some who still insist on painting a picture of America as a uniquely tolerant country. Even former president Barack Obama, who as a Black man understood firsthand just how intolerant America could be, evoked the ideas of John Winthrop in a 2016 speech: “Most of all, I see Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together – black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; young and old; gay, straight, men, women, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance, under the same proud flag, to this big, bold country that we love.”
This romanticized image is far from the America I witness everyday. Until this country begins to aggressively advocate for democracy, discuss plans for achieving racial equity and address the appalling amount of economic inequality within its borders, it does not deserve to be the gold standard to which all other nations are held. Having just celebrated the independence day holiday, it would serve Americans well to rethink the ways they have been taught to conceptualize their country and reflect on how they may be perpetuating the misguided notion of American exceptionalism. Before we can start taking responsibility for our wrongdoings as a nation, it is imperative that we understand ourselves accurately and reckon with our past.