An American Renaissance

In the 1950’s the Soviet Union told the U.S. that they would bury us and that history was on their side.  In the 1980s everyone was convinced that Japan was about to eclipse the Unites States as the world economic power.  Now we’re told to make way to China.  Some argue for what is described as a multipolar world with many dominant forces, but most are betting that the scenario will be one in which China supplants the U.S. as the primary power in the global economy.

The difference this time around is that most Americans seem to buy into this prediction.  Gloom and doom seem to be the order of the day.  Yes we’re going through rough times, but as someone I was speaking to who came here from Eastern Europe recently told me, “You people have no idea how good you have it.  You’re worried about the unemployment rate rising.  When I grew up, I didn’t have running water!”  It’s true that many of us are going through truly horrendous times, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s also true that Americans truly don’t know how good they have it.

The American spirit seems to have changed.  In the past when these greatly exaggerated reports about America’s demise surfaced, we would scoff at them, not in a complacent way; it was a response that made us work harder and become even more productive and resilient.  Now it seems that we simply shrug and give way to what we see as the inevitable.  Yes, there are strong and compelling arguments as to why China could overtake us by 2030, but a lot has to fall into place for that prediction to come true. China has an aging population, and who knows how stable the Chinese government will be a few years down the line.  But, what I’m talking about has nothing to do with China.  The issue isn’t whether China is eclipsing the U.S; it’s whether American’s are now willing to be eclipsed.  We never were before.  We were the dreamers who made dreams come true, we were the beacon to the world, the land of opportunity.  People from all corners of the globe have risked their lives to land on these shores.

Maybe it’s the political polarization that has caused this shift.  One section of America is so busy warring with another that we’ve truly become a house divided.  It’s as though we’re fighting the civil war again, but it’s not physical carnage this time, it’s spiritual and emotional carnage.  We have become so focused on fighting one another that we’ve forgotten the immense power of a unified American.

It’s up to us.  The politicians are locked in a 24/7 reelection strategy.  The system is set up so that no sooner does a politician get office than his or her focus is on how to stay there, as opposed to how to truly serve the country.  Yes, we need them to act wisely, but if we simply wait for them, we’re in trouble.  This is still America.  Not that long ago, during the boom of the 1990’s, we were growing at an amazing 2.7% per head.  We can do it again.

So what does all of this have to do with PR or with launching a public relations campaign?  A lot actually.  If collectively we shift the narrative from why the U.S. is on an unstoppable downward spiral, my bet is we can move forward.  If we change our perspective and focus on why America is once again going to thrive and on building, creating and growing a vibrant economy – we win!   It’s time for an American renaissance.  As a nation that’s been our staple.  We specialize in new starts, new beginnings.  Why stop now?

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2011