The timely lessons of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was born out of division and conflict. Historians trace the origins of the holiday back to commemoration of Union veterans of the Civil War. Local and regional celebrations on different days eventually merged into one. After the World Wars, the day became one honoring all those who perished while serving in armed conflicts, and was eventually established on a set date by Congress.

If we are going to make Memorial Day about something more than a long weekend, we should remember this history.

We live in a time of historic conflict and division. Civil wars might seem like a problem for other countries or a shelf in the history section of a bookstore, but astute observers are concerned about the prospect of civil conflict in America. Broadly speaking, we assume our political opponents are further away from us in their beliefs than they actually are, and we are alarmingly likely to view them as enemies and not neighbors who disagree on public policy. We inhabit different information environments and seemingly different realities, and there is way too much heated rhetoric and far too many guns floating around. 

We’re not likely to see divisions of troops marching on Atlanta again anytime soon, but a low-level, simmering conflict like the Troubles in Northern Ireland is a frightening possibility.

We assume our political opponents are further away from us in their beliefs than they actually are, and we are alarmingly likely to view them as enemies and not neighbors who disagree on public policy.

The transformation of Memorial Day gives me hope, however. It started as a celebration for only one side of the conflict (in fact, there are conflicting stories about which side started it in the first place), but it became something that ties us together.

It also became a way to tie different people into the American story. We forget that German and Irish Americans sparked the anti-immigrant hysteria of a prior era. But many of them fought, and died, for the dream of an America that belonged to them, too. Over time, Memorial Day became a unifying force, tying in their sacrifice and blending them into a nation that is constantly being re-founded and transformed.

Today, there are plenty of non-citizens who serve and even die in service in the American military. There are others – like Puerto Ricans or natives of Washington, D.C. – willing to sacrifice their lives, but have no representation in Congress and no ability to vote for the next president.

Perhaps the best way to commemorate Memorial Day is to relearn the lessons of history – doing what we can to lessen political division and expand the dream of American democracy.

Imperfect Uniter of the Week: Bridge Alliance

The Bridge Alliance is a coalition of citizens from across the country who work to bridge the divides that separate us and help fix our political system now. Its members are committed to revitalizing America through civic engagement, governance and policy making, and campaign and election processes.

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