Should America focus more on the civic virtue of gratitude? It’s a question worth asking as we approach Thanksgiving.
We don’t mean personal gratitude. Most Americans are undoubtedly grateful for their family and friends, the roofs over their heads, God’s creation, and the blessings we enjoy in this country.
But do we sufficiently publicly acknowledge these blessings in our national discourse? Do our leaders regularly express gratitude for the greatness of this country? Are we teaching young people in our schools and colleges how lucky we are to be Americans – and how important gratitude is for our country?
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There are some worrying signs. For example, a recent Axios-Generation Lab poll found that more students have a positive view of socialism than capitalism.
Yes, capitalism has its problems, and the fears of young people faced with problems like student debt and high housing costs are understandable. But are we losing our appreciation for America’s free enterprise system that has lifted millions out of poverty and helped countless people build better lives for themselves and their families?
Schools spent a lot of time on the story of the first Thanksgiving and how the Pilgrims, after enduring the “starvation time,” sat down to feast and give thanks with the American Indians who had helped them survive.
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Today, many schools might as well skip that story, pour cold water on the first Thanksgiving tradition or mark the season with a general harvest celebration.
In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, President George Washington urged Americans to “recognize with grateful hearts the many signifying favors of Almighty God….” (iStock)
It would be interesting to know how often parents hear their children say, “We learned at school today to be grateful for our country.”
Choose a university and view the list of American history courses. You’ll likely come across descriptions using words like “exploitation,” “oppression,” “imperialism,” and “exclusion.” You probably won’t find many with phrases like “the miracle of America” or “achievements of the American spirit.”
To be sure, the United States has sometimes fallen short of its ideals. It has committed sins, some of them serious. But for all its faults, ours is the story of a great country that gives us much to be grateful for.
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If we teach young people to roll their eyes – or worse – at their own country’s past, while neglecting to teach them gratitude for it, we are not being fair to them. In fact it is a recipe for cultural decay.
In our political discourse, we understandably spend a lot of time on our problems. There is a lot to discuss. Too many Americans wake up worried about making ends meet, finding a job or paying medical bills.
But let us not neglect our national blessings. America has the strongest and most resilient economy in the world. No other country offers more opportunities to climb the ladder of success. We enjoy freedoms that millions of people around the world would love to have. American companies are leading the world in scientific advancement.
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Our country’s greatest leaders emphasized gratitude. In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, President George Washington urged Americans to “recognize with a grateful heart the many significant favors of Almighty God, especially in affording them an opportunity of peaceably establishing a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
George Washington, portrait painting by Constable-Hamilton, 1794. From the New York Public Library. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
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In 1863, in the midst of a terrible Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln reminded Americans that they still had much to be thankful for, including fertile fields, abundant natural resources, and the anticipation of the coming years “with great increases of liberty.” Lincoln asked that these gifts be “reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by all the American people.”
The tradition of giving thanks as one people is deeply ingrained in the American spirit. Our country is one of the few countries in the world that sets aside a day every year specifically to express gratitude. The United States was perhaps the first country to establish an annual Thanksgiving Day with Lincoln’s Proclamation in 1863. That’s something we can all be proud of.
“The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621,” is a painting from 1914 and is currently part of a private collection. Artist Brownscombe, Jennie Augusta (1850-1936). (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
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In these days of fierce partisan division, when Americans are wondering how we can come together to tackle formidable problems, perhaps shared gratitude is a first step toward setting things right. “In everything give thanks,” says the Bible.
That’s good advice. Sharing thanks – like breaking bread – could do wonders to bring Americans together.
John Cribb is the author of ‘The Rail Splitter’ and ‘Old Abe’, historical novels about Abraham Lincoln. He is co-author with William Bennett of “The American Patriot’s Almanac.”
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