A Pivotal Moment: Reflections on Unity, Division, and the 2024 Presidential Election
From the Pivotal Moment of 1991 to the Turning Point of 2024: A Personal Reflection on America’s Journey
As we approach the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, I reflect deeply on the forces at play in American society. This election isn’t just another political event; it may herald the most significant changes to Americans’ lives since the Republic was formed. The divisions are stark, the stakes are immeasurable, and the nation’s future hangs in the balance.
In this personal reflection, I delve into the historical and contemporary factors that have led us to this pivotal moment. From the symbolic peak of unity during Whitney Houston’s iconic 1991 Super Bowl performance to the deepening divides that now challenge the notion of the ‘United’ States, I explore how economic turmoil, political polarization, and social fractures have shaped America’s trajectory. My outsider's perspective of the historical context will give you a deeper understanding of the current state of America.
“O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Those words from the American national anthem have always stirred something profound within me, but it wasn’t until I watched Whitney Houston’s rendition at the 1991 Super Bowl that I truly felt their power.
Her performance is widely acclaimed as one of the best renditions ever. If you haven’t seen it recently, I urge you to take a few minutes to watch it.
Rolling Stone described it as “the gold standard for all Super Bowl performances,” and I couldn’t agree more. I hadn’t realized her performance’s impact until I saw it featured in the Clive Davis documentary on Netflix. As someone who loves music, watching Whitney sing that day was a revelation.
What struck me was how her performance symbolized America’s peak — its unity, power, and optimism. It felt like a metaphor for the nation’s zenith, for Whitney and the country. Looking back, I can’t help but think that January 27, 1991, marked a turning point. From that day, you can almost trace the beginning of America’s economic and political decline.
At the time, the U.S. was at war with Iraq, intervening to stop the invasion of Kuwait. The nation rallied behind its armed forces, and there was a palpable sense of unity and purpose. But one of the unintended consequences of that conflict was the emergence of vengeful terrorism, culminating a decade later in the September 11 attacks and leading to yet another war in the Middle East.
As the 20th century drew to a close, America appeared to be in robust health. The stock market was booming, and a sense of unbridled optimism existed. Yet, lurking around the corner was the dramatic crash of the early 21st century.
The Dot-Com bubble burst in 2000, and the Nasdaq, which had risen five-fold between 1995 and 2000, tumbled dramatically. By October 2002, it had fallen nearly 77% from its peak. Trillions of dollars in shareholder value evaporated, dealing a severe economic blow.
Then came the tragedy of 9/11, which not only shattered the nation’s sense of security but also led to prolonged military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Until 2020, these conflicts had cost the nation over $2 trillion, with ongoing expenses that will continue for decades.
The financial crisis of 2007–2008 was another devastating blow rooted in unbridled greed on Wall Street. The repercussions were global, but the impact on average Americans was particularly harsh. A 2012 U.S. Treasury report estimated that $19.2 trillion in household wealth was lost in the crash. While most Americans suffered, the wealthiest 1% emerged even richer, exacerbating economic inequality.
The first two decades of the 21st century have been challenging for America. While perhaps well-intentioned, the 2016 ‘Make America Great Again’ campaign entrenched further division, focusing on restoring a perceived lost greatness. The leadership style that emerged was characterized by incoherence and antagonism, precisely what the nation — and the world — didn’t need.
In the years before the COVID-19 crisis, underlying issues eroded the U.S. economy and society. Real wages stagnated, economic inequality rose, and household debt grew. Social media platforms amplified divisions, creating echo chambers reinforcing existing biases and making constructive dialogue increasingly unlikely. These issues are not just statistics but real concerns that we all need to address.
America has never truly been one unified country. The thirteen original colonies had different religious, economic, and political motives since its founding. The Civil War was a brutal testament to the deep-seated divisions between the North and South. Even today, regional differences persist. Northerners, Southerners, Midwesterners, and Californians often have strikingly different perspectives and lifestyles.
Political polarization intensified for years, long before the Trump presidency. The ideological chasm between Republicans and Democrats has widened, fueled partly by social media algorithms that isolate individuals into homogeneous groups. Distrust has become the default stance among citizens, replacing the mutual respect necessary for unity.
Economic inequality has further destabilized society. The gap between the wealthy and the rest of the population fuels resentment and disillusionment. Racial divisions, too, continue to fracture communities. The legacies of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing systemic racism are wounds that have yet to heal.
Adding to these challenges is a historical scepticism of federal authority. There’s a persistent thread of anti-federal sentiment from early rebellions to modern extremist ideologies. This distrust undermines efforts to address national issues cohesively.
Globally, while America grapples with internal strife, China has ascended as a unified superpower. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected America, has only accelerated this shift. China appears to have climbed off the COVID mat, while America seems down for the count. It’s an ironic twist that a virus originating in China has so profoundly affected America’s standing.
As someone who has travelled to America at least fifty times and lived there for two years, I don’t observe this situation dispassionately. I have a deep fondness for the country and its people. It pains me to see the divisions and the erosion of unity. The term “United States of America” feels increasingly like an oxymoron.
I wonder if Americans should consider forming regional alliances among states, acknowledging the deep-seated differences that appear insurmountable. It’s a controversial idea but perhaps a pragmatic solution to ongoing disunity. However, I firmly believe that the need for renewed unity is not just a hope but a necessity for a brighter future.
Yet, despite my scepticism, I hold onto hope. The world desperately needs a strong, cohesive, and united America. The great irony of COVID-19 is that if China had set out to find a way to weaken America, it couldn’t have devised a more potent weapon.
The next decade will be incredibly challenging for the entire world, and we’ll unlikely return to what we once considered normal anytime soon. It could also be the decade when global power swings firmly toward a unified and proud China and its alliance partners, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. What that means for the world is intriguing and frightening.
I hope Americans will rise from disunity and demonstrate the leadership needed to rebuild as a strong, resilient, and, most importantly, united nation.
As I watched Whitney sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the Clive Davis documentary, I felt the emotion in her voice and saw the pride on the faces of the fans. I understood why Americans were so confident on that day in January 1991.
“And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”
No one watching that Super Bowl performance thought for a second that it might mark anything other than the incredible beauty, energy, and power of their much-loved America. Yet, here we are, decades later, grappling with divisions that run deep and tear the fabric of American society.
Unity isn’t something that can be assumed; it requires effort, understanding, and a willingness to bridge gaps. While the challenges are immense, renewal is still possible and perhaps unlikely. America has shown resilience before, and I pray it can do so again.
About the author: Greg Twemlow, Founder of XperientialAI©.
Greg Twemlow: “Empowering future leaders and organizations by designing and delivering AI-integrated experiential learning programs that blend technology, ethics, and philosophy. Through consultancy, mentorship, innovation coaching, and thought leadership, I help CEOs, business leaders, and individuals ethically and efficiently implement AI solutions while fostering a culture of trust, integrity, and wisdom in an AI-driven world.” Contact Greg: greg@xperiential.ai
