Member-only story
The Broken Promise of America
An Urgent Call for Bold Action to Revive Main Street
Let me take you back to a time when America was great, when the streets were alive with people connecting with each other, and the air was filled with the sounds of communities coming together.
It wasn’t a time that was great for everyone despite what some say. For many marginalized communities, it was a time of discrimination, inequality, and limited opportunities. But we had the promise that change and progress would, over time, resolve those problems so that everyone could enjoy the good times and community together.
Sadly, that never happened. Instead, we now find ourselves in a society where the gap between the haves and have-nots has grown wider, and the promise of progress seems further away than ever.
The unchecked greed of a few has led us down a path of decline, and we must now work to rebuild the community and sense of togetherness that once defined us as a nation. While we may not be able to fully recapture what we’ve lost, we can still aspire to create a brighter future and build a more equitable society for all.
Back in those early days, at least in our heads, we though it was a time when we looked out for one another and worked together to build a better future for all.
As far as some of us privileged folks were concerned, we saw that it was a time when small towns across the country were filled with bustling mom and pop shops, each one a neighborhood hub where locals would gather to catch up and share stories.
The local bars were more than just places to grab a drink; they were where people went to connect with others and share laughter over just about anything. From small talk to deep conversations, these were the places where we forged new friendships and strengthened old ones. The same was true of community events, where the whole town would come out to celebrate together. Whether it was a parade, a festival, or a simple block party, these gatherings were the glue that held us together and made us feel like a real community.
The sense of community was palpable, and a helping hand was never far away. For many of us, those memories still bring a smile to our faces, and we long for a return to…
