Philosophical Political Climate in America

May 26, 2025

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Painting by Duygu Yalman, 2009 – 70 x 60 cm

Ever since its founding, America has been idealized as the “land of the free”, a notion which also resulted in the beautifully elusive “American Dream”. One of liberty, opportunity, freedom, is the dream that has been passed down through generations. Yet today, many Americans find themselves disillusioned. Dissatisfaction with the government runs high. Still, the hope for a better future remains, and sometimes it begins not with sweeping policies but the stories told about the citizens and what they believe is possible.

Within the arts, American literature and cinema have long provided social commentary on the nature of freedom. For example, the religious hypocrisy that characterized colonial America prompted Nathaniel Hawthorne to write The Scarlet Letter (1850). This passionate romance employed supernatural elements to narrate a sweeping tale of sin, guilt, and redemption. Upon the release of the heavily criticized 1995 film adaptation that stars Demi Moore as Hester Prynne, audiences were reintroduced to the conversation surrounding judgment and individual freedom, core concerns of the American psyche.

Similarly, American history has provided the backdrop for groundbreaking historical fiction. For example, Arthur Miller’s stage play The Crucible paid homage to the hysteria of The Salem Witch Trials while simultaneously warning viewers about blacklisting and McCarthyism. These two compelling classics have stood the test of time by connecting Americans across generations, asking them to reckon with themselves, face their history and imagine how they might do better.

The same principle applies today. While no one can control the actions of others, each person has the power to examine their own beliefs, question what they’ve accepted, and willingly choose to act differently. If more Americans are willing to embrace that, and even write new stories – this time of accountability and hope, then perhaps the dream this country was built on will feel less elusive. So choose wisely.