Here I am, sitting down to write my first of what I hope will be many “Translating America” columns.

As I begin, the thought occurred to me, “What will our readers think, coming across yet another opinion column among the multitude? Does he/she need more advice, interpretation, or ’translation,' to better understand the events that impact us?”

I hear you, and understand the question. The short answer is: “No, you don’t.”

But don’t leave just yet. Let’s discuss this, as an introduction.

Although you don’t “need” it, you may grow to appreciate the perspective provided herein. My goal with this column is to take the broader issues that affect us and discuss them in a rational—and as best we can, objective—way, to look at the how, what, and why behind the news, and to recognize where we are as a nation and people, and what lies ahead.

As Americans, even with our differences, we are more alike than not. On a smaller, local scale, our lives share similarities: how we want the best for our kids and loved ones, how we appreciate the good things, respect the truth over a lie, and understand responsibility, and more.

I see our country as being in a time of change. And despite real difficulties, the time feels right to fundamentally examine what brought us to this stage, what role—positive or negative—our current institutions have played, and what responsibility we as individuals have to answer the question, “So, what do we do about it?”

The politician on the campaign trail and the television news commentator often paint a picture of a nation divided. Viewpoints are categorized as liberal or conservative, right or left, Republican or Democratic; you’re red state, he’s blue.

When one commentator describes something as liberal, it’s not a compliment. When another says conservative, it’s as if the word is being spit out in disgust.

It seems like trench warfare in some of these news circles, with front lines established, one side lobbing shells at the other, and no real progress. Sounds a little like the modern political culture, eh?

New Discourse

You and I know how it is, close to home. We share the same bleachers at high school basketball games; help out our neighbors in times of need, and even remember how it was to seal a deal on a handshake. We know the best things are found in the details of life, among family and friends. We know what it means to work hard for what you achieve, while maintaining dignity and respect for others.

We prefer diplomacy over fighting, and the power of a calm, rational voice over an emotional outburst. We value patience and sacrifice over intolerance and selfishness, and would rather sit down with a principled person we disagree with, than a person who changes direction with the wind.

And when we look around us and see the state of things, we realize that to get things done, we need a new approach; a new discourse. In re-establishing these things, we as a people will naturally redefine what we will accept from those who represent our interests.

Simple, timeless human traits are important to us, and this modern world demands that we rediscover common threads, and once again place value on the noblest of human qualities.

When the dust settles, it’s who we are, it’s what we really want, and it binds us together as a people. It is America.

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