The Equalizer
Mandatory National Service
Like Europe, the US leans towards Multiculturalism rather than the historical melting pot, which aimed at one primary culture in a heterogeneous society. This “curdling” of cultures divides us rather than unites us as a single nation — the melting pot ideology of the past collides with today’s woke culture and trendy Multiculturalism. The concept of Multiculturalism is idealistic; all cultures are beautiful, and none is superior. This concept creates parallel societies within society at large.
At one time, nations were confined to their geographical borders and thus maintained a single dominant culture among the homogeneous population. Multiculturalism by itself causes the fracturing of communities and creates self-imposed segregation and conflict for shared resources. Therefore, there is a need to attempt to homogenize society while retaining certain aspects of each group’s identity while balancing certain cultural elements into a single primary culture.
The United States is unique among nations founded on an idea rather than nationalism. The idea that a diverse group of citizens working towards a common goal of making our country stronger (E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one). Over the past 240 or so years, one could consider the American experiment somewhat of a success. However, lately, it seems to be tearing society at the seams. Diverse groups based on religion, color, ethnicity, and politics are at each other’s throats. The fear is that this may lead to a civil war since we have reached an apparent political stalemate.
How does one overcome this fracturing of our society? There is no instant solution.
Mandatory National service by all young people between the ages of 16–18 seems to be the first step. By mixing all kids from various backgrounds over the summer, the fear of the unknown and the implicit biases should diminish with time. A mandatory summer camp would remove kids from their current environment and would disperse them across the country. The “mixing bowl” camp would act as a mini military with discipline and rules but no weapons. The one-month (or two) experience would challenge them physically and mentally, but, in particular, the summer camp would introduce them to teamwork. Teamwork will emphasize the dependency on each other.
The first summer would be a training camp that instills discipline into the young, the equivalent of basic training in the military. Aside from the responsibility, the first summer will teach civic duties, teamwork, and essential skills to help the kids in the future. The second summer camp would be to carry out specific services such as disaster relief, environmental service in sanitation, or repairs/remodeling, such as gardening, painting, and so forth, in depressed areas.
The goal of this National Service, specifically mixing kids of all backgrounds and giving them a sense that they are part of this nation and an integral part of the nation’s future.
The concept of National Service is the only way to bring about a “mixing bowl “where barriers caused by lack of familiarization should dissolve in due time.
After high school and summers of national service, the kids will have the option of volunteering to serve for one or two years on more focused and skill-matched (based on aptitude) assignments that fall under National Service. Military service, at that point, could count towards a National Service if so desired. National Service can cover many tasks, such as kindergarten assistance, park maintenance, farm work, disaster relief, software development for the government, etc. This opportunity may be a stepping stone to semi-vocational training for the future. Those who graduate with honor may qualify for some financial help to their college or vocational school choice.
Keeping kids away from home and their friends devoid of the electronic devices that run their lives will help to cement the human relationships that will make society a better place for us all. Their service will help the community to be more cohesive with a strong sense of civic duty as its goal.
The above rough outline of the National Service vision is the primary thought. Other variations on the theme and improvements thereof will evolve during the planning stages. Under all cases, the goal of mixing kids from various backgrounds for a month at a time, away from their natural environment, would reduce the animosity between groups as they gain trust in each other. Furthermore, the shared experience would instill an enhanced focus on achieving discipline, responsibility, and a better view of the future.
National Service beyond the mandatory first two summers would be for more select groups that wish to earn some financial support for their college years. Their service would be tutoring students, helping in disaster relief, and other tasks that would benefit society. Not all jobs will be near their home but instead distributed across the nation on a need basis.
If we are to have a better future, we must get along as a single society. Early exposure to others outside of one’s comfort zone would make young people more accepting the others. Together we are more robust, and we must learn to respect each other and embrace our differences of thought. As a nation, we should strive towards a single dominant culture which in due time would include various aspects of the many original cultures that make us one country.
GAB