The column was previously published in The Courier on January 14, 2021. It has been edited slightly.

Our generation has never had our courage and conviction tested in such frightening ways as we are experiencing right now. I don’t even recognize many of our fellow countrymen. Except for the outliers, I believe that no matter the differences of opinion, the basic truth we all have in common is our love of country and the importance of democracy. The quickest way for outsiders to split up friendships, an organization or even a nation is to divide and conquer. There’s no doubt that is what is occurring right now in the United States. Somehow, Americans have taken their eyes and focus off what is important and that in which we stand. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and jus-tice for all.” Indivisible. Undividable. Inseparable. United.

As children we are taught to pledge our loyalty to our flag and to the republic for which it stands. I wonder sometimes if we have forgotten what it means to be united. There’s no doubt that when you say something often it can lose its meaning. I think today’s society has forgotten the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. We are allowing outside forces to separate us through Internet trolls, cable news and our own ignorance and weakness. If it’s true that we are only as strong as our weakest link, we need to reinforce our bonds. Unfortunately, any fool can spout off or spread conspiracy theories, falsehoods or hateful rhetoric. In some cases, they are even making money doing it. Social media has provided an opportunity to create a large audience or following. It’s like anything else, if not used for good, it’s detrimental. It’s all the more reason that we need to be mentally strong and autonomous thinkers.

The need for media literacy and how to converse with others who have a differing opinion has never been more important to be taught in schools if our nation is to survive in the future. What we feed our minds is just as important as the nourishment we feed our bodies. Listening or reading too much negativity changes us. We become eager to accept any bit of information that agrees with the ideology we have come to believe. It’s called confirmation bias. And if we only hang around like minded people whether online or in person, we have a pretty narrow perspective. The trouble with that is if we all think the same thing; no one is critically thinking. It’s the exchange of ideas that fosters problem solving and growth. We can’t allow ourselves to become sheep who listen to suggestions or statements and because it fits with our mindset, bob our heads up and down muttering, “Yep. Yep. That’s right.” and then foolishly allow the message to make us angry before we have investigated the issue ourselves. It’s like someone telling us a piece of gossip about another person and allowing that gossip to taint our mindset about that person without fact checking and to make matters even worse, spread the information. Somehow, we have got to break the lazy habit of believing that just because something is said it must be true. It doesn’t matter which cable news network we watch; a steady diet of any message can be harmful if it’s not the truth. It becomes an indoctrination as Americans sit in their chairs in their homes and listen to a message looped over and over. It can become addictive. We become wired to that way of thinking. I believe it’s the cause of much of the anger Americans feel. We’ve been told we should be angry. Citizens have been riled up into a frenzy. A weak mind can be easily convinced of anything. False prophets, fame-seeking preachers or politicians know this as they convince the masses how they should feel and then make money off poor unsuspecting people while they live in mansions and live the high life. They suck off the teat of the people. The one thing an education does, if it’s a good institution, whether K-12 or higher education, is to teach people how to think for themselves and to recognize conspiracies and false-hoods. Right now, education is under attack because those in power do not want an intelligent people. They want to indoctrinate. Tabloid magazines have survived for years because there is a base of people who are easily led to believe fabrications. Meanwhile, how easy it is for enemies to sweep in and destroy what we value while we are distracted with infighting. Our focus is being diverted from our values. We are being tested while our country is being torn apart from the inside.

It’s imperative that we remain focused on our principles. Although we may not recognize our country or some of its people right now, I choose to believe that at the heart of things we are the same Americans who value honor and integrity. It’s going to take fortitude in the coming days and perhaps years as we refocus on our pledge to our republic to remain indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. It’s more important than ever that Americans stand together, indivisible, to face the future and what may come.

Pam Lowe is the editor of the Clay County Courier. Readers may contact her at plowe@cherryroad.com