As we begin another year, we are living in troubling times.
We face a panoply of complex issues. In foreign policy alone, there are challenging quandaries -- the Islamic State, Putin's Russia, Israel and the Palestinians, terrorism and the threat of cyber attacks -- not to mention the Obama administration's efforts to deal effectively with a rapidly rising China on climate change and other matters, find agreement with Iran on nuclear development, and improve relations with Cuba (which is actually more of a domestic politics issue). That's only a very partial listing.
At home, controversy still swirls around immigration, health care (including Arkansas's "private option"), race relations, and the federal budget deficit. And although economic indicators are mostly positive, and gas prices are plunging (though not everyone is happy about that), many Americans are still struggling and don't see sunshine on the horizon.
These are troubling factors. However, this nation has confronted and dealt with major challenges throughout its history. For a reminder of this, see the current film "Unbroken," based on Laura Hillenbrand's book on World War II and the life of Louis Zamperini.
What I find truly troubling as we enter 2015 is this, reported in a recent Associated Press-GfK national poll: "Americans don't feel much pressure to keep up with news and public issues anymore." Only 37 percent think it's very important to do so, down from a majority, 56 percent, in 1984. No less than 20 percent believe there is "no obligation at all" to be well informed. This trend is particularly prevalent among young Americans, even though 69 percent of the public believe it is easy to keep fully informed about news and public affairs.
There is broad recognition that voting is a civic obligation, but the percentage of those actually casting ballots is spiraling downward. In last November's elections, only 36 percent of the voting-eligible population voted, according to the U.S. Elections Project. In Arkansas, it was 40 percent.
Americans' sense of civic duty is waning. Participation in civic activities is declining across the board. Overall, the number of Americans who say civic duties are "very important" has fallen 13 points since 1984. There is one category counter to this trend, however, and that involves volunteerism. Today's young people are more likely than older generations to view community service as very important, certainly an encouraging sign. Many schools and colleges now have service learning projects.
Except for volunteering, however, those under 30 are less likely than their elders to see any civic obligations. I should note that among the students and young people I encounter, many are intent on being well informed and engaged in civic activity. Obviously, however, this is counter to the general trend.
The AP poll reports that 78 percent of Americans believe political issues over the last decade have become more complicated. The range and perplexity of issues facing the nation cited earlier demonstrates that point. All the more reason we need an involved and informed citizenry.
The decline in attention to news and public issues is especially ironic at a time when unprecedented amounts of information are readily available, and there's no shortage of attention to celebrity news and gossip.
These troubling times, laden with complex issues, call for knowledgeable citizens who are actively engaged in civic affairs -- locally, nationally, and internationally.
Where we are now seems a long way from John F. Kennedy's inspirational clarion call at his 1961 inaugural, challenging Americans to ask what they could do for their country.
I am also reminded of some especially relevant lines from another inaugural ceremony, when we heard Miller Williams, the Arkansas poet who died a few days ago, read his poem, "Of History and Hope," at the 1997 inauguration of President Clinton.
"We mean to be the people we meant to be, to keep on going where we meant to go ... who were many people coming together cannot become one people falling apart," Williams said.
And, tellingly, Williams said, we "cannot let ignorance spread itself like rot."
We have no room for ignorance or apathy. Those words should challenge us "to be the people we meant to be" as we deal with the complex issues of troubling times.
HOYT PURVIS IS A JOURNALISM AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PROFESSOR.
Commentary on 01/11/2015