Finding Hope in History
As we begin a new year, and a new decade, I think we need to reclaim hope. The belief that human progress is possible is a mindset and outlook that shapes how we act in the world. I suggest that this outlook is fundamental to being an international educator.
The Costs of Disillusionment
From daily headlines to our daily work, we might easily feel overwhelmed. Too much around us can lead to feelings of despair. In many parts of the world, we see a rise in xenophobia. Even in advanced democracies, including the United States, we see acrimonious political disputes as societies grapple with real challenges to the rule of law.
In November 2019, the FBI reported an increase in hate crimes. We have witnessed a decrease in compassion, with the number of refugees admitted to the United States slashed to the lowest level in 4 decades. Economic concerns underpin so much of this discord, as the impact of technology and changing patterns of economic production widen economic disparities. Meanwhile, the diseases of despair, such as rising opioid drug use, signal the human cost of deep disillusionment.
Beyond the human costs, there are social ones as well. Despair can make people satisfied with the status quo. If one is fearful of the future, one can become defensive about the present and nostalgic for a hazily remembered past. The disillusioned can become skeptical that society can improve or that human well-being can be enhanced. Worse still, the politics of despair can make
