The Red White and Blue

Back in Chicago, there were a few times when I would sit tirelessly at the Southbound Cermak bus-stop heading to China Town.  During one of my long waits, someone asked me to sing the Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem.  There is a sad and amusing element to this story.  The amusing: whenever I attempt to sing this song, my brain always flashes back to Asher Levy School, 2nd Grade, Mr. Janover’s class (R.I.P).  I remember standing ever so diligently with my right arm crossed over the left side of my chest, singing along with our Assistant Principle and pausing at, “the free”, where she would take the “e” note as high as possible and of course, receive cheers.  The sad part, today, I cannot remember the words for the life of me.

I know what you’re thinking — how could I forget.  Well, I stopped reciting the pledge and singing the song a long time ago, way before 9/11 (when principals and state leaders officially approved optional participation).  But if it counts for anything, if the next generation includes a growing number of millennials like me, one who cannot remember the words to our national anthem, then maybe it has to do with the Fall of America.  Francis Fukuyama eloquently articulates his ideas on the brand-image of America, citing from historical facts and comparing them with current political events.  The country that once waved the flag of democracy and knighted as champions of capitalism is now seen as evil and power hungry.  Although the country’s brand image is currently demolishing faster than ever, Fukuyama is confident that the way America is portrayed and understood around the world will eventually be restored.  I just hope that they who run this country will stop pushing the envelope to the edge and take a better glimpse at the world.  Make your vote count November 4th.

Kudos to Social Media.  Probably once frowned upon by my mother as the sole reason of my computer occupancy to surf the web (and forcing her off the phoneline!), Social Media has become the main channel for young, growing and emerging voters, to get involved.  We see it all over the web from Leonardo DiCaprio’ & Co’s Don’t Vote video to David Letterman’s Reaction to John McCain skipping out on his show (which received nearly 3 million views on YouTube).  But the fascinating aspect of interactive political social media is the level of creativity from us, the people.  We are looking at sites like The Contrarian ,an interesting website urging readers to compare media sources and the way stories are framed, or ideas like that of Democreated Brand.  Democreated Brand: the first brand in history -owned- by the people.  Surely this is a test of Democracy, as Fukuyama would describe as, [one of] America’s fundamental ideas, globally dominating the world.  Anyone who contributes to the building of this brand will receive a share of it (if it succeeds, you get a return).  I think the outcome of Democreated will be interesting - it could be huge.  We already saw what could happen if Left and Right came together - now imagine that, but around the world.