Cliff’s Take: Pausing To Reflect
This is Memorial Day weekend. Truly a transitional point of the year. This is historically the time when public pools and amusement parks open, families fire up their grills for the first time; and summer becomes more of a reality than a distant hope.
It is also a day to give thanks to the more than 1 million Americans who gave their lives in service since the start of the Civil War. This weekend is a time to reflect and recognize but also to begin anew.
There is much cause for optimism. We find ourselves in a markedly different place than last year. COVID is receding, Americans are making plans to travel and get out more than they did during the pandemic. Many of those who were working remotely are also thinking about a return to the office.
Yet there are sobering undercurrents. As we reflect on the courage of our fallen, let’s also not forget the broader context. The perennial cleavages that divide us still exist – race, immigration, and social inequality. Glass half empty or half full?
Below I detail the most relevant data points of the week.
- Aging out. America is changing. Fewer people now have military service. Just 7% of the adult US population was a veteran as of 2018, a drop of more than half from 18% in 1980, according to the US Census Bureau. At the same time, the number on active duty is also declining. But we know that in the future, our military will look more diverse, younger, and include more women – reflecting some of the broader demographic changes that will occur over the next several decades.
- Wars by half. Remember that more than one million Americans have died in military service since 1861. Today, the COVID death toll is approaching 600,000. We too have been at war—not a kinetic one but viral. The ripple effect of the pandemic is broad and deep. Total war against a silent enemy.
- Summer plans. Little by little, we’re moving out of the pandemic. Americans are making plans to get out and about. Memorial Day kicks off a more expansive and social summer than last. Glimmers of hope.
- Somewhere in between. America is venturing out. Most businesses are in open reflection on their “back to work policy.” Where do Americans stand on this? Well, all over the place. Look at the data. COVID has changed our calculus.
- Divided Nation. Race is our perennial cleavage. The data speaks for itself—Look at the difference in opinion between Black Americans and Republican whites on the need to press for continued change to give Black Americans equal rights. Need I say more.
Again, have a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. And as always, be safe, and be sane.
For more information, please contact:
Clifford Young
President, U.S.
Public Affairs
+1 202 420-2016
[email protected]
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