Integrity: A Once-Cherished Quality Now Lost in America?
Integrity. It’s one of those words that used to evoke images of upright, moral, and honest characters from history books. It was something to be aspired to, something we believed our leaders and institutions held as a foundational principle. Fast forward to today, and the very term seems like a sarcastic joke. Integrity? In the age of clickbait journalism, where news stories sound more like scripts for reality TV? And let’s not even get started on our politicians.
But for those of you who’ve forgotten (and it’s understandable if you have), integrity is about being honest, having strong moral principles, and above all, being consistent with these principles in all actions. That’s the textbook definition, anyway. The practical definition in America today might need some, well, “revising”.
Once upon a time, politicians, regardless of their party, would have a certain measure of accountability. Do something wrong, face the music. Say something false, and expect to get called out, not just by the opposing side, but by your own as well. Good old times, right? Yet today, politicians lying or bending the truth isn’t news – it’s expected. And when we expect it, and even worse, accept it, what message are we sending?
Take the handling of the U.S.-Mexico border situation. According to the ever-reliable Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans are giving the side-eye to the government’s response. Yet, how much of this is being echoed by our elected officials? Governor Greg Abbott, for instance, seems to be doing a stellar job of… not doing much, really. But hey, why prioritize the will of the people when there are donors to please? One can only imagine the challenging task of deciding whether to listen to the masses who elected you or the sweet whispers of special interest groups and deep pockets.
And speaking of whispering (or shouting, in most cases), our media isn’t faring much better. If integrity was a currency, most news outlets would be filing for bankruptcy. The essence of journalism used to be about presenting facts, unbiased and clear, leaving the judgment to the readers or viewers. Today, however, most “news” feels like an opinion piece, conveniently leaving out details that don’t fit a particular narrative or further a special interest group’s agenda.
It’s almost a talent, really, how skillfully some outlets can twist, turn, and contort a story to fit a particular angle. It’s as if they attended a Yoga class just for journalism. And while we’re being snarky, let’s remember that there was a time when “breaking news” meant something genuinely groundbreaking, not just the latest tweet or gaffe from a politician.
It’s disheartening to see the major issues facing our nation being eclipsed by the trivial. Forest fires of misinformation and distraction are being lit, and instead of putting them out, our leaders and media are handing over more matches. They seem to have a knack for focusing on the wrong issues, sidelining crucial matters that deserve our attention.
But let’s be fair. Not all politicians and media have lost their moral compass. There are those out there still holding onto their principles, trying to steer the ship right. The problem is, they’re becoming harder to find amidst the cacophony of sensationalism and deceit.
So, where does that leave us? Can we find our way back to a place of integrity? It starts with us demanding better. It starts with us holding our politicians and media accountable. It requires that we not just blindly share or believe something because it fits our preconceived notions. It demands critical thinking, open dialogue, and an unwavering commitment to truth.
America may have misplaced its integrity, but it’s not irretrievable. Let’s start looking, and more importantly, let’s start demanding that those in power and in the spotlight do the same. After all, if integrity becomes just another forgotten word in a dictionary, what does that say about our society’s future?