July 1, 2022
This July 4th, Americans want unity
More in Common US
Summary: Americans feel concerned and uncertain about the future of the country but, despite deep political divisions, share a desire to achieve unity.
This has been an intense two-week period. Amidst on-going economic volatility and war in Europe, the Supreme Court issued a series of major rulings on reproductive rights, guns, and environmental regulation, and the January 6th hearings brought testimony on Presidential conduct in a manner not seen since Watergate. These issues have likely dominated the news and conversations for the most politically engaged.
At the same time, for millions of Americans, the past two weeks have centered on high school graduation and the start of summer. For many, this Fourth of July will be filled with calls to political action, while, for others, the holiday will be a chance to leave politics behind. Whatever one is feeling, the Fourth of July is a holiday imbued with deep cultural significance in America and is an opportunity to step back and consider the state of our nation.
The majority of Americans see the country moving in the wrong direction.
Americans also see the nation as far from its ideal state.
“I’m not sleeping well these days because of how unstable the country and the world is lately. I don’t see people in charge having a plan or a clue how to fix or manage this chaos.”
💬 Xavier, Age 65+, Asian male, Disengaged, Wisconsin
Yet, Americans still share a strong sense of identity and desire to make the country better.
Most Americans say their American identity is important to them (76%). This is true for Americans across party affiliation, race, gender, geography, and age.
Americans also share a desire to see the country more united.
“I would like to see America embrace everyone as a person of value, regardless of their choices, experiences, or incomes. We don’t have to agree with everybody. Get rid of the ‘us vs. them’ mentality—make it just ‘us.’”
💬 Billie, Age 55-64, White female, Moderate, Indiana
“I would like to see an America where politicians, business leaders, non-profits, and the media focus on uniting Americans rather than dividing them along political and ideological lines.”
💬 Jeanne, Age 65+, Black female, Traditional Conservative, California
Recommendations
👉 Take a moment to pause. The Fourth of July presents an opportunity for Americans to slow down and check in with immediate friends and family. Ask them how they are doing. Give them the space to process emotions by listening actively. Celebrate together, if you can.
👉 Lift up personal stories. Although the Fourth of July typically evokes stories of national history, we find that personal stories about family history are a more powerful way to break through “us vs. them” narratives. We can celebrate our common national identity by asking about and sharing our family stories, where our research has revealed important threads of commonality. At a time of intense polarization, personal stories are also a more effective way to raise and talk about divergent American experiences.