What is an American? Today, as the 20th century — the so-called “American Century” — recedes in memory, the question can seem immodest or even grandiose. If we don’t know now, after decades wielding almost unimaginable superpower status around the globe, will we ever?
Still, there’s another way to look at it. The question arises anew because of the conflicted place in which the United States finds itself today.
With the national nervous breakdown unleashed by the 9/11 terrorist attacks — trauma Americans have collectively been unable to resolve — our identity remains a shambles. The uncertainty had been building for at least 30 years. In the aftermath of Abu Ghraib and AIG, once-settled matters of morality now appear unrecognizable.