“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men . . . are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Declaration of Independence, 1776
Those words have remained the guiding light of American and world democracies (as flawed as they are) for nearly 250 years. In a speech at Old North Church, Massachusetts native Michael Bloomberg accepted an award from a foundation dedicated to ensuring that “the ideals of this nation” continue to “light the way” tomorrow. He celebrated the fierce debates of the founders and every succeeding generation over how to apply those words and proposed that engaging in them “civilly, democratically, and peacefully” is “the essence of democracy, and the obligation of patriotism.”
Even as divided as we are today, and as close to insurrection as we’ve been, we are lucky to have the success and security that supports debate rather than armed conflict. Other democratic leaders have had to lead their nation into war. FDR labelled the Pearl Harbor attack “a day that will live in infamy” and detailed the danger “to the very life and safety of our nation.”
Among many inspirational moments during WWII, Winston Churchill noted that he and all the members of his government and nation had “nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Near the beginning of the pivotal Battle of Britain and the Blitz, in which England was bombed continuously for nearly 10 months, he stated that “Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty [so that in a thousand years, British citizens] will still say ‘this was their finest hour.’”
FDR and Churchill were defending “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and had no time for theoretical debates about how to apply those high ideals. In a recent TV interview, VolodymyrZelenskyy affirmed those same priorities. “We are defending the ability of a person to live in the modern world. We are defending the right to live. I never thought this right was so costly. These are human values, so that Russia doesn’t choose what we should do and how I’m exercising my rights. That right was given to me by God and my parents.”
Blunt in his criticism of NATO and the UN Security Council for their military inaction, yet grateful for the limited help Ukraine has received, he spoke to individuals as well their bureaucracies: “Stand in front of the mirror every day and ask yourself, ‘Were you able to do something or were you unable to do something?’ You will find the answer in the mirror to this question and to another question, ‘Who are you?’”
The interview’s editors suggested that Zelenskyy’s decision to stay in Ukraine to lead the resistance “saved Ukraine from immediate collapse.” Another high government official said, “He’s smart, he’s strong, he’s brave, and he’s a person who is self-made. Zelenskyy is not just the leader of our heroic nation, I think he’s the leader of the free world” because “Ukraine defends not just Ukraine, we defend all democracy.”
Americans throughout history have needed pure heroes and villains to inspire them to make sacrifices and endure hardships, even more so now in our era that celebrates the individual over the group. And there’s always the reality that today’s superhero may prove merely human with unforgivable flaws. (At one time, I saw Bill Cosby as extremely heroic in his comedy and social presence.)
But Bloomberg pointed out that in American and world history, “We can honor a person’s good deeds and be critical of their failings.” In my view, Zelenskyy hasn’t displayed his failings yet, while leading his country’s desperate fight, knowing that their fighters are “outnumbered tenfold. . . . We united as a nation, we fought for our existence and for survival; that’s the combined heroism of everyone, of the people, of the authorities, of the armed forces. We became a single fist.”
I believe that crises for adults, from mild to severe, reveal character more than build it. In the crucible of war, VolodymyrZelenskyy has revealed his character, at once steely-eyed and empathetic, angry and forgiving. “Overall, we’re not ready to give away our country. I think we’ve already given up a lot of lives.” It’s heartening to know that in the worst of times, people and their leaders can grow into their best and strongest selves.
Allen Woods is a freelance writer, author of the Revolutionary-era crime novel “The Sword and Scabbard,” and Greenfield resident. His column appears regularly on a Saturday. Comments are welcome here or at awoods2846@gmail.com.