Dr. James Finck, professor of history at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, discussed current political tensions through a historical lens.The March 2, 2023 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha was called to order by President Lewis Knisley. Rotarian Mitch Williams led the club in singing "God Bless America".
Rotarian Gerron Smith announced that sponsors are still needed for the Rotary Run 5K. Members are encouraged to help in recruiting sponsors. Sponsorship forms, as well as a list of existing sponsors, can be obtained by contacting Gerron. Pres. Lewis added that the club would be meeting for a photo-op at the Junior Livestock Show that afternoon, and that a treasurer is still critically needed for the 2022-2023 Board.
Rotarian of the Day Hank Ross introduced the speaker, Dr. James Finck. Dr. Finck is a professor of history at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma.
Dr. Finck stated that he is often asked the question, "how fragile is our democracy?" He says that his answer is "always no". He acknowledged that political division is worsening today, but historically, the United States has always struggled and come out better for it.
He explained that the early days of the nation were actually more divided than any other time. The U.S. was still an "experiment" in government. After Washington left the Presidency, the country immediately split into the Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties. At the time, each side earnestly believed that the other would bring about the end of the experiment, but it never happened.
Dr. Finck touched on several other periods of great division, including the nullification crisis of 1832, the Civil War (which he stressed was over "the peculiar institution of slavery"), racial segregation, the Great Depression and the Bonus Army, McCarthyism, the Vietnam War, the loss of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, and so on. Throughout all of these events, he said, "we were divided, and yet we survived."
He explained that the difference between the Founders' divisions and those of today was that they were capable of "disagreement without hatred". Nothing about our current political tensions are new. As a historian, he believes this, too, shall pass—"the experiment is not over yet."
Lunch provided by Rock Island Grill.