is america broken or has it always been this way?

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Alicia du Plessis (Freelance Journalist) author of Learning to Treat Myself Better 

“Broken” is a strong word. But, it seems to have become the only word American citizens, albeit begrudgingly, are left with to express the current social, political, and economic climate of their nation. “Born out of violent rebellion, America is a nation of great possibilities, accomplishments, opportunities, ironies, and hypocrisy,” explains Tony Aguilar from his latest book, Is America Broken or Has It Always Been This Way?. It addresses a question that many are asking, whether silently or aloud, to each other or themselves. 

But growth depends on asking better quality questions, and that is exactly what this book encourages with 13 chapters exploring various facets that influence and shape America, including culture, economics, politics, religion, race, immigration, crime, the news, and media, among others. It’s a statement about America’s identity, and her people’s place within a system that is faltering and failing them. 

Is America Broken or Has It Always Been This Way? invites readers to become more aware of America’s health and well-being, so to speak. Is it a nation teetering from one extreme to another, and as Tony asks, “What defines a broken nation?”. From institutions and systems failing to meet the population’s needs, political agendas, power plays, polarization, and more, it has become critical to realize that America is suffering, and importantly, “there is also a complacency about the nation’s resilience”, Tony explains. 

While most American citizens are against violence and “the various ‘isms’” as Tony describes in his book, these have nonetheless been woven into the very fabric of America. There is no shortage of examples that point to violent and sinister acts within American society; however, there is also no shortage of examples of benevolence and kindness, of a nation where its people have banded together, beating the odds during tough times. While it might be teetering between extremes of good and bad, it’s still a nation “whose aspirational ideals are worth fighting for”. Furthermore, “As the nation is in a battle about who it is, what it is, and who it is for, the question is which American characteristic shall emerge victorious”, explains Tony. 

Tony Aguilar is an American author born and raised in the South Bronx in New York City. He has over 30 years of experience in the public square as a community organizer, leader, advocate, public speaker, writer, and preacher. He is the host of a widely acclaimed podcast, The Aguilar Conversations: A Global Perspective, where he interviews and speaks with professionals from all over the world to inform listeners about global and current affairs beyond their borders. He also writes on his blog, the Aguilar Commentary.