“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” wrote Charles Dickens at the outset of his classic 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities. As America navigates the alleyways of a consequential election and the pathways of its aftermath, pulling out the novel’s full opening passage adds a layer of relevant wisdom.

The novel opens as follows: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

The words aptly describe the current complexion of America.

Read More:

From sea to shining sea, the face of America is still beautiful, but of late her amber waves of grain have yielded a crop of strain. This election and the days that follow give individual Americans more than a choice in only selecting candidates. What they are granted is an empowering vote to decide on the type of person they aim to be in the midst of voices of disdain.

Character has indeed been on the ballot, but the most important character rests within the one who holds the pen, not merely the candidate’s name neatly printed on paper next to the unchecked box. The gift of self-assessment is an inalienable right to exercise in the private polling booth within the walls of oneself. Therein stirs our greatest human strength and potential, and also our weaknesses and fears.

As one seeks character guidance on what personal direction to sustain or to forge a fresh path, I am reminded of what Dr. Martin Luther King said while enveloped by tumultuous civil rights movement. He said, “returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.” He added, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Looking at the US election, I merge this powerful concept advanced by Dr. King with the contrasting characteristics that hold societies back - dueling traits which Dickens eloquently drew out.

For the ideal of America to further advance rather than encounter a less perfect union as a result of hate and rancor, Americans must ask what words and actions of light and kindness they can individually contribute. When they hear a voice that recklessly speaks with the chill of incredulity, darkness, bigotry, and heartlessness, they should ask if that voice aligns with their own personal hopes, values, and character. We would be naive if we did not recognize that in some cases divisive tones and intolerance sync with certain people and motivate particular groups. However, while they can be loud and forceful, those people and entities represent far less than a majority of Americans.

The vast majority of Americans believe in goodness, honesty, respect, and decency. America is still a beacon of opportunity, a place where people look out for one another. The onus of an election must be to hold political figures accountable for their words, and it must serve to generate substantive policy ideas. Ultimately, a voter has a deeper duty - a responsibility to honestly hold themselves accountable to the personal values they espouse, especially if those values prioritise human dignity. To explain away a campaign of divisiveness and malice for political expediency or power is to shroud oneself in the cape of hypocrisy.

In the end, Americans should ask themselves if, in fact, these are the best of times, the worst of times, then which side of the ledger of seasons do they as individual human-beings wish to lend their own shoulder to push forward? Which box do they check, the box of despair or hope? Those answers are best found within us. And while we all harbour doubt, I know there is nothing more powerful to the health of the human soul and the longevity of a nation than to elect hope.

Ian Houston is a regular writer for the Herald. He has spent his career as an advocate for diplomacy, trade, poverty alleviation, and intercultural dialogue. He promotes commercial, educational, artistic, and charitable linkages between Scotland, UK, and the US. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of the West of Scotland. He is located in the Washington, DC area. His views are his own.