Two decades ago, I was advised to stop flying because of ear problems. Over time, I’ve come to see this advice as somewhat of a blessing for multiple reasons.
Since then, I’ve traveled across the U.S. via train numerous times. It’s interesting—this train often carries a mix of people from diverse economic backgrounds. Honestly, I feel these folks, men, women, and children, are often more informed than many of the so-called intellectuals residing in the elitist bubbles of Washington, D.C., and New York City, crafting policies that affect the working class.
Connecting with such genuine individuals is the highlight of my long-distance journeys. Coming from a background of poverty and experiences with homelessness, these trips remind me of the resilience and character of everyday Americans while also serving as a stark reminder of their daily struggles.
The once vibrant small towns and communities have faded into memory. We used to see bustling storefronts, busy streets; now, they’re often just ghost towns with vacant shops, long-lost dreams, and dwindling hopes for a better future. What happened to those places that were once the epitome of “Americana,” where minority communities thrived?
As the train sped past boarded-up shops and deserted streets, I couldn’t help but close my eyes and picture the towns in their prime. I imagined people filling public squares, enjoying local eateries, or cheering for high school teams playing against their rivals. But when I reopened my eyes, the devastation was still there.
“It’s progress,” many would dismiss. “Just that.”
But is it really progress? What’s the price we pay for it?
I believe that most in our nation’s power centers are oblivious to the existence of these towns and indifferent to the circumstances that led to their decline. Some may have even played a part, knowingly or unknowingly, in this so-called “inevitable progress” that has devastated small businesses and communities. Whether it’s a large retail chain, online shopping policies, or decision-making in D.C., the result is the same: vibrant small towns are vanishing.
Business has become harsher and more impersonal. Huge corporations often cut prices to outcompete smaller businesses, even those local “mom-and-pop” shops. This aggressive competition causes collateral damage to related small businesses, leading to bankruptcy and “closed” signs popping up everywhere.
This isn’t just nostalgia for the past, nor is it mere bloat. If the outcome resembles “Main Street” America from the 1950s, we’re facing a grim reality shaped by “inevitable progress.” Many small businesses and towns are in ruins, resulting in millions of lost jobs and disrupted lives, all while just trying to make ends meet.
There’s a lesson to be learned here. Where do we draw the line between relentless progress and the lives it disrupts? Who bears the responsibility for the decline of these towns and the sadness of those who once called them home? Is it easy to dismiss and think, “Not my problem?”
But what if it suddenly becomes your problem? What if “inevitable progress” puts your career or town in jeopardy?
The irony is that Karma doesn’t play favorites and can be unusually ironic. Soon, those businesses in urban areas and power centers that “shrugged it off” might find themselves on the chopping block due to the relentless march of technology, like AI and robotics.
When that day comes, the previous victims of this so-called “progress” might just ask, “Where were you when we needed help?” perhaps at soup kitchens, during support meetings, or in funeral homes.
“Inevitable progress” comes at an enormous cost—a cost no one can truly afford, not even those in their lofty positions above the fray making decisions without understanding the implications.
