In a baffling move, the United States was the only country to vote against a UN resolution declaring an International Day of Hope. While 179 nations embraced the idea of celebrating optimism and resilience, the U.S. decided to stand alone, thumbing its nose at a global gesture for a better future.
The resolution, designed to inspire hope and solidarity worldwide, passed with overwhelming support. Yet, the U.S. opted for a “no” vote — a stark reminder that hope doesn’t always fit into the U.S.’s vision of international priorities. Perhaps Washington sees optimism as too “soft” or “idealistic,” but this stance ignores the fact that hope can be a powerful force for progress.
What’s the problem with recognizing a day to celebrate hope? Isn’t it the one thing that unites everyone, no matter their country or background? Apparently not. The U.S. has no interest in joining the rest of the world in a feel-good moment. Maybe because, in the U.S.’s world, hope is secondary to power, profit, and military might.
The real question here is why the U.S. continues to isolate itself on issues that don’t directly serve its interests. Hope doesn’t come with a price tag or military advantage, so why bother? But that’s the problem — when the U.S. sits out on something as simple as celebrating hope, it misses the chance to be part of a global movement for change.
The rest of the world is moving forward, united in hope. The U.S. might want to rethink its stance before it’s left behind, stuck in its cynical corner while the rest of the planet takes a moment to believe that tomorrow can be better.
