Imagining a Better World by Connecting Micro with Macro: C. Wright Mills and the Generational Response to Gaza
When C. Wright Mills wrote The Sociological Imagination, the world was very different, yet much of what he had to say then continues to be valid today. As it’s described by Mills, the sociological imagination is the ability acquired, through studying the milieu of history, social trends, and economic realities, to see the connections between an individual’s experiences (biography) and the greater tide of social forces (history). This lets one understand how their own lives and personal history are influenced by the historical context in which their own development took place. As such, we can see how major events such as economic recessions, wars, technological developments or movements for social justice can impact people personally – and by grasping this, we can make connections between our own lives and the world around us, and hopefully act accordingly. (Mills 1959)
This connection works in both directions, I would argue – by studying the way the world can affect us, we increase the effectiveness of our own actions on changing the world and the course of history from the grass roots, if we so choose. Though personal troubles are local and immediate, such as student debt or lack of employment, they are set in the framework of wider public issues, such as general economic conditions, or political decisions made in decades past. In this light, we can act appropriately to better our own circumstances and, through personal and public actions, hopefully better the circumstances locally and globally.
In addition to providing the context for the personal situation one might find themselves in, the sociological imagination can help explain why people from different backgrounds or life experiences respond differently to the same historical events or personal experiences. One example of this in current events is the ongoing military conflict in Gaza. While there has been nearly universal condemnation of the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, especially where it concerns the death of civilians, there have been greatly mixed reactions to the historical context in which that attack took place, and to the ensuing military response Israel has taken since then. While these may fall along political lines, they also demonstrate a steep generational divide. The extreme human suffering in Gaza has engendered rejection of the status quo in the youth, similar to the Vietnam war for the Baby Boomers. But while some Boomers who were politically active in those times do see the connections to these events and are called to protest, others are still reacting in support of an ally who they traditionally see as an underdog defending itself from outside aggression; the reactions of the elders and youth correspondingly generally reflect the political conditions when these generations came of age. (Collins et al. 2024)
Young people under 45, who are exposed to media outside the mainstream and who have a much different experience of Israel’s actions over their formative years, are much less likely to voice support for Israel (48%), compared to the 78% for those who are 45 or older. (Rivers et al. 2024) While these events may seem like distant or personally disconnected to many, for others, such as those who have immigrated from Palestine or have friends or family there, it’s very personal – and the greater context of history from their perspective is informing their reactions and decisions, even those to risk arrest or expulsion as a result of protesting on their campuses. Even if they have no direct connection to Palestine, many feel as if they have no choice but to protest, seeing a world in which such atrocities are permitted as a much worse place for all people, regardless of ethnicity. (Harb 2024)
One thing that Mills said that I believe brings a special insight to these seemingly distant events is “that Americans have not known such catastrophic changes as have the men and women of other societies is due to historical facts that are now quickly becoming ‘merely history.’ The history that now affects every individual is world history.” (Mills 1959:1) To me this shows Mills’ understanding and message of the interconnectedness of historical events, domestically and abroad, to the course of our lives and the way we go about them. Also, our shared experience as humans eventually transcends even borders and oceans. Hopefully through understanding this premise and by empathizing with those who have different experiences, we can understand each other and communicate and coordinate more effectively in making the world a better place.
References
Collins, M. et al. 2024. “Views on Gaza war differ by generation. What does that mean for Biden?” USA Today, March 5. Retrieved July 22, 2024. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/05/gaza-israel-war-generational-differences/72773287007/)
Rivers, M. et al. 2024. “When it comes to the Israel-Gaza war, the split in opinion is generational” NPR, June 13. Retrieved July 22, 2024. (https://www.npr.org/2024/06/13/1198912628/gaza-israel-war-generational-divide-biden-support-ceasefire-hamas-protests)
Harb, A. 2024. “Generation gap: what student protests say about US politics, Israel support.” Al Jazeera, April 26. Retrieved July 22, 2024. (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/26/generation-gap-what-student-protests-say-about-us-politics-israel-support)
Mills, C. W. 1959. The Sociological Imagination: The Promise. New York: Oxford University Press. (http://www.csun.edu/~hbsoc126/soc1/The%20Promise.pdf)
