Amidst the backdrop of increasing societal divisions in the United States, a new initiative from Michigan seeks to foster unity and understanding. This campaign has designated the second Saturday of December as National Unity Day, encouraging citizens to engage in activities that symbolize togetherness.
The organizers of National Unity Day suggest simple acts like wearing purple—a blend of red and blue—to signify unity, taking a unity pledge, or hosting a neighborhood food drive.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who is also a Democratic candidate for Michigan governor in 2026, is one of the key figures backing this initiative. Swanson, known for his participation in a protest following the death of George Floyd in 2020, joined demonstrators to express solidarity and has since been a proponent of strengthening community bonds.
Swanson acknowledges the prevalent concerns regarding societal anger and violence but remains optimistic. He shared, “It’s hard to look at all of this without asking the questions ‘What’s next? How much can we take? Is there any hope?’” He confidently answers, “And the answer is….yes there’s hope.”
Co-founder of US-United, Adam Mizel, also champions the initiative, challenging the notion that Americans are fundamentally divided. Mizel states, “We’re not as divided as is portrayed by so many of our leaders and by so much of what we hear…whether media, social media, we’re not….Americans don’t believe it.”
Despite these hopeful messages, recent surveys indicate a widespread perception of deep divisions within the U.S., with concerns about political violence and the state of democracy being particularly pronounced.
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