LAC News
Snowmageddon 2010: A Lesson in Americanism
By Lindsey Douthit
February 2010

The madness began to set in on Friday morning. News reporters spoke of the “historical” snowstorm that was preparing to bury Washington, D.C., in 30 inches of snow. Individuals normally restrained by the unwritten D.C. cultural rule of “don’t show emotion in public” were visibly nervous and shaken as they scurried about the city. There were rumors of snow shovels being fought over like prized antiques at a garage sale and of grocery stores being depleted of toilet paper and milk before anyone could blink twice.

Then the snow began to fall -- and boy did it fall! It snowed heavily throughout the night, and the sight that met my sleepy eyes early Saturday morning looked like someone had dumped marshmallow fluff all over everything; streets, cars, buildings -- everything standing was completely blanketed in a white cloud.

News coverage throughout the day documented the difficulties that this snowstorm (dubbed “Snowmageddon”) posed for D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, and everyone living under the “great white powder puff.” Schools, churches, and government offices were all closed. The post office stopped delivering the mail, leaving room for sarcastic souls to crack, “Rain, sleet, or snow: Yeah right” jokes. People brave enough to venture outside walked freely through normally busy intersections, and power outages forced many residents to revert to candlelight and books instead of Blackberries and Ipods.

Besides making D.C. look like the inside of a souvenir snow globe, “Snowmageddon”also interestingly showcased what many of us working in Washington try to describe as “the values that we’re fighting for” to our loved ones back home. On Sunday, my friend Rebekah and I managed to trek through the snow to church, and it was fascinating to see people out and about after the storm had unofficially ended. People armed with shovels and puffy jackets -- and, from the sound of it, using muscles they hadn’t used in awhile --  were shovelling snow off of their cars and driveways. Neighbors were checking on neighbors, and volunteers were out trying to forge walkways through the smothered sidewalks.

I also saw a poster advertisement that said, “Shoveling snow stinks — call this number and I will shovel snow for you! For a reasonable price of course.” As well, a friend of mine informed me that “I Survived Snowmageddon 2010” T-shirts were selling like hotcakes at $24.99 a pop. The spirit of American entrepreneurship was alive and well, to be sure.

Overall, what I observed after the blizzard reminded me of the importance of individual responsibility and the generous spirit of my fellow Americans. Those two things go beautifully together, and I was fortunate enough to witness the partnership in action. While federally funded snowplows did work hard to clear major roads, there weren’t enough employees or machines to physically get all of the work done. Government served its purpose in clearing the highways, but people waiting for someone other than themselves, a kind neighbor, or a friend to shovel snow around their streets and homes were left waiting … and waiting.

But individual responsibility and generosity stepped in where the government couldn't. Men and women were out shoveling their driveways, and I saw groups of volunteers going to the homes of elderly or disabled individuals to help them out as well. It was a beautiful illustration of how, in all practicality, people can’t depend on the government to do everything for them. Thankfully we live in a country of hardworking, generous people, as was evidenced by the rows of neatly shoveled driveways around the city that belonged to both the physically strong and physically unable. If only, I thought, politicians would take this micro-example to heart when they try to pass legislation that puts government in charge and disregards the sense of individual responsibility and the giving nature of those whom they are entrusted to represent.

The picture of “Snowmageddon” is another practical, real-life scenario that showcases the American principles that make this country so great. Government serves a purpose, yes, but the country is successful when its people are allowed to exert personal responsibility and engage in acts of generosity that naturally flow from a responsible disposition.

In essence, although temperatures during “Snowmageddon” were frosty, the spirit of true Americanism was not.