The American bald eagle has taken its first flight in a decade from a newly restored nest in the Great Lakes region. The event is being hailed as a triumph of conservation and a symbol of the nation’s ecological recovery. But as the eagle soared, millions of Americans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living.
The restoration of the eagle’s habitat, funded by tax dollars and private donations, comes as workers in the same region face wage stagnation and soaring rents. The eagle’s freedom to hunt and nest stands in stark contrast to the constraints on ordinary people. For many, the symbol of national recovery feels distant when their own recovery from the pandemic remains incomplete.
The return of the eagle is a potent image: majestic, free, and healthy. But for the people of the industrial North, it’s a reminder that not all recoveries are created equal. The question remains: when will the real economy take flight?
