With the passing of President Reagan, the country mourns the loss of an accomplished political leader and cultural icon. Reagan is judged one of America’s greatest presidents, and there is much evidence to support this view. Yet, as someone who essentially grew up in the 1980s, I cannot help but recall the exacerbation of such social ills as urban violence, poverty and homelessness.

In the political climate of the 1980s, many Americans were taught to despise single, black mothers on welfare and embrace the free-spending yuppie as the pinnacle of success. Looking back, we see the gap separating the rich from the poor beginning to resemble the dark chasm it is today. Reagan is not singly responsible for these ongoing problems, but many of his economic policies facilitated a sharp increase in urban despair.

Ronald Reagan must be remembered for many things. For his courageous and dignified fight against a debilitating and sad disease, he earns my highest regard. But as a man responsible for the welfare of a great many people, we must not be afraid to shine light upon both his foreign policy victories and domestic shortcomings. When a president leaves us, we are afforded a special opportunity for reflection. Let this time be spent not in gilded reminiscence, but, rather, in careful meditation.

If Reagan is to be considered a truly great president, we should assume he would want from us nothing less.

Matthew David Deschaine, Auburn