Jake Tapper just claimed Trump has offended every single group "from Muslims to Hispanics." One group he hasn't offended: AMERICANS.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) May 4, 2016
Like many of us, I went through school being taught that America was a “melting pot,” a vast melange of colors, creeds, religions, and ethnicities. The idea was that our differences- the diversity of human experience- was what made America strong. America, I was taught, wasn’t a country founded by and for White Christians; it was a place where one’s ability to achieve was limited only by one’s initiative and capacity for hard work. ANYONE could succeed; all they had to do was have an original, useful idea and the willingness to see it through. This was the bedrock, the very foundation of the American Dream.
Success didn’t always come based on this theory, but the American Dream has always been predicated on the idea that hard work and ingenuity respected no barriers based on skin color, religion…or any other artificial dividing line. Truth be told, the reality has always been somewhat different, and the current debate over “White privilege” offers some insight into that, but (White) Americans have internalized the (not always accurate) belief that the American Dream was available to anyone willing to keep their nose to the grindstone. Of course, if that nose was White…well, it would certainly help open doors.
This country’s history is replete with examples of those considered “less than” by the majority and denied opportunities those in the White majority took as their birthright. While that majority maintained the self-serving belief that they succeeded because they simply outworked everyone else, the reality was often very different. Whether it was the Chinese, African-Americans, Irish, Muslims (today’s bogeyman), or any number of other minority ethnic groups, the success of the White majority has often come at the expense of marginalized classes.
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
- Martin Niemöller, First They Came
America has always been a country willing to embrace the illusion of equality, even though the reality very often in no way reflects that illusion. It’s a fact of life that these days is impossible to miss. All one need do is observe the tone and tenor of the 2016 Presidential race- specifically, among Republicans- to discern that appeals aren’t being made to unity, but rather to a generalized fear of The Other.
When you hear those on the Far Right refer to “Americans,” you can be fairly certain they’re referring to White folks like themselves. Unfortunately for them, as the White majority continues slidingly inexorably towards minority status, America isn’t the property and playground of Caucasians. Thought the Far Right is heavily invested in portraying White America as under siege, the truth is nothing of the sort. We still live in a social and legal system geared to benefit Whites over all other classes. That doesn’t mean those not fortunate enough to be born White aren’t as Americans or as worthy of the rights and benefits that accrue to those who consider themselves “real” Americans.”
It does mean that here in the 21st century, skin color, ethnicity, and religious faith are still used to separate us one from another. Come November, we have an opportunity to decide what we want America to be. Do we want it to be a place that welcomes anyone willing to be a net contributor by working hard, paying taxes, and following the law? Or will America accept racism and bigotry as the norm and become a net detractor, discriminating against others based on things like race, religion, skin color, sexual identity, etc.?
It’s our choice. What’s it going to be, America?
