We, the people, allowed all of this to happen. Since the beginning…the choice has been to take from those who seem most vulnerable and least capable of fighting back. Ask American Indians. Take, take and take some more. Sign treaties then break the agreements when convenient.
A minority of Americans chose differently. Abolitionists come to mind. Abraham Lincoln. Both Roosevelts.
The self perceived superiority of white people leads to blindness.
It’s very sad, but you are right. Americans are so limited in their view; they have no idea about the rest of the world. People in Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada are just as free as we are but also live better lives, no worries about healthcare, have more free time etc.
We have a horrible legacy of hate and racism that persists today, and now we are in the process of becoming a dictatorship.
Unfortunately, I'm not the only person who sees and has seen America without its fancy clothes. The reality of America came to me through reading history as a child. I was lucky that even though I went through the New York Public School system back in those days Teachers were hitting us with history that was not in the books! Their passion for the truth got me to read as much as I could about history. Back in those days it was hard because we did not have the Internet, but I did watch a ton of documentaries on PBS.
It made me angry at how Blacks were forced to work and be exploited and then not given their due. It made me even angrier how Asians were treated and exploited as well, It made me angry when now people of Latin descent are being treated as well. America has always had blood on its hands, how can you say we are "Free" when America massacred Native Americans for land?
I was lucky enough to travel outside the US and quickly noticed that the US is not the only "free' country in the world. To be honest, the places I traveled to were doing a lot better than the US. Even though here you are fed with constant propaganda about how we are the best in everything and sorry to say we are way behind the best. In many places like in Spain where my Father is from I have family members who work professional jobs, have time to go on a "Holiday" and even meet with friends at the cafe after work. Not only that have a nice car and live in a very nice house, while I lived in a shitty apt in the Bronx! It's no wonder why my Father's side of the family never wanted to come to America. They live better than we do!
Also just look at the world data and you can see that America is way off being the best. The ones leading the pack are socialist countries which are supposed to be the enemy! Perception is a tool to make you believe in anything when done correctly.
Like Public Enemy said back in the days "Don't Believe The Hype!"
Having seen the U.S. providing dictators in Central and South America with equipment and support while they disappeared their own citizens, it didn’t take genius to predict that our government would eventually begin to disappear people here. I remember being told by Guatemalans (and agreeing with them), “You have the most repressive government in the world. It just hasn’t turned on you yet.” Americans in general seem to have less self-awareness than rocks. Thanks for putting this out there, Walter!
I agree that it is disgraceful that people only start squealing when something negatively affects them. Everyone complaining and yelling that “someone needs to do something” have abandoned their personal responsibility. Our government was designed to be “of the people, for the people and BY THE PEOPLE”. It doesn’t work if we don’t feed it with our participation. We are all responsible and culpable for allowing the societal crimes of the past to become systemic and institutional. The only “someone” who can do anything effective about this is each of us. We don’t elect representatives for them to lead us. We must lead them. From 1933 through 1969, we elected presidents who, on the whole, did some great things for our country. As a result, we rested on our laurels and forgot that we must put in the work to preserve our democratic principles. We are paying for that now and it’s nothing we don’t deserve.
America's original sin, slavery. So just to be clear, the destruction of native peoples, slavery, and oppression…those aren't unique to America. The Brits, the French, European countries in general, have their share of sin as well. Not to mention Africa..and Australia too. Maybe instead of blaming the country we should lay the blame where it really belongs…with wealthy white people. The wealthy white people are a cancer that destroys every living thing it touches.
You are 💯% correct on this. That is why, as a Black man, of course I’ll be helping the resistance, but I will not lead it other than to give guidance on being seriously committed to preventing the rise of future fascism. We can never go back to the injustice that has been allowed to fester for almost 250 years.
Thank you for this detailed set of reasons why the fiction that we used to be better off is a fiction, not a reality. I was/am in the process of writing a piece in a similar vein.
I was raised on fascist lies. I rebelled and tried for something better. For a while, there was reason to feel optimistic, but now, I hear the same malignant lies I heard growing up, and they’re spreading like wildfire.
I learned this as a young child and have lived in it all my life. I was lucky enough to attend Quaker schools and learn about the history of oppression and genocide of so many nonwhite, nonchristian people. It is all of our shame that we have not insisted on betterment of our country. Now it’s come back to bite the beneficiaries too. The worst part is that the whiniest babies will not learn from this. They are incapable of self-awareness and critical thinking.
It’s true that America has Never Been Great and also true that We Could Be. Today, more than ever in history, more people accept people for who they are where they are and how they are and speak out while others may think that but are afraid to vote that. Communication is definitely not our long suit! When have we talked to rural people on a level they comprehend—“comprehend” being a word they don’t connect with but “understand” is. We don’t. Even middle class Americans don’t uplift the poor and underprivileged and undereducated. And if you have any doubts, those people vote and that’s one reason we are in this mess! We haven’t attended to our poor and undereducated-we’ve left it up to a dysfunctional governmental system while we fed out apathy. We are now in a turning point place that is painful for every American. We either reach out and bond or we don’t and we give up or give in. I may not like my neighbors but I can stand up for their rights as well as my own even when they can’t stand. Or won’t. I hope that makes a difference.
I don't like it but you are right. This article puts me in mind of a SNL skit about Trumps first presidential win. The white actors were all moaning about how this was the worst thing that could happen (Trump’s ele tion). And I think it was Chris Rock and Dave Chappell started laughing. Like the white people didn't have a clue about the worse. And we didn't. Maybe now.
Reading textbook history in school means you read lots of propaganda. I stand by a concept of our country as a late adolescent nation.We are the poster child of white supremacy- particularly male supremacy. We take and call it strength. Our weakness is self-inflicted and then used punitively. Superficial, greedy, and more. Many of us hoped we were finally learning and growing. It appears that the cowardly braggadocious mass prefers another century as they cling to an unworkable future
Well said, Walter! Take the blinders off, indeed!
We, the people, allowed all of this to happen. Since the beginning…the choice has been to take from those who seem most vulnerable and least capable of fighting back. Ask American Indians. Take, take and take some more. Sign treaties then break the agreements when convenient.
A minority of Americans chose differently. Abolitionists come to mind. Abraham Lincoln. Both Roosevelts.
The self perceived superiority of white people leads to blindness.
It’s very sad, but you are right. Americans are so limited in their view; they have no idea about the rest of the world. People in Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada are just as free as we are but also live better lives, no worries about healthcare, have more free time etc.
We have a horrible legacy of hate and racism that persists today, and now we are in the process of becoming a dictatorship.
We didn’t make it to our 250th birthday.
Unfortunately, I'm not the only person who sees and has seen America without its fancy clothes. The reality of America came to me through reading history as a child. I was lucky that even though I went through the New York Public School system back in those days Teachers were hitting us with history that was not in the books! Their passion for the truth got me to read as much as I could about history. Back in those days it was hard because we did not have the Internet, but I did watch a ton of documentaries on PBS.
It made me angry at how Blacks were forced to work and be exploited and then not given their due. It made me even angrier how Asians were treated and exploited as well, It made me angry when now people of Latin descent are being treated as well. America has always had blood on its hands, how can you say we are "Free" when America massacred Native Americans for land?
I was lucky enough to travel outside the US and quickly noticed that the US is not the only "free' country in the world. To be honest, the places I traveled to were doing a lot better than the US. Even though here you are fed with constant propaganda about how we are the best in everything and sorry to say we are way behind the best. In many places like in Spain where my Father is from I have family members who work professional jobs, have time to go on a "Holiday" and even meet with friends at the cafe after work. Not only that have a nice car and live in a very nice house, while I lived in a shitty apt in the Bronx! It's no wonder why my Father's side of the family never wanted to come to America. They live better than we do!
Also just look at the world data and you can see that America is way off being the best. The ones leading the pack are socialist countries which are supposed to be the enemy! Perception is a tool to make you believe in anything when done correctly.
Like Public Enemy said back in the days "Don't Believe The Hype!"
Every single word is true.
The truth hurts sometimes. But it's still the truth. 😬
Yes.
Man, you have a beautiful mind. It’s gonna take all of us.🇺🇸👍♥️
Thank you Lisa!
The truth hurts.
This country still has possibilities, however. We have to work for them.
Having seen the U.S. providing dictators in Central and South America with equipment and support while they disappeared their own citizens, it didn’t take genius to predict that our government would eventually begin to disappear people here. I remember being told by Guatemalans (and agreeing with them), “You have the most repressive government in the world. It just hasn’t turned on you yet.” Americans in general seem to have less self-awareness than rocks. Thanks for putting this out there, Walter!
A movie by Costa-Gavras about one Nixon/CIA-backed coup:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084335/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Wondered why Russian military vehicles have been daubed with a letter Z? Is it an ironic nod to another Costa-Gavras film?
I agree that it is disgraceful that people only start squealing when something negatively affects them. Everyone complaining and yelling that “someone needs to do something” have abandoned their personal responsibility. Our government was designed to be “of the people, for the people and BY THE PEOPLE”. It doesn’t work if we don’t feed it with our participation. We are all responsible and culpable for allowing the societal crimes of the past to become systemic and institutional. The only “someone” who can do anything effective about this is each of us. We don’t elect representatives for them to lead us. We must lead them. From 1933 through 1969, we elected presidents who, on the whole, did some great things for our country. As a result, we rested on our laurels and forgot that we must put in the work to preserve our democratic principles. We are paying for that now and it’s nothing we don’t deserve.
America's original sin, slavery. So just to be clear, the destruction of native peoples, slavery, and oppression…those aren't unique to America. The Brits, the French, European countries in general, have their share of sin as well. Not to mention Africa..and Australia too. Maybe instead of blaming the country we should lay the blame where it really belongs…with wealthy white people. The wealthy white people are a cancer that destroys every living thing it touches.
You are 💯% correct on this. That is why, as a Black man, of course I’ll be helping the resistance, but I will not lead it other than to give guidance on being seriously committed to preventing the rise of future fascism. We can never go back to the injustice that has been allowed to fester for almost 250 years.
Thank you for this detailed set of reasons why the fiction that we used to be better off is a fiction, not a reality. I was/am in the process of writing a piece in a similar vein.
I was raised on fascist lies. I rebelled and tried for something better. For a while, there was reason to feel optimistic, but now, I hear the same malignant lies I heard growing up, and they’re spreading like wildfire.
I learned this as a young child and have lived in it all my life. I was lucky enough to attend Quaker schools and learn about the history of oppression and genocide of so many nonwhite, nonchristian people. It is all of our shame that we have not insisted on betterment of our country. Now it’s come back to bite the beneficiaries too. The worst part is that the whiniest babies will not learn from this. They are incapable of self-awareness and critical thinking.
It’s true that America has Never Been Great and also true that We Could Be. Today, more than ever in history, more people accept people for who they are where they are and how they are and speak out while others may think that but are afraid to vote that. Communication is definitely not our long suit! When have we talked to rural people on a level they comprehend—“comprehend” being a word they don’t connect with but “understand” is. We don’t. Even middle class Americans don’t uplift the poor and underprivileged and undereducated. And if you have any doubts, those people vote and that’s one reason we are in this mess! We haven’t attended to our poor and undereducated-we’ve left it up to a dysfunctional governmental system while we fed out apathy. We are now in a turning point place that is painful for every American. We either reach out and bond or we don’t and we give up or give in. I may not like my neighbors but I can stand up for their rights as well as my own even when they can’t stand. Or won’t. I hope that makes a difference.
I don't like it but you are right. This article puts me in mind of a SNL skit about Trumps first presidential win. The white actors were all moaning about how this was the worst thing that could happen (Trump’s ele tion). And I think it was Chris Rock and Dave Chappell started laughing. Like the white people didn't have a clue about the worse. And we didn't. Maybe now.
Reading textbook history in school means you read lots of propaganda. I stand by a concept of our country as a late adolescent nation.We are the poster child of white supremacy- particularly male supremacy. We take and call it strength. Our weakness is self-inflicted and then used punitively. Superficial, greedy, and more. Many of us hoped we were finally learning and growing. It appears that the cowardly braggadocious mass prefers another century as they cling to an unworkable future