Saving America? From what? From whom?
The fundamental divide between progressives and conservatives
Over the last few days, conservatives of every stripe have taken to social media to bleat out their concerns for that the United States they know and love might change.
This, then, is the fundamental divide, isn’t it? Progressives (liberals) want to move forward, and they may not only accept change, but they may embrace and push for it in light of disparities such as this:
The gap between white and Black home ownership is at 30% — higher than when the Fair Housing Act was passed.
Wage inequality is rising almost too fast to keep up.
Racial disparity in our schools is horrifying.
Despite some efforts by some incredible people, our rich country still has people sleeping in the streets.
Don’t get me started on the gender wage gap.
Rates are falling, but we still incarcerate people at alarming rates, and Mississippi now leads the world in putting people behind bars.
I think about this kind of thing when I see MAGA on a cap or a flag. If we’re going to Make America Great Again, at what era are we aiming? Because if we’re going back to 1919, before women could vote, I’m going to be piiiiiiissed. Precisely at what point in our history was our greatness shared equally among all of us? Or are we not talking about that kind of greatness at all?
Nailed it. When women and Black people knew their place, when people of alternate sexual orientations kept that shit in the closet, and when everyone attended a proper white Christian church on Sundays, those were the days.
It’s not a new thought but self-loathing has been consuming millions of Americans for some time. People who hate themselves tend to project that hatred towards other people, towards organizations, ideas and especially change. It’s no surprise that these people are attracted by a vessel for their hate. Trump hasn’t so much been a leader as he’s been a model of self-loathing denial and projection for the millions in the MAGA cult.