(Community Matters) I had to respond to a friend’s post blaming Obama for today’s cultural divide. After pointing out that this political division & rancor has been increasing ever since the Clinton presidency (b/c of the opposition, not Pres Clinton*) and that politics today are played by dividing us, not uniting us, I further shared:
A great deal of today’s division is discomfort with America becoming a multicultural society where Christian Anglo-Saxon culture will not solely dominate, a society where women, gays, Jews, Blacks, Mexicans, Asians and other minorities will share real power and will influence American cultural norms. I get that this is scary for many. I get that no group ever gives up power without a fight.
And, though there are certainly a few on our side, the overwhelming numbers of far right pundits who stoke up hate and fear among economically vulnerable seniors and working class people is beyond irresponsible. I think many of those pundits are just entertainers and don’t even believe the shit they are saying, yet it flames fires of insecurity, causing hate & vehement opposition. Birthers, white supremacists, those who pledged to oppose the Pres from day 1. I think 15 to 25% of the fevered opposition to Obama is because he’s black.
* not certain but imagining we’ve seen this level of grassroots anger and opposition toward any president who promotes the sharing of power & cultural dominance with other demographics rather than working to preserve Christian Anglo Saxon cultural dominance. I’m not suggesting all or even most Rs are prejudice; I do believe there is a material percentage of Americans vehemently opposed to multiculturalism and the sharing of power.
Community Matters 