I find amusing the argument that the United States represents "the beacon of democracy and the rule of law." That has always been a posture, not a reality. We are the country built on Indigenous genocide, slavery, lynching, voter suppression, treaty violations, class warfare, and misogyny, not to mention our rape of natural resources in …
I find amusing the argument that the United States represents "the beacon of democracy and the rule of law." That has always been a posture, not a reality. We are the country built on Indigenous genocide, slavery, lynching, voter suppression, treaty violations, class warfare, and misogyny, not to mention our rape of natural resources in the name of ever-increasing profit. Nazi Germany studied our slavery practices approvingly. I agree with Churchill that democracy is the worst system of government, except for all the others that have been tried. But our legacy is one of cruelty and domination and it does not do well to forget that.
Reid, "perception is reality" to the people around the world who are only shown our light side, not our dark side. Heck, most people who have been educated in the American school system pre-K to PhD have only been shown the sunny side. Why do you think the 1619 Project is so controversial? I, myself, have blindly lived in the shining city I was fed. I'm nearly 70 and am only now reading & learning how insidious and limited my education thru a bachelors degree was. So, yeah, you're right that we have a very, very dark side but it's been very well hidden by the powerful people who benefit from our blind support of them in order to manipulate the world to bend in their favor--the rich, powerful oligarchs.
well .. all true ..but people have come here to live and prosper if they can. It seemed to be a desirable place and if you look, you’ll find a lot to like. I’m not disagreeing with you because I do read history. Just saying we in the US have a lot to be proud of too.
True enough. This is a wonderful country, you're right. But I think elevating the U.S. as an avatar of freedom and democracy is disingenuous at best, dangerous at worst. It is precisely because I love my country that I hold it to a high standard.
Indeed Dillard! Even with our dark "back story" I believe it to be the best country to be living in (despite the last 5 yrs LOL). But the last 5 yrs also shocked people here and abroad because so much of the dark side of American life got exposed. Perhaps our motto should change from "In God we Trust" to "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" ;)
I find amusing the argument that the United States represents "the beacon of democracy and the rule of law." That has always been a posture, not a reality. We are the country built on Indigenous genocide, slavery, lynching, voter suppression, treaty violations, class warfare, and misogyny, not to mention our rape of natural resources in the name of ever-increasing profit. Nazi Germany studied our slavery practices approvingly. I agree with Churchill that democracy is the worst system of government, except for all the others that have been tried. But our legacy is one of cruelty and domination and it does not do well to forget that.
Reid, "perception is reality" to the people around the world who are only shown our light side, not our dark side. Heck, most people who have been educated in the American school system pre-K to PhD have only been shown the sunny side. Why do you think the 1619 Project is so controversial? I, myself, have blindly lived in the shining city I was fed. I'm nearly 70 and am only now reading & learning how insidious and limited my education thru a bachelors degree was. So, yeah, you're right that we have a very, very dark side but it's been very well hidden by the powerful people who benefit from our blind support of them in order to manipulate the world to bend in their favor--the rich, powerful oligarchs.
Well said
You nailed it, Reid. Our country's hypocrisy has always been concealed in the name of freedom.
well .. all true ..but people have come here to live and prosper if they can. It seemed to be a desirable place and if you look, you’ll find a lot to like. I’m not disagreeing with you because I do read history. Just saying we in the US have a lot to be proud of too.
True enough. This is a wonderful country, you're right. But I think elevating the U.S. as an avatar of freedom and democracy is disingenuous at best, dangerous at worst. It is precisely because I love my country that I hold it to a high standard.
Indeed Dillard! Even with our dark "back story" I believe it to be the best country to be living in (despite the last 5 yrs LOL). But the last 5 yrs also shocked people here and abroad because so much of the dark side of American life got exposed. Perhaps our motto should change from "In God we Trust" to "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" ;)