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In the twelfth chapter of the second book of Samuel, the prophet Nathan famously described a scenario to King David, wherein a terrific injustice is done. A man with everything steals the entire means of living from a man with nothing. Enraged, King David immediately decrees that for committing this horrific crime, the perpetrator should die, and fourfold restitution should be made. With great courage, Nathan then condemns the King, telling him that he has in fact, committed this atrocity. David is appropriately contrite; mortified when confronted with his own behavior.
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These two seemingly unrelated scenarios have several things in common: A horribly wronged underdog. A supreme power responsible for committing atrocity. A (rightfully) enflamed sense of justice. An unquenchable sense of moral outrage, and righteous indignation.
In these situations, who do you root for? Who are the “good guys?”
Now take a moment, and look at the picture below.
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In 1906 at the Massacre of Bud Dajo, soldiers opened fire into a volcanic crater filled with men, women, and children. Facing overwhelmingly superior numbers and firepower, 900 people were brutally slaughtered, while defending their freedom.
If you’d survived this carnage–if you’d watched your parents, your children, your siblings, your friends–mowed down by machine gun fire, would you, like Luke Skywalker, vow to spend the rest of your life fighting the empire that killed your family?
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In North America, greatness has always come at a terrific cost. On one hand, there are the tens of millions of aboriginal lives taken from the natives of the Americas, for their lands and the plethora of natural resources. Add to this the tens of millions of lives and the indescribable suffering inflicted on Africans forced into chattel slavery. As a new nation seeking to differentiate itself from its European heritage, the United States proudly proclaimed itself to be a place of liberty and freedom; a bastion of the ideology of self-determination.
During the Age of Imperialism, these concepts were entirely uncharted waters. The great nations of Europe made no such claims of righteousness: the right to govern “the inferior” was simply, divine. While unrealistically noble, the Declaration of Independence seemed to–by default–hamstring the new nation’s moral authority to colonize, relegating it to relative obscurity on the world scene.
Great nations simply didn’t ask permission to steal what it took in order to make themselves great.
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As the grandson of immigrants, I’ve never questioned the greatness of the United States of America. The wealth, cultural influence, and scientific contributions this country has made have changed the world, and shaped the past two centuries. This is irrevocable.
Equally immutable is the blood-stained path by which this greatness was achieved, as well as the abject hypocrisy of its stated morals when compared with its actions. There’s nothing more American than the juxtaposition of her romantic ideals against the loathsome reality of her policies. In the infamous words of John Godfrey Saxe, “laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made.”
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Cognitive dissonance is described as “the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change.” People in majority groups tend to suffer from (or enjoy, depending on your perspective) a particular kind of collective delusion. Like the emperor’s new clothes, people are willing to ignore abominable moral offenses, so long as they benefit from (or at least aren’t harmed by) the results.
The need–and ability–to justify unconscionable actions, all while professing righteousness–is deep in the DNA of the United States.
In the 1800s, concepts like Manifest Destiny (a direct ancestor of The Divine Right of Kings) and Social Darwinism (a now entirely debunked theory that claimed racial biological superiority) were used to justify egregious atrocities against brown peoples. South and Central America became to the United States what Africa had been to Europe: entire continents that existed only to be divvied up by genetically superior beings, to the “benefit” of the savages that occupied those spaces. Civility and religion would be exchanged for limitless natural resources. Liberty and freedom would be forced upon sovereign nations deemed incapable of governing themselves.
In the immortal words of Theodore Roosevelt, “all the great and masterful races have been fighting races. No triumph of peace is quite so great as the supreme triumphs of war. Diplomacy is utterly useless when there’s not force behind it.”
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It’s important to acknowledge that, at the height of American Imperialism, “good folks” entirely embraced these beliefs. I’m on record as saying that concepts of goodness are relative to adjacent periods of time. In the United States, there has always been a struggle for national identity between our professed ideals and our national interests. It is an incredible feat of intellectual and moral gymnastics to—in your founding documents—declare inalienable human rights, while simultaneously denying said rights to humans who don’t look like you. During what’s referred to in American history books (where it still appears) as The Filipino Insurrection–otherwise known as the natives of the philippine islands exerting their right to rule themselves––General Jacob H. Smith’s is notoriously remembered for his order to “kill everyone over ten [years old].” General Shafter was known to have said ‘it might be necessary to kill half the native population in order to bring perfect justice to the surviving half.” In his attempt to justify conquest by doing good for the conquered, then President McKinley remarked “it is not a good time for the liberator to submit important questions concerning liberty and government to the liberated while they’re engaged in shooting down their rescuers.”
Does that sound more like the Rebel Alliance, or like the Galactic Empire?
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What you just read is an incredibly abridged version of a single instance of American Imperialism. This doesn’t address the concentration camps, or water torture, or rape culture, or all of the other places the United States sanctioned this kind of behavior in order to “secure the blessings of liberty.” It doesn’t talk about how this kind of behavior was idolized by our presidents, the giants who now adorn the face of Mount Rushmore, and how they set the emotional tone for the nation. It doesn’t talk about the 800 military bases the US currently maintains around the world, or how the rest of the world feels about our capacity for drone strikes.
It’s the fetishization of the culture of imperialism that’s the subtext beneath the desire to “make america great again.”
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When I–and folks of color–hear the phrase “Make America Great Again”–we know intrinsically this does not express a desire to live up to the noble (if unrealistic) ideals of the founding fathers. It doesn’t express a desire to return America to some lost greatness, as much as it yearns for a return to the heinous process by which this country became great.
Which process in light of current day harkens back to war crimes no longer justifiable by 21st century standards of morality.
It is impossible to deny the very real feelings of those who believe they are “losing their country.” It’s easy to understand the (misplaced) nostalgia that permeates the memories of a time when there was no shame in cruelly dominating people who were “liberated” against their will. Much like King David, we have an historic opportunity to collectively look in the mirror, and come to terms with who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be.
It’s only after we admit our history that we can decide if we want to continue The March of Progress, living up to our professed ideals, or abandoning them to dissimulation.
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Is it possible that conservatives do not think America’s current greatness has been earned? Perhaps imperialism is their idea of the price reality exacts, and that we’re fooling ourselves – strategically and morally – by wanting to leave it behind.
To elaborate: Assume the moral universe has no arc, as Mr. Summers states; that it does not bend toward justice, but recognizes only strength, used on behalf of me and mine.
Well thought out – provocative – powerful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
When faced with this canpaign promise to “make America great again,” I have been stuck in my conviction that America is great now. I couldn’t understand why “they” don’t see that. But this article’s conclusion makes a lot of sense. It’s the desire to return to atrocity as the method of choice. Building walls, excluding whole religions, beating down anyone who disagrees or looks like they might disagree… Great points and an eye opener for me, thanks.
Tim, I’ve struggled with this as well. To imply America isn’t great now is a particular kind of delusion: it’s the only remaining global superpower. The arc of the moral universe has demanded that we accept inevitable progress as a society, which means abandoning imperialist methods and thinking. For people who define themselves by those outdated standards, it’s understandable they’d feel abandoned.
Great article. Too bad the USA is not so advance like labor rights, affordable/free education and medical care compare to Europe. There is too much individualism at the expense of the rest of society and we need to get a fine balance between individualism and collectivism. Anyone who thinks that he/she got anywhere in life all by themselves is a fool.
I really appreciate the focus here in considering the historical perspective behind the current push to “Make America Great Again” by the slogan’s proponents. U.S. History will always be what it is, and there will always be the positives that have come from it, but we should also never forget to acknowledge and learn from the enormity of the mistakes that have been made, and to try to make ourselves the better for it.
Rebecca, the United States was “lucky” to come of age at the tail end of imperialism, when certain atrocities were still considered acceptable in order to achieve international greatness. It would be impossible to do such things now, as our morality is slowly catching up with our technology. You’re entirely right; the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and better ourselves is a hallmark we should not ignore.
Thanks to computer technology, it is alot easier to find out and look at the dark side of American history which was not taught in American schools.
Sausage is the perfect analogy.
Otto Von Bismark often gets quoted for this incredibly apt analogy, so it was surprising to me to discover during my research for this essay that the statement actually predates him!
Extremely well stated! I personally believe we are emerging from the energies of imperialism, and will be stepping into the recognition and awareness that the polarities which now divide us aren’t intended to find us choosong one extreme or the other, but are rather end points of a spectrum that is meant to unify us. All we need to do is work on surviving ourselves while we get there.
Thank you Raven. The sooner we start behaving like we are all occupants of the same blue marble, the greater our progress as a species.
I would simply (maybe too simply ) that Mankind has sin problem and a selfish problem….and we just run shop this way…across time and across the globe. Now just imagine the US disappeared overnight…..wonder how quick ALL the radical muslims would really come out and implement their plan to rule the world…and that is another very valid and present day talk wouldn’t you say ?
I’m on record as saying goodness (not greatness) can only be measured on the sliding scale of time–see the link in the article. As for radical muslims? The last time radical christians started a war with them–The Crusades–they lost. If they wanted to rule the world, the already would.
The Crusades were an offensive in an ongoing war between Christian and Muslim empires and alliances. Charles Martel stopped the initial expansion at Tours in France back in 732. Isolating the Crusades as a Christian “attack” necessitates ignoring 700+ years of history. This was NOT a war started by “radical christians.”
I am 68 yrs. old and grew up in a very poor working class white Midwestern family. Upon my draft notice I could have either rejected my family values and joined the resistance movement or joint the military. Knowing my families commitment to JFK’s “ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what can I do for my country”. That lead me to experience three tours of duty in VietNam at search and rescue. Now forty seven years latter I have nightmares and so many questions and a large amount of guilt. I’m saying this to lead… Read more »
As Dr. King once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” But it doesn’t hurt if we SIT ON THAT ARC and bend it a bit ourselves.
Look. There is only one inalienable right. No matter what the constitution says or or the bill of rights. It’s the right to breathe and to live. Period. The rest of this is pure politics. Does the left or the right put forth the best way for that one inalienable right. I feel the right makes more sense. Others think the left does. . The problem is individualism. I am a big supporter of individualism. Until it impacts the whole. We’ve got to move all of us forward collectively. Individualism is an underpin. Not to be ignored. But when it… Read more »
The Jewish sages often write that admitting his guilt was King David’s moment of greatness, hence Israel’s. I agree with the author that the same holds true for America. I strongly disagree that those who hold to the idea of “Making America Great Again” is about “yearn[ing] for a return to the heinous process by which this country became great.” Perhaps for some, tragically. For most, I believe, it harkens back to the continued attempt to live out the most noble meaning of the Founding Fathers’ idea of freedom. Most Americans are not, in their heart, oppressors. At least, not… Read more »
Jackie Summers article, addresses the shadow side of Make America Great again. Shadow is shadow because it is hard to acknowledge.
As an outsider, Jackie’s article is a breath of fresh air, I did not find it cynical at all. See my comment below for further info. Paddy
Given much of what we’ve witnessed at Drumpf rallies, the noble sentiments of the founding fathers seem to be the absolute furthest thing from their stated intentions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ups4FeSuHvY
Great and timely article Jackie, you have named a very important elephant in the room. Just a few days ago I wrote the following email to an online magazine: There is an elephant in the room for men in the western world, particularly for the US and Aust. It is the issue of war and our hero worship of warriors. The issue was reawakened for me after watching American Sniper a few weeks ago. Today I watched a video clip posted on facebook by a friend. It is the song ‘I was only 19″ very popular right across Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns82tHhJOr0… Read more »
“There is an elephant in the room for men in the western world, particularly for the US and Aust. It is the issue of war and our hero worship of warriors.”
Good point Paddy. But, Western men are not the only men who suffer from this malaise. Why look at the love of the “strong men” in the Middle East. What I have discovered is that warrior culture and warrior worship is far more common in tribal cultures than Western cultures.
It is entirely true that it is not only western men that suffer from the malaise of warrior worship. I truly hope someone in the middle east is penning words of peace, as I am today.
Thank you Paddy. Your opinion as a counselor of veterans is greatly valued.
The history of all people is awash in blood, often the blood of innocents. Certainly the U.S. has much to account for. When doing this accounting we must compare the actions of our country with the prevailing attitudes of the time – and also see how we have progressed since then. For instance I love Japan – a place of great culture that has made tremendous contribution to our society. However it did not develop a Bill of Rights, it did not produce an Emancipation Proclamation. Certainly the ones that were produced by white Europeans (in America) were flawed but… Read more »
“When doing this accounting we must compare the actions of our country with the prevailing attitudes of the time – and also see how we have progressed since then.”
Precisely Charles. It just seems pretty outrageous to me to try to judge the behavior of people hundreds of years ago by today’s moral edicts.
The irony of thing is the same people like Mr. Summers often rebel when people try to call into question THEIR moral conduct TODAY. But, yet THEY have no problem judging the moral behavior of others hundreds of years ago.
Actually HISTORY is the judge. There was no such thing as war crimes in the 1800s; rape, torture, and inhumane treatment of prisoners was simply expected. The Hague Conventions were international treaties negotiated at the First and Second Peace Conferences at The Hague, Netherlands, in 1899 and 1907, respectively, and were, along with the Geneva Conventions, among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in the nascent body of secular international law. The Geneva Conventions are four related treaties adopted and continuously expanded from 1864 to 1949 that represent a legal basis and framework for… Read more »
I clearly state in the essay above that goodness (not greatness) must be measured in relation to its adjacent era. That said, other nation did not set themselves apart as bastions of self-determination, or declare that “all men are created equal.” The United States made themselves instantly accountable for their words in a way that had never been done before. May we continue on the path you note, of progress and enlightenment. It is a difficult road that requires all of our participation.
Mr Summers – yes you did and it adds great credibility to your statements.
Earthly empires conceived and cultivated in the finite mind of men always have an expiration date! This is a good reminder. Maybe a new covenant is possible. Thank you sir!
From your lips to God’s ears, Nowlsee.
This is a very forceful piece and many across the world will be able to relate to it. thanks.
Thank you Susheela. May we move forward together in a spirit of understanding.
Jackie this was very well written and thought through. I have for a long time felt that I was alone in questioning on exactly how we as a country came to be. How we earned our greatness. On several occasions I have wondered how much blood was spilled for our so called freedoms, because as we are all aware freedom isn’t free.
Tensa, thank you for your kind words. I find often people confuse greatness with goodness. Greatness speaks to capacity, whereas goodness speaks to moral quality. The United States has done terrific on the former; the latter could use significant improvement.