This commentary is by Offie C. Wortham, Ph.D., of Johnson, a retired college professor who last taught at Johnson State College and, prior to that, at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.
After listening to every word of the announcement by Donald Trump of his decision to run for president in 2024, I considered the importance of this moment in history.
Trump told his viewers that he had the answers to all their present problems and concerns. He took credit for past improvements in the economy that were the result of economic developments implemented by many others.
The former president used phrases and words that have been used for centuries by aspiring politicians and leaders. He skillfully appealed to gain followers by stoking fears of an “inferior,” nonwhite population that he proposes would displace a superior white majority, by shouting repeatedly, “We will make America Great Again.”
This is known as “the great replacement theory” currently being followed and believed by millions of Americans, of all ethnicities. It is not new. In 1892, British-Australian author Charles Pearson warned of one day soon, when “white people would wake to find ourselves elbowed and hustled, and perhaps even thrust aside by peoples whom we looked down upon.” Does this sound familiar?
Will more jobs be lost by nonwhite immigration, which means Middle Easterners, South Asians, and Latin Americans? Some of the Trump followers even falsely depict Black people as pawns in a Jewish plot to undermine white America with violence and crime. Unfortunately, some of the nation’s highest political officeholders have recently repeated these ideas in their efforts to keep their positions.
The incomprehensible damage that has been done to confuse and mislead billions of people through the power of television and social media is often overlooked and not even considered as one of the major problems in the world.
The power of hundreds of thousands of commercials has been used to make millionaires and increase the homeless population. Misinformation is reinforced endlessly, until people believe anything, regardless of how untrue or insane.
Yes, there is still hope for those wanting to live in a safer and saner society. We must work hard to reduce the fears generated by politicians and racists. With more conversations and sound programs — like paying teachers and social workers more money, free higher education, universal health care, and scientific plans to increase social consciousness — we might still retain our democracy.
