Whiteness, Maleness, and Americanism Have No Intrinsic Value
Through the history that is handed down to us in schools, the media, and through oral tradition, Whiteness, Maleness, and Americanism have been duplicitously elevated as having superior actual intrinsic value. These iconic characteristics are no match for the real values of integrity, intellect, creativity, focus, discipline, talent or skills, inclusiveness, community, and hard work that have actually built this country and advanced our civilization. Skin color unto itself has no beneficial absolute value, but our dominant white culture has assiduously made it so. Maleness or patriarchy has no superiority to femaleness and members of the LGBTQ community. Americanism is a self-serving ego-centric construct that was put in place for various malicious reasons. We can choose to move to a higher trajectory of accomplishment, happiness, and respect in the world if we let go of these superficial values of superior Whiteness, Maleness, and Americanism.
Trump has given White Males of America, who may be deficient in intellect, economic strength, education, and a broad worldview a false sense of superiority by pandering to the White Male electorate. President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best-colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.” This misguided perception of many White Males gives them a reason not only to ignore the damages that racism does to people of color, but the greater damage that racism does to our entire society.
President Lyndon B. Johnson reads a memo while swimming with his dog Yuki and grandson at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas in 1968. Photo courtesy of LBJ Presidential Library
Women have proven that in many cases they are superior students, better communicators, and more well-rounded managers and leaders. Since 2015 according to a Washington Post article, the majority of entrants to medical schools are now women. According to a Gallup survey, employees view women as better engaged in, more effective managers. Women make better doctors, due to the fact that they have better-developed empathy skills which have proven to be essential for more effective medical care. Corporations are slowly realizing that they’re under-representation of women on corporate boards is limiting the effectiveness of their corporate boards to direct the goals of the corporation in a more effective way.
The inflated concept of superiority through Americanism actually causes our nation to regress and be seen in the world as an arrogant pariah. Arrogance and a lack of honesty and humility ultimately lead individuals, institutions, and nations to a path of mediocrity and ultimate downfall. Americanism has caused many people to volunteer for military conflict, become emotionally and physically disabled and in many cases die for the deceptive idea that they are fighting for their country. Our country is a mass of land and all the people, not just the elite corporate fat cats. Wars are basically a rich man’s game of profit, which is carried out by the working-class people who give up limb and life for the greedy designs of the uber-wealthy. Americanism is also used as a method of lying to people of this country about our present superiority so that politicians do not have to advocate for National Healthcare, improve labor laws, legislate more stringent environmental and consumer protections, and fail to par down a bloated defense budget and 800 military bases around the world to primarily protect corporate and banking interests.
In conclusion, if we really want to become a better, healthier, and happier nation we need to shed the ridiculous memes that being White, Male, and Americanism has absolute intrinsic value. These three false values only serve to continue to hinder progress and betterment for all Americans.
