Hate in America
Yes, it's a dark view of the American character.
My feeling is that the American psyche embodies both the best and the worst of human nature. There is a xenophobic strain that has permeated our culture since before we became a nation, perhaps stoked by our two-ocean isolation. Ironically, we are a nation of immigrants. One could imagine that this might inoculate us from the poison of racial and ethnic hatred. If anything, it has heightened the sense of isolation felt by some on the fringes.
The institution of slavery in a relatively modern society helped to solidify a mind-set wherein some human beings were considered, legally, less "human" than others. Glowing embers of that attitude continue to smolder beneath our national surface.
Economic hardship tends to bring such strains into stark relief and make them more acceptable, particularly when the have-nots or the aggrieved are seeking someone to blame for their current plight.
On the other hand, what makes America exceptional is that we have laws and systems in place designed to conquer those base and ugly forces of human nature that have consumed other peoples. It is our strength that we keep trying to better ourselves as a pluralistic nation, in spite of persistent setbacks. We are a nation of laws, thank God. Unfortunately, we are also a nation of human beings, with all our inherent flaws.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
The CONservatives started the culture of hate, beginning with Eye of Newt Gingrich.
Lincoln is probably spinning in his grave like a camshaft in a SmartCar.
Posted by: Painkiller Jeff | June 17, 2009 7:28 PM
Hey Jeff,
It doesn't look like the CONservatives have a monopoly on hate.
Posted by: Lolly | June 17, 2009 11:32 PM
The above statement seems to be contradictory. The situation is very critical and need an experienced campaigner to resolve it.
Fort Lauderdale Real Estate
Posted by: lalpri | June 18, 2009 12:03 AM
America and Hate? What word would you then use to characterize the world's worst regimes? How about the race relations in the oh-so-sophisticated France? Ascribing all these qualities to Americans shows to me you have no sense of perspective. It's like saying Americans fart. Well, they do too in other countries, did you know?
You're naive, stupid or have an agenda? All of the above?
Posted by: A. Olszewski | June 18, 2009 12:50 PM
America is not perfect but "Hate". You're so far off. We are good. We've made our mistakes, but no other country on Earth has helped so many people. From World Wars, to famine in Africa, to Earthquakes, Tsunamis. You name it, we are always there to help. The Left wind stokes hate in order make people feel guilty for their success so they can push their "fairness". I find very sad and pathetic. Everyone has the same opportunity, no one is guaranteed success.
Posted by: dave | June 18, 2009 1:31 PM