America and the Politics of Emerging Groups
America has always been a nation of emerging groups. The nation's character and growth took shape as emerging groups from Europe subdued and marginalized the hemisphere's native occupants. Our history is replete with the accounts of group after group coming to the "land of opportunity". Hastened by oppression, abuse and poverty in their own lands, they came, and they came and they came.
Beckoned by a nation in need of more skilled labor, they came. Enticed by the call of "The New Colossus":
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
MOTHER OF EXILES. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
They came, and came and kept coming. Each group brought assets and each created its own liabilities. It is so wherever we go - - we carry assets and the accompanying needs (our liabilities). So, in coming, the groups brought value and required value in return.
In my view, it remains that way today. We still have emerging groups. Currently, there is afoot a political move to stem the inflow of immigrants. (We had virtually lost control of some of our borders and were becoming inundated with immigrants that had entered illegally.)
A nation's politics can be affected by emerging groups. America's major political parties took note of that fact and have made strategic inroads with many of the emerging groups.
Currently, the Democrats are courting the Latino immigrants, the female (women's liberation) rights groups and the gay rights group. The Democrats already have most of the African-Americans in their pockets.
The Republicans are courting people of Indian (from the country of India) descent, capitalistic Cuban exiles, some Chinese and seeking to recruit Western Europeans. The Republicans already have the White racists in their pocket. Very little attention is paid (by Republicans) to the African-Americans because they believe the Africans-Americans are too closely joined at the hip with the Democrats. Therefore, President Trump has made very very few African American appointments to high positions; plus, he associates with racists and may indeed be a racist himself. In contrast, many people of Indian (the country) descent have been given high positions in the Trump administration.
Ideologically, the Democrats have embraced abortion and "diversity" (a euphemism for gay "rights"). Being already in possession of the African-American vote, the Democrats are careful to nurture that group.
The Republicans have staked their claim to the White "working class" vote (a vote that contains much White racism).
Power politics often closes its eyes to everything except power (and that power is usually desired for the purpose of obtaining financial wealth). So, at the end of the day, money (in America) is usually the object sought, even though political rhetoric is often crafted to convince the public that money is not the object.
For the political leaders, wealth (rather than power) is usually the object. (Even when power is the object, it is usually a smokescreen for the acquisition of wealth (money).
Some groups that make up the political parties often do not realize that they are being used; however, those that do understand the paradigm often push hardest for their issues and are often given the most attention.
The education level of emerging groups often determines how well they fare in America. People of Jewish descent have usually focused on highly educating themselves and their children. They have made great inroads in America. In addition, they are both offensive and defensive when it comes to the well-being of their group. (Many groups absorb rhetorical attacks.) People of Jewish descent not only defend against attacks; but, they also mount counter attacks on their attackers. Not only do Jews defend against attacks on their group in America, they defend against attacks on Jews anywhere (and are often so vigilant that any reference to them that they don't particularly like will earn the speaker the accusation of being anti-Semitic.) For example, back in the late 1970s and early 1980s we were trying to bring down Apartheid in South Africa. In one period during that time I served as the president of a mall in a major New Jersey city. We had our mall manager publish a mall newsletter and, as president, I often wrote articles in the newsletter. Part of the campaign to overthrow Apartheid was the effort of get American companies to divest (or disinvest) their holding in South African companies. In one of my articles, I recounted the history of Apartheid in South Africa. In naming the parties that were involved in Apartheid, I mentioned some that were Jewish. After reading that issue of the newsletter, some of the Jews that were in the mall sought to chastise me for observing that Jews were involved in Apartheid. (The facts were well-documented but my fellow Jewish merchants didn't want it mentioned). So, they are a very vigilant group.
Most emerging groups are not as vigilant as are the Jews. African Americans have suffered almost four hundred years and are still struggling for position in America. The election of 2016 saw a White backlash that shocked the world. Many people were beginning to believe that White America had been cured of its racism; but, the election of 2016 and the subsequent rhetoric of President Trump quickly dispelled that myth. It is now very clear (again) that White racism is very alive and very well in the United States of America.
African Americans are in a situation much more complex that other "minority" groups. We are seen as "in" and we are seen as "out". We are seen as "good" and we are seen as "bad". We are seen as "loyal Americans" and we are seen as "suspect Americans". We are seen as "Christians" and we are seen as "weak links in the church". No other group suffers such complexity in America.
Uneducated African Americans are almost always treated in condescending manner by many Whites. Many educated Blacks are treated better to their faces but still not thought of as being on par with Whites. Because wealth has been so difficult for many of us to obtain in America's capitalistic system, some Whites (especially some who are rich) suspect us of leaning toward Socialism. So, when we work for them and earn them money we are "good"; but, when we begin to talk about economic equity we are seen as "bad".
When African-Americans fight and die in wars (for America) we are seen as "loyal Americans". When we highlight racism and inequities we are seen as "suspect Americans". (This is one of the highest points of American hypocrisy and a tell-tale sign of blatant White racism and White Supremacy.)
Some White Christians accept African-Americans as Christians. Other White Christians view African Americans as "weak links in the church" (as if there are no White "weak links in the church"). To be sure, there are plenty of "weak links in the church" (both Black and White). The Black "weak links in the church" are those African-Americans who are not really Christians but are Muslims (or are leaning toward Islam). The White "weak links in the church" are those Caucasians who are Atheists or are Agnostics leaning toward Atheism.
For thousands of years there has been a contest between Christianity and Islam (for converts). In America this is seen as a politically incorrect statement (they don't want it said). On the Continent of Africa, Islam has made great strides against Christianity. In America, Islam has been much more successful in winning Black people than it has been in winning White people. Thus, African American Christians are suspect (not to mention the fact that some African-American "Christians" are giving their children Islamic names). So, the truth is, some African American Christians are "weak links in the church".
I suspect that associating with Muslims makes African-American Christians suspect. For example, I have a Facebook Friend who is clearly Muslim. More than likely, that makes me a “suspect Christian”.
In pursuit of wealth and fame, some African Americans have cast themselves as heathens. Vile "cussing" in hip hop and rap music shows the slimy depths to which some Black people are willing to descend in pursuit of money, wealth and fame. (On the other hand, many rich White people are willing to do anything to get and keep wealth). Additionally, the people making the most money from the slimy depths are usually White.
Islam is a threat to American Christianity. Secularism is a threat to American Christianity. Both factors have affected Christian higher education. The Christian "right" has gone extremely "right". The Christian "left" has gone extremely "left". The divide is a great problem for American Christianity.
A full discussion of Christian academia would require volumes. Let's highlight it as follows:
The Christian "right" has appropriated for itself the concept of "purity" and is willing to exclude anything that it views as not being "pure". The Christian "left" has appropriated for itself the concept of "inclusivity" or "diversity" and is willing to accept almost anything. Thus we have the current "Christian dilemma": "One church, two opinions".
Both the Christian "right" and the Christian "left" are willing to compromise to hold their positions. In its exclusivity, the Christian "right" is willing to overlook the sin of racism. In its inclusivity, the Christian "left" is willing to overlook the sins of abortion and "gay marriage". So, Satan has compromised both.
A third dagger into the flesh of American Christianity is Secularism. Secularism seeks to minimize (and eventually destroy) Christianity. When the main leaders of both major political parties are sinful, Christians are left with the option of "accepting" the one that is "less vile" or not participating (voting) at all.
So, clearly, American Christianity is in trouble. The competition from Islam continues (not only in America, but around the world). It is very instructive that as soon as ISIS thought itself large and strong enough it declared a Caliphate.
Christian "right" seminaries have thus adopted the "purist" stance and Christian "left" seminaries have adopted the "inclusivity" or "diversity" stance. Thus the divide between Harvard and Liberty University is extremely wide (as would be the theology and philosophies of their graduates). It is unlikely that any abortion or gay marriage would be approved at Liberty University; while, at Harvard, it is likely that both abortion and gay marriage would be welcomed. Similarly, Liberty University would probably be much more likely to overlook, tolerate and/or support (and even practice) racism than would Harvard.
Christianity is also under attack from religions that use women. For example, many Christian women practice Yoga. Yoga is a religion and one cannot practice it without affirming the religion from which it emanates. Likewise, "Mindfulness" is based in Eastern religion and cannot be practiced without affirming that religion. So, Christianity is under attack by religions other than Islam (and those attacks are primarily through White women who call themselves Christians).
America is being challenged by the politics and activities of many emerging groups. Christianity, in particular, is being severely challenged.
The above are my points of view (that's the way I see it).
He that winneth souls must be wise.
Where do I stand? I am 100% against racism. I am 100% against abortion. I am 100% against gay marriage. I am 100% for Jesus Christ.
Text of "The New Colossus" from Wikipedia
Streaming Audio 24/7