Behind the political polarization of America is the same thing that divided the country 160 years ago, when rebel forces fired on Fort Sumter. We fought a Civil War in which ¾ of a million men died, which eventually was both won and then lost. With African Americans remaining in bondage, albeit in a different form. Donald Trump’s claim to the history books will be his attempt to launch a second civil war to help him establish a total dictatorship and bury the better aspects of our Constitution once and for all.
The role of both slavery and racism based on skin color created the conditions and wealth to build our empire and control other members of the working classes that became recognized at “white.” Although we are stuck using the terms black and white, their use itself reflects the racism which threatens to destroy our Republic. Scientifically, there is no black or white race, just the human race. These terms are both artificial, made up categories, one forces you onto the path of oppression, the other leads to one of relative privilege. But functionally they are real, and long ago became material realities.
In the last half of the 20th Century, there were progressive movements for civil rights, against war and racism, for women’s rights, gay rights, etc. that had to overcome many obstacles. Much progress was made, but the fundamentals behind the system remained in place. And many hearts and minds were not changed.
Our history since the Civil War has seen many ups and downs, with times of both progress and reaction. But without struggle, the reactionaries will carry the day.
Breaking the Race Barriers
You might ask, “Why has racism and white supremacy not withered and died? How has it been kept alive, not just in the South, but also in the rest of the country?” As long as the vast differences in wealth and power exist between those labeled as white people, and everyone else, the problem will persist. Efforts to improve the conditions of people of color and Native Americans will be looked upon negatively by even the poorest of whites. Politicians may choose sides for votes, but most will not disturb the economic basis of these two unequal worlds.
One of the main reasons I believe Martin Luther King was assassinated was his commitment to a Poor People’s Campaign, under which he also began organizing poor whites. He did not live to lead this march on Washington that year (1968). Nothing is more dangerous to those in power than a poor people’s campaign which can reach out to both poor blacks and whites. Poverty in America represents centuries of neglect and exploitation by American capitalism. Taking on poverty, and less we forget 65% of those under the poverty level are white, threatens the very foundations of our society. Find me a politician who advocates for the poor and it will be a rare find. It is an unspeakable and untouchable issue today. Most politicians pretend that the country is only composed of a middle class, and lump together the working poor and working class into it.
Today, Rev. William Barber is leading a national interracial coalition of blacks and whites, mostly successful presently in the Southern States. Progressives should take a lesson as to the importance of such work. In recent years we have seen runaway gentrification in major cities all over the country, coinciding with mass imprisonment of African Americans and the poor. In other words, the poor are becoming an endangered “species.” There are no national plans to extend employment opportunities and housing for the poor. It borders on the creation of genocidal conditions, as new technologies gobble up and eliminate jobs and as union membership continues to decline.
NEEDED: More Local Organizing
We should not underestimate the importance of interracial movements and coalitions and mas work. Traditional outreach, most of which takes place around election time, is primarily for turnout, very important, but not a way to reverse the reactionary and conspiratorial trends sponsored by the Republicans year round. Of course, they are most difficult of forms of work to succeed with. But the future for a better American depends largely on this, and a different and more personal, less intellectual, form of outreach. Radio is a largely unexplored medium for outreach on the left. The right has built a huge national network of blabbering “experts.” They took the long tern approach with this, and inflicted great damage to progressive possibilities.
There was a time when we had a lot more local activities going on. Few are reaching out locally in red areas. The nature of the Democratic Party must be radically changed. The lies and fictions promoted by the far right and Trumpers have placed our democracy in jeopardy. Those that wish to inflict a mortal wound on the Republic and democracy are close at hand. And their main weapon is to exploit white supremacy and racism. Trumpism has left no doubt in this regard. As much as it seems impossible, failure to make progress in reaching some of the Trumpers not totally under a cult like spell, and the mostly cynical, alienated white working and poor white classes can only lead to a more successful “Trump” in our future. Breaking the barriers that separate blacks from whites and organizing these groups to find ways in to engage in coalition work must start now, if not yesterday.