A threat to our societal fabric>>>

White nationalism and white supremacy are terms that have reached into the lives of us all, regardless of our propensity to endorse or not to become involved.  Although these terms are often used interchangeability, they are not one in the same, albeit they are in the same family of words and phrases.  Let me put the difference between the two terms into perspective.  In the August 14, 2017, edition of the Columbia Journalism Review, it is noted that a “supremacist” believes a particular race (or sex, or other genetic or cultural characteristic) is superior to others.”  The article goes on to state that “you must know what the characteristic that is believed to be “supreme”, and an adjective must be attached…” which leads into the addition of “white supremacists”, or Muslim supremacists, or male supremist, etc.

The article states that a “Nationalist is at heart merely someone who strongly believes in the interest of one’s own nation…”   It is noted that adding an adjective to specify what their nation is can then become politically polarizing.  For example, a “white nationalist” generally wants a nation of white people only and like “white supremacists” the “white nationalist” believes that white people are inherently superior.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary explains that “white nationalist is defined as ‘one of a group of militant whites who espouse white supremacy and advocate enforced racial segregation,’ while white supremacist is ‘a person who believes that the white race is inherently superior to other races and that white people should have control over people of other races.’’’

A glaring example of white nationalism was the insurrection that occurred on January 6. There is very little question about the orientation of the majority of those who participated in this egregious act against our government.  The overwhelming number of participants were white. Racial segregation is a hallmark of the white nationalist. Further. it should be recalled that the men who  plotted to kidnap the Governor of Michigan were all white. Within the tenants of white nationalism, there is not a place for an integrated nation and all races must be segregated.  In reflecting on the rise of Nazi Germany, such segregation was ever so apparent.  Although the racial composition was different, Jews as opposed to Blacks, Asians or Muslims, the intent and outcome was consistent with a nationalist mentality

Returning to the historical context of white nationalism it becomes obvious that two men were instrumental in propagating this orientation.  William Shockley and Arthur Jensen are the primary proponents of a white nationalist orientation.  It is interesting that Shockley was a physicist and had won the Nobel Prize in 1956 for the invention of the transistor and was viewed as the single most influencer for ushering in the computer age.  Although a renowned physicist, Shockley was also a eugenicist and argued blacks were inferior.  As a professor of Physics at Standford he had a measure of respectability, but that eroded as he became more and more involved with his views on white nationalism.

The other member of this nationalist duo, Arthur Jessen, is a member of the faculty of another prestigious university.  He is an educational psychologist at The University of California- Berkley.  In this role he provided some measure of academic respectability to theories of black inferiority and public policy that was segregationist by definition.  According to the Southern Poverty Law Center,  “Jensen promoted eugenics as the only practical solution to the problems facing the black community.”  He had the ability “to repackage fringe racial theories in the dry, dispassionate rhetoric of science which made Jensen an instant celebrity in white nationalist circles where he is still revered.”

As white nationalists are viewed more closely, it appears as if they are a fanatical fringe of the larger society.  While this may be true, it should not provide any measure of comfort or lack of concern.  If there is any merit in them being fanatics, these individuals can be the most troublesome.  They are convinced of the “rightness” of their beliefs and are impervious to any attempts to rationale reviews of their position.

Those who are the adherents to white nationalism tend to be easily led to follow others, regardless of the outcome of their involvement.  There is evident an Orwellian Group Think phenomenon that characterizes the white nationalist and those that are involved tend to let others do their thinking for them.  Included in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights are five freedoms that the government cannot undermine.  These five freedoms include the Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Assembly, and the Freedom to Petition the government to right a grievous wrong.  White nationalists challenge the protections embodied in the First Amendment on a regular basis.  Most often this involves some type of rally, riot or assembly.  In these events the freedom of speech is ever so evident, and a great deal of attention is directed toward the inferiority of the non-white population.  Historically, the courts have protected the rights included in the First Amendment and have provided minimal control over the hate that emanates from white nationalist groups.

A sub-set of white nationalists are those individuals and groups that claim to be Christians.  It is these groups that want to create a Christian nation. Their influence and power in the Republican Party is evident in the role they played in the drafting of the GOP platform.  The 16-page draft shows the influence that Christian nationalism would have if Trump were elected. As stated in a recent  HuffPost article, signs of the ideological influence of Christian nationalism are apparent in the draft platform.  Included in the draft is a plank that addresses immigration and states that immigration laws would be used to keep foreign Christian-hating Communists, Marxists, and Socialism out of America.  Another plank embraces the support for homeschooling, including protecting the infusion of the Bible in the coursework. “The Christian nationalists’ movement has deep roots in anti-communism, antisemitism, white supremacy and isolationism” (HuffPost) During the time Trump was president, the religious right advocated for ending same sex marriage, banning abortion, and denying the existence of trans people.  These ideological beliefs are imbedded in the draft platform of the GOP.  The HuffPost article goes on to state that “The most radical adherents of the movement, which has gained influence on the right, see pluralistic democracy as a roadblock to be dismantled and consider their political standard bearers, such as Trump, to be divinely inspired.” (HuffPost) The draft promises to promote a culture that values the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.  Also included is the creation of a federal task force, “Anti-Christian Bias” that will be charged to investigate all forms of illegal discrimination, harassment, and persecution against Christians in America.” (HuffPost}

The primary member of the committee that drafted the platform has close ties with Trump.  He has become director of the Center for Renewing America which is a right wing think tank and has an identifiable Christian nationalism focus.  He has also been involved with the creation of Project 2025.  This is a 1000-page agenda that would remake the federal government and remake the country.  Examples of some of the language in this document include abolishing the Departments of Education and Homeland Security.  Further, the Department of Justice would be used to prosecute any individuals who oppose Trump, should he be reelected.  These examples should cause all freedom loving Americans to shutter.

As the push for Christian nationalism gains a measure of traction, it needs to be noted what that entails.  As noted above, there are specific behaviors that are not condone by this group such as abortion, same-sex marriage, etc., but there is also a mandate to incorporate the tenants of Christianity into the classroom.  In Louisiana a recent law states that every classroom from kindergarten through high school displays the Ten Commandments.  Additionally, in Oklahoma a recent law requires the Bible be incorporated into course curricula in the public school.  Other states are moving in similar directions.  Further, there is a movement to censure the use of certain materials in the classroom.  Any reference to sexual behavior is included amongst what is unacceptable.

As noted, within the language of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights is the prohibition of the establishment of a state religion.  There is to be a separation between religion and the state.  Those who espouse an affinity for Christian nationalism disregard this specific directive.’

‘There is, likewise, a push to censure the use of certain books and other means of communication in the public-school classroom.  A list of 100 such books has been published and is to be used as a guide to what is right and what is wrong.  People need to be a bit careful here because the Bible is on that list.  A study of sexually explicit references in the Bible has been compiled and 29 such references have been identified.  Some are extremely salacious such as the story included in the nineteenth chapter of Gensis where both of Lot’s daughters slept with him, had sex with him, and bore a child fathered by him.  This is but one example of an  explicit description of sexual activity in the Bible.  Throughout the Old Testament there are repeated sexual references and an infatuation with the breasts of females.

In a few weeks we will all know the outcome that this movement has had in the country.  If successful, then there will be a new day that will be replete with numerous expectations that many will find difficult to follow.  As we ponder the potential impact on the country and the basic values that characterize our historical underpinnings, there must be a legitimate degree of concern.  Values that are the hallmark of a democratic representative government are threatened.  Freedom and democracy are in the crosshairs of the white nationalist, including those who champion the creation of a Christian nation.  We cannot sit idly by and “let nature take its course” because we may wake up on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in a nationalist driven society.  For most of us, that would prove to be catastrophic.