It has become a trite expression to argue that history repeats itself. While this assertion is problematic in any number of ways, if we view the rise of the presumptive Republican nominee Donald J. Trump from a historical perspective his popularity with certain segments of American society may not seem so surprising. Though his outlandish positions on everything from abortion, immigration and foreign policy have ignited some of the fiercest debates, his rhetoric is nothing new. The core values he represents are deeply rooted in the history of racism and oppression in the United States. An open and honest look into history reveals Trump to be much less a phenomenon than the personification of decades of oppression, inequality, systemic racism and political and corporate corruption.
Ironically however, Trump has positioned himself as an outsider crying out truth to a weary nation. In the bellowing echo of his call to “make America great again” is the disturbing question – what exactly is he is using to measure greatness? It is not clear, even to the most acclaimed academics, what Trump means. Political dissident, professor and author Noam Chomsky pointedly asked, “Does he mean what he is saying?” The same words I have echoed in my own struggle to grapple with “Trumpism”. In a historical context however his positions on everything from climate change, promoting torture, the refugee crisis, to racist policies, point to the problematic history of the failures of American democracy. Our brazenly obvious ability to ignore our departure from our professed values in this country in uncanny. We understand, according to the Geneva Convention, waterboarding is a form of torture and therefore violates international law. Yet crowds roar when Trumps says he will continue using that method, a method U.S. policy has allowed for decades. The only thing different here is it is not hidden behind the veil of national security, Trump is using a national platform to outright advocate for it.
His off-the-cuff comments and impromptu policy not only illuminate his own xenophobia and racism, but the continuing specter of racial and economic injustice in America. As much as one might like to argue the latter, we would be neglecting decades of history that have allowed for laws and policies to disproportionately affect people of color. While people of color are no longer in chains or sold like property- policies and practices ensure they remain disenfranchised and caste permanently as second-class citizens. We see that as a continuing trend when Trump tries to associate illegal immigration with increased crime rates. His comments incite the same level of hatred and fear as so many leaders of our past – we understand the repercussions but ignore the notions with complacency. And Trumps solution to build a wall parrot Adolf Hitler’s hyperbolic language which heavily influenced policies with clear unjust and racist sentiment. The same language used to justify the attempted eradication of an entire population.
What is the function of a truth teller in a democracy? Is it not to keep the public well informed? Yet we treat whistleblowers, who serve as a voice to the people, as criminals and charge them with treason. Trump said, “Snowden is the biggest threat”- but you have to ask yourself, a threat to what? A threat to the system as it stands now – or a threat to a functioning democracy? “The state can’t control behavior by force – therefore they have to control what you think.” And we fully understand, a democratic society can’t work like that. Dissent serves as a vital element to democracy- a real challenge to power. Yet those that risk their life to do so are penalized and not heralded for their patriotism.
If we can take away anything from Trump- it should be the evidence of just how far we have veered from democracy and how far we still have to go. History is powerful beyond measure- And singlehandedly the most prominent indicator of future events. While we can dismiss the triteness of the notion of history repeating itself, Winston Churchill was nevertheless right when he warned that “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” An invaluable lesson, we as a nation, have yet to learn. Our history is fiercely deplorable and utterly incomprehensible. Once we, as a nation, acknowledge that, we can understand why people like Trump have risen to power.
Challenge The Narrative 