MAKE WHAT GREAT AGAIN? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

MAKE WHAT GREAT AGAIN?

America Was Built On Oppression

23
MAKE WHAT GREAT AGAIN?

The Donald Trump campaign gave birth to the slogan "Make America Great Again." But if you're like me, you've asked yourself, several times, what do the words great again even mean, and who will benefit from this so-called greatness?

It just so happens that the question was answered by a Trump supporter last week. During a roundtable discussion, where several individuals fielded a series of questions regarding the 2016 election, the commentator asked a female Trump fan what "Make America Great Again" meant to her. The Trump fanatic gave Americans a simple response; she wants our country to go back to the morality and values that she believes represent the American way of life. And in case you were wondering when we lost those values and the morality she referenced; well, in her delusional world, she pointed out that homosexuals have stripped America of morality and values.

If you've been paying attention to the 2016 presidential election, you should know by now that the Trump campaign thrives on a high level of hate for certain sexual and racial groups in America. The entire Trump circle, supporters and campaign members, want some groups escorted off this land—after they build his wall—while banning others from touching a toe on American soil. So you can go ahead and just add the anti-homosexual statement to a long list of hateful, degrading, and troubling statements that have come from anyone on team Trump. With all this talk of forgotten and lost greatness, it made me take a look back at the values and morals that helped shaped the United States of America.

Let’s start at the Mystic Massacre of 1637, where up to 700 Native Americans, from the Pequot Indian tribe, were killed during an invasion from English settlers. They shot and beat the Indian men to death and set fire to the women and children. This incident is just one example of the hate and violence that fell upon Indian tribes in America. Visiting settlers have killed an estimated 100 million Native Americans. Simply put, America was invaded, stolen and turned into a breeding ground for slavery. Whether the slaves were Native Americans, African Americans, or another racial ethnicity, the immoral act of slavery helped shape and build this country. So, could murder and slavery be the morals and values that Trump supporters are hoping to bring back to America?

Could the Trump camp be searching for the values and morals that the Founding Fathers created while writing the laws that we hold so dearly? If so, it seems as though our nation prefers to forget that so many of the founding men that built America, did so while supporting slavery. America's birth is the exact definition of hypocrisy. Men such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison participated in the act of buying and owning slaves. In fact, many of the Founding Fathers wrote the United States Declaration of Independence with the idea of freedom and liberty, yet so many of the men that drafted and signed the document were slave owners. Think about it, the Declaration of Independence has a paragraph stating all men are equal, but our Founding Fathers didn't even live by the words they wrote. Many of the signers held a pen in their right hand while holding a slave whip in their left hand. Did someone hide their values and morals that morning?

According to record books, the discovery of America happened in 1492, yet the idea to end slavery wasn't brought to light until the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in September of 1862 and executed in January of 1863. Add in the fact that Henry Ford—an American icon—spent years spreading his anti-Semitic publications to Americans during our first World War, while women weren't allowed to vote until 1920, and LBJ signed the Civil Rights in 1964. These are just a few pieces of historical evidence that provide insight into the values and morals that gave birth to our nation.

I know exactly what Trump supporters mean by the words great again and it has nothing to do with values and morals. We live in a country where citizens pride themselves on the fact that we have so much freedom and allow everyone so many rights; yet, so many Americans love to judge and belittle others due to their differences. We should be trying to move forward as a nation, learning and growing from our mistakes, not voting for Trump and going back to a time when oppression ruled the land.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

A Year At JMU As Told By 'Bob's Burgers'

The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

83
Bob's Burgers
collegian.com

A year at JMU promises many great adventures. The journey of becoming a duke and learning what being a duke is all about is really exciting and a lot of fun. Of course, we all know that James Madison University is the greatest university in Virginia (perhaps even the entire country). There are many events and moments at JMU that are cherished and remembered by all dukes.

Keep Reading...Show less
birthday party

My birthday has never been my favorite holiday. I've found that I'm more excited to celebrate my friends' and family members' birthdays more than my own. I don't like being the center of attention, so I usually celebrate over dinner with a small group of family and friends. This way, I can enjoy myself naturally without feeling like I have to entertain everyone and make sure they are satisfied. In the past when I've had large parties, I was so nervous that people weren't perfectly content that I didn't enjoy myself at my own celebration.

Keep Reading...Show less
thinking
College Informations

Most of us have already started the spring semester, and for those of you who haven't started yet, you suck.

It seems like coming back from winter break wouldn't really be a break all things considered, since we all come back to school and pick up right where we left off. We know exactly what to expect, yet we're unprepared every single time.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Dear Future Me, Life Is Tough But Please Remember These 14 Things

You can forget to breathe OR to buy fruit OR to even pet a dog but you cannot forget these things!!

78
Dear Future Me, Life Is Tough But Please Remember These 14 Things
Distractify

Dear Future Me,

I know you still overthink everything and you care too much, but I hope you're loving life regardless of what you're going through. Trust me the ups and downs in life are helping you and shaping you remember that. I know that you think you are wiser and "cooler" than me now but I hope you remember these 14 things that have taught you so much already.

Keep Reading...Show less
I'm serious

There are tons of unisex names that are popular: Taylor, Alex, Bailey, etc. There are also numerous names that are used for both sexes, but they’re not seen as “unisex” yet. People are slowly becoming accustomed to the dual use of these names, but for the most part, in their minds they associate certain names with certain sexes. And that leaves those of us with these names in many awkward situations.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments