Donald Trump and the Reincarnation of the Know-Nothings

I usually don't write about politics on my blog, mainly because 1) I think it is better to talk politics face-to-face, and 2) the chances of my writing about politics on my blog actually influencing anything is extremely slim. There will probably be 20 people who actually read this post, most of whom will be my family members and close friends . . . who I would talk politics with face-to-face.

So, usually there is no need.

But I feel compelled to write something, because honestly? I am scared. The rise of Donald Trump frightens me. The thought of a President Trump scares the living daylights out of me--anyone who gets chummy with Putin frightens me, and the thought of Trump anywhere near the nuclear codes? *shudder*

But it's not just Trump who frightens me. The impulses behind his rise make me incredibly uneasy. Not only is Trump's rhetoric inflammatory, racist, sexist, bigoted, etc., etc., but, like the man they follow, Trump's supporters don't seem to care. 

Not only that, but many of them embrace the hate, even issuing death threats to people who disagree with them.

That, my friends, is scary. It is scary when anyone in society decides that the best way to deal with those who disagree with us is to silence them.

I have had an interesting perspective on this year's presidential nomination race. Since I am in England, I am slightly removed from the inside drama (but not as removed as you might think--the Brits I associate with love talking about American politics). Still, being over here has given me some time to disengage and view American politics in a more comparative light . . . particularly through the lens of history.

That will come as no surprise to many of you. I am, after all, studying history, and I often find and make connections with current situations to the past. I think it is healthy, helpful, and needful to use history as a lamp to understand the murky present . . . we're doomed to repeat the past not because we don't learn it, but because we don't care about it. I think we should start to care.

Watching the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election Campaign has helped me draw multiple connections, many of which will be left to face-to-face conversations.The connections I see, of course, don't always mean that they are useful or even right.  But there is one that I feel worth mentioning to you, my ever-loyal blog readers.

It is this: the rise of Donald Trump has been facilitated by a reincarnation of the Know-Nothings.

What? you might be asking.

The Know-Nothings, I say.

Who are they? you ask.

Well, let me tell you. Strap yourselves in, kids, and keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times. We're going on a time machine trip to the mid-1800s, when only white males could vote in America, slavery was dividing the nation, a major political party was in demise, and there were strong anti-immigration feelings throughout the Union.

In fact, the Know-Nothing Party started because of those anti-immigration sentiments, in response to a rise of Catholic immigrants from Germany and Ireland. The Know-Nothings called themselves the "Native American Party," not because they were in support of Native American rights, but because they viewed themselves as "pure" or "real" native-born Americans. They were suspicious of Catholics who were taking away American jobs and who they thought were more loyal to the Pope than to America.

[Say hello to "Citizen Know-Nothing." The Know-Nothing's ideal of the perfect American citizen. 

Photo Cred: Sarony & Co., Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Accessed from Wikipedia.]

Because they felt their concerns were not being addressed by the Whig Party, they broke off from the Whig Party and formed their own. Their political party was supposed to be secret. When asked about their activities, they replied "I know nothing," hence, the name. (And it obviously wasn't secret, so I still wonder what the point of that secrecy was if you just told people you were part of this by saying "I know nothing." Hey, everybody! I'm in this secret society called the Know-Nothings, and I am now telling you by saying, "I know nothing!" Anyway. Moving on.) 

They enjoyed a great deal of success, especially in the North, where there were large populations of recent immigrants. The Know-Nothings took away civil rights from Catholics. They could be violent. They were certainly vitriolic in their newspapers. And they contributed to the factions in the United States, leading to stronger divisions between North, South, and West, thereby becoming a small factor in the downward spiral in the decade leading up to the Civil War. They had their own ideas of how they would "make America great again" . . . and their party was founded on  principles of suspicion, racism, and bigotry. 

Although the Know-Nothings of the 1840s and 1850s did not win a presidential election, their influence shattered the Whig Party and changed the course of American politics. This recent reincarnation of the Know-Nothings is changing the face of the Republican Party in some pretty ugly ways (of course there are other factors which have changed the Republican Party over the past 30 years, but these new Know-Nothings have certainly done a number on the Grand Old Party). It is a far-cry from the Party of Lincoln (who, by the way, wrote that he would rather move to imperial Russia "where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy" than live in an America controlled by the Know-Nothings). 

Why do I bring this up? Do I dare say that Trump supporters are ignorant "Know-Nothings"? Am I saying that Americans are on a slippery slope that will lead to our own destruction? Am I suggesting we all move to Canada, Germany, or Russia if Trump wins? 

I wouldn't be so audacious to say any of those things. Blanket statements and over-generalizations lead to trouble. Besides, a historian never tries to predict the future. We're stuck in the past, remember?

But I will say this. Know-Nothings didn't go away after the Civil War. Their remnants can be seen in anti-immigration acts at the turn of the twentieth century. Their echoes can be heard in George Wallace's "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." And yes, they can also be heard in Trump's comments today about Mexicans and Muslims.

Nativists crop up from generation to generation. Now, immigration and border control is a huge issue unto itself (and a crucial one), but the nativist sentiments put forth by Trump and his supporters is very disconcerting. It is just one more reminder that racism has not gone away. Neither has sexism or any form of radicalism. It is easy to tap into these demons of human nature. It is so easy to characterize those who are different from you as enemies. When movements are spurred by hate, vitriol, and anger, you can be sure that division follows. "The center cannot hold," and we enter a world where "the best lack all conviction while the worst/Are full of passionate intensity." (see W.B. Yeats's "The Second Coming")

Time will tell if Donald Trump will win the Republican nomination and the general election (although I certainly hope he wins neither). We can predict the future but we never know the exact results. But what I do know is that hate speech will never make America "great" again. Hate is not strength. Racism and division have never made America great. They coat democracy in hypocrisy and keep America from delivering on her promises.

We need leaders today who choose to unify instead of divide. People who truly believe in Lincoln's sentiments of "malice towards none, with charity for all."

Call me an idealist, but I still think that those people are possible to find . . . because I've met people like that. People who I believe could become those leaders; people of wit, class, leadership, kindness, and bravery whom I could fully support as world leaders, even some who I think would make phenomenal Presidents of the United States.

People who realize that politics is, as David Brooks says, about seeing people as people--in all of their forms--and treating them with dignity and respect.


*Frightening Update*
This headline: "Donald Trump Won't Condemn KKK, Says He 'Knows Nothing About White Supremacists." 
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Happy Independence Day!

I am so grateful to live in America. I am grateful for the freedoms we enjoy. And I am grateful to those who sacrificed and still do sacrifice to help defend these freedoms.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness [. . .]

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." --The Declaration of Independence

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." --Gettysburg Address

Also, I like this video. And this song. So you should watch it and feel all nostalgic and patriotic.



I know that our history is not perfect (is any country's?), but I admire the men and women who have sacrificed their all to protect and promote freedom.

"Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife; Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!" 

Happy Independence Day. May God bless America.

Remember, remember

Today is a memorial day. 
It's the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. 
A four-minute speech that changed the world and gives us something to aspire to. 
Words of hope. Inspiration. Dedication. 

It is important to reflect and remember, because it helps us to reconsider where we're going and who we really want to be. 

There is so much to be said . . . too much to be said well. But I think that reading Mr. Lincoln's words is enough to help us remember the sacrifices of the past, which were made to give life to the hopes of the future. 

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

Remember

lest we forget. 

Remembering 9/11

Ten years ago, I woke up late for my elementary school choir practice.

I remember rushing up the stairs, barely listening to my little sister telling me that two planes had crashed into buildings in New York City.

"Uh-huh," I said, not really believing, too interested in gulping down my cereal.

"No, really," my mom said, tears in her eyes. "This is real."

And my perfect snow globe world shattered.

I remember sitting on the kitchen bar stool, horrified as I listened to my mom and dad describe what just happened, and that America was under attack. I was even more appalled when I saw the T.V. screen--black smoke pouring from the twin towers, announcers unsure of what was happening.

The anxiety and fear catapulted to school, as I talked to others in my class--who had done this? why? how many people had gotten out alive? There was a kind of camaraderie in this fear; we all felt keenly aware of the danger our country was in, and even more aware of the people in New York. I know my fifth-grade heart reached out to them.

But I don't think we ever dreamed there would be more attacks.

I remember sitting in my fifth-grade classroom, T.V. on. We watched in shock and horror as the cameras shifted to Washington, D.C.--the Pentagon, and then to a field in Pennsylvania. And then, back to the Twin Towers.

I didn't realize they were coming down at first--I thought it was just more smoke, until my teacher said, "They're coming down!" It was surreal, watching those beauties of steel and manpower come down like a stack of cards. It was awful to know the people trapped inside there; it makes my soul ache just to think of it.

I remember the heroes of September 11th. Firefighters. Police officers. United 93. Their courage inspired me; it still does.

I also remember the unity after 9/11. The flags on every street corner; in every window. We were a nation in mourning; but we did indeed mourn with those that mourned, and comforted those in need of comfort. There was renewed faith after 9/11. That unity and patriotism defined my childhood as much as the attacks did. I wish there didn't have to be a disaster to compel us to unity and brotherhood. And there doesn't have to be. We can choose to reach out to those in need, whatever the day.

The memorials and T.V. specials today talked about the children affected--whether by losing loved ones, or just losing innocence. September 11th surely was a defining moment for my generation. And even though we were young, it doesn't mean it didn't affect us. It doesn't mean we don't remember.

We'll have to be the ones to remember. For in time, we'll be the only ones who do remember.

My generation needs to remember the fear, the sorrow, the unity, the healing. We need to remember the heroes who lost their lives so that others could live . . . or at least have a chance to live. We need to remember the sacrifice. We need to remember that God does indeed bless America, and will continue to do so. He'll never leave us alone. Like President Thomas S. Monson eloquently stated in his excellent article in the Washington Post, God "softens the winters in our lives, but He also brightens our summers."

I hope that today we remembered. And that we never forget.

Fourth of July Fun

Here are some videos that just have to be shared.

Like this one. I know I already posted it on my Facebook page, but I believe in sharin' the love:





Never gets old. :)

Also, the classic Schoolhouse Rock:



Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Birthday, America!

Today's a good day to remember.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. . . . And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

"O beautiful for patriot dream which sees beyond the years. Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed His grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!" --Katherine Lee Bates, America the Beautiful 

"O thus be it ever when free men shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation

Blessed with vict'ry and peace, may the heaven-rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must when our cause it is just

And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust!'

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

--Francis Scott Key, The Star-Spangled Banner 

"The longer I live, the more convinced I become that God governs in the affairs of men." -- Benjamin Franklin

Battle of Brooklyn Heights. One of my favorite stories from the Revolutionary War. Miracles happened that day. Read about it here. 

 "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." --Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address 

"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." --Ether 2:12, The Book of Mormon 

Let us remember those who came before us. Those who dreamed, worked, fought, and died to make us free.

Let us stand for liberty, and remember "our father's God . . . author of liberty," and the only Way we can remain free.

Happy Independence Day.

Hope of America

Every year, the Freedom Festival presents the “Hope of America” program. Six thousand 5^th-grade students from around Utah fill the Marriott Center with patriotic music and enthusiasm, and create a giant American flag (see below).

Not this year, but you get the picture. (No pun intended but you can laugh anyway.)

It really is quite stirring.

I’ve been to this performance a few times. I was never in it (I moved to Utah Valley when I was in sixth grade), but all of my siblings were. So, naturally, I know all the music. By heart. However, I don’t know the actions. Therefore—like my sisters tell me—I am a deprived child.

But anyway.

Tonight it was my brother’s year to perform.

While I watched the program, I was touched by the sincerity and optimism of the children’s patriotism. It is good to be reminded of the promise of America—of promises fulfilled, of dreams to come. I am not ashamed to admit that I did feel pride tonight: pride for my country, and pride for the children who sang.

There really is so much good in America. Goodness knows we’re not perfect. There is a lot to improve upon. There is a lot to remember. But there are genuinely good people who desire to hold up the ideals of liberty and justice. There are people who die for to preserve and uphold that liberty. And, there are so many people who live to uphold liberty. My limited, imperfect words can't adequately express my deep love for this nation and its people. 

The children who sang tonight truly are the hope of America. They are the next generation of leaders—those who lead by word, and those who lead by example. They were an example to me tonight. I hope to take their optimism, their willingness to serve, their enthusiasm, and their faith to heart. People say that children teach us the most important things. I believe they do this by helping us remember the important things.