The last hundred years has provided unequivocal evidence to everyone in the world that heterosexual white males are not the superior beings many once thought. When given the opportunity, people of color, women, and LGBTQ people have demonstrated the reality that talent, intelligence, ingenuity, strength, courage, and moral decency are not bestowed in greater abundance upon any particular race or sex among people. Biology confirms that beneath the color of our skin, we are in fact one species, making race a purely social construct. And to top it off, biology and neuroscience have shattered the mythical binary of male and female, revealing a sex and gender spectrum that can be seen both in the genetic code, the obstetrician’s observation, and in brain activity. However, these revelations present an existential threat to sub-par heterosexual white males and the weak women who covet their protection.
Many of these people view Donald Trump and his policies as a way to turn back the clock to a time when male whiteness was superior and deserving of the opportunities and privileges afforded only to them. They justified their genocide of native Americans to steal their lands and their enslavement of blacks to steal their freedom, labor, and dignity by believing, despite all evidence, that others were inherently inferior to themselves and therefore slightly less human. The reality is that they had more lethal weapons at their disposal and a propensity to use them.
But over time, through undeniable accomplishments, protests, perseverance, courage, heartache and even bloodshed, the myth of white male superiority crumbled. Everyone could clearly see that capability, creativity and courage are traits spread across humanity irrespective of race, gender, or sexual orientation. For a season, particularly within the U.S., progress toward a more equitable and inclusive country was being made. Our diversity was finally being appreciated for the strength it actually is. Although we were not yet a perfect Union, discrimination laws were overturned, the doors to opportunities were opening, and historic impediments to success were being remedied. For the first time, the historically oppressed with the talent, intelligence, creativity, energy, and ambition could finally climb the ladder of success. And many of them did to the silent chagrin of some less talented, less creative, and less ambitious white folks. For the first time, white male heterosexuals were required to compete for societal positions they once assumed belonged only to them. Envy and insecurity along with the pushback against this progress was inevitable.
I think the tipping point for many white people was not only the accension, but the intelligence, grace, and success of Barack Obama and his family when they occupied the highest seat of power on the planet, the White House. Their core belief in the supremacy of whiteness was not only challenged but threatened. The candidacy of Hillary Clinton after Obama further challenged and threatened the supremacy of their maleness. It shocked the system’s progress when Donald Trump, a clearly inferior candidate in intelligence, creativity, and basic decency was elected. He was a terrible president, but he along with the racist and misogynist in the country refused to give up their dream of reclaiming their domination. It came as no surprise to me that it took another white male in 2020 to defeat Trump. And perhaps 2024 was too soon to expect a white change of heart.
Despite the objective reality that Kamala Harris was smarter, wiser, more experienced, and clearly a better human being, Donald Trump defeated her in 2024. Although there is speculation that he won through voter suppression, lies, and perhaps other election rigging tactics, he is once again the president. It’s regrettable that more eligible voters declined to vote than voted for either candidate. And those who voted for Trump cited the desire for lower prices as a shield from admitting that they couldn’t bring themselves to vote for a woman of color. The depth of the racism and misogyny at work has become evident in the days following the election. Not among the masses, but among the MAGA loyalists who embody about 30% of the American population.
The cruelty and chaos we are experiencing today is their last-ditch effort to turn back the progress we have made toward a more equitable society. They want the good ole days back when white men held all the reins of power and had first dibs on the best opportunities. They covet the jobs that don’t require an education but pay them enough to live. The men want women to return to being subservient to them and for people of color to fear them. They want LGBTQ folks back in the closet. Trump wants to dominate and so do they.
What we are witnessing is what some are calling, “extinction burst”. It’s a temper tantrum that happens when a child realizes he will not get his way. It’s like the child who viciously breaks everything in sight until he wears himself out. Trump and MAGA are those children. We see it in their constant rage against women, against immigrants of color, and against transgender folks. It’s amplified in the ridiculous unconstitutional executive orders and the discriminatory policies being thrust upon us. It’s the bullying, the firings, the book banning, and even the tariffs. It’s their last-ditch effort to force acceptance of their mythical white male supremacy. But we stand tall and simply refuse.
They can burn every history book and confiscate every video and close every museum door, but the truth is here to stay because it lives in the heart of decent people throughout the entire world who aren’t going to bend the knee. We are using our rational adult voices for progress and in defense of our constitutional rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are protesting in the streets, taking them to court, and showing up at their town halls. Some are putting their bodies between ICE agents and their would-be victims.
Rational Americans aren’t going to allow these petulant children to remove our due process, our freedom to speak, nor our freedom to assemble. Their temper tantrum is being met by the adults in the room who refuse to relent. And in the end, they will relent.
So, I’m hopeful because I’m convinced that rational citizens, together with the courts and world leaders, will make sure that Trump and his MAGA followers will be denied the white male dominion they seek. I’m just hoping the “extinction burst” ends sooner rather than later because they are breaking a whole lot of stuff and the clean-up isn’t going to be easy.