Demographic Anxiety: Exposing the Threat of White Nationalism to Democracy and Inclusion

Photo by Alex Vámos on Unsplash

In recent years, we have witnessed a disturbing surge in the resistance against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. This resistance isn’t driven by a noble cause but rather by a group of conservative white nationalists grappling with a perceived loss of power and privilege. Their unwavering commitment to sustaining white supremacy has led them to forsake democratic values, the Constitution, and the fundamental principles upon which this nation was founded.

Within the mindset of this small yet radical right-wing faction, we can discern a troubling strategy aimed at obstructing the inclusion of anyone who is not a white nationalist and who represent diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

Demographic anxiety is an old phenomenon. Principally, it is a fear of the ‘wrong’ kind of people multiplying and becoming the new majority, while the ‘right’ kind of people lose out and end up as a minority, or else disappear altogether (Eurozine.com).

Here are some unmistakable indicators:

1. Obstruction of Inclusive Public Policy: They vehemently oppose policies designed to empower historically marginalized communities, ensuring they have a say in shaping public policy, legal frameworks, and civil society.
2. Suppressing Diverse Voices: Extreme measures are taken to marginalize and silence thought leaders who champion inclusive change and a democratic society.
3. Bullying and Harassment: Their tactics include bullying and harassment campaigns against companies, leaders, and change agents at the forefront of transformative change.
4. Voter Suppression and Redistricting: Efforts to restrict and diminish the influence of BIPOC voices are evident through voter suppression and manipulative redistricting.
5. Undermining Constitutional Principles: They appoint political leaders who are willing to disregard constitutional principles, established precedents, and informed analysis to further their agenda of marginalization and silencing dissent.
6. Smear Campaigns: Employing chess-like strategies, they attack progressive companies and organizations to falsely portray them as being influenced by left-wing anarchists.
7. Erasing Historical Truths: They seek to eliminate educational programs that shed light on the true history of America, including the systems, practices, and programs that were designed to favor white privilege.
8. Suppressing Independent Thought: They buy out the influence of independent-minded black conservatives, subverting their voices in favor of white nationalist objectives.
9. Attacking Multiple Dimensions of Difference: Their attacks target multiple dimensions of difference, including race, sexual orientation, gender, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and immigration, particularly those from the southern border who are more likely to be people of color.
10. Advocating Autocracy Over Democracy: White nationalists often advocate for autocratic systems over democratic ones. This shift towards autocracy concentrates power in the hands of a small group of elite, predominantly white leaders, undermining the principles of equality and representation.
11. Misleading White Working-Class People: White nationalists employ deceptive tactics to mislead white working-class individuals, falsely suggesting that DEI initiatives erode their interests. By manipulating these concerns, they divert attention away from the real issues and perpetuate division within society.
12. Amplifying Replacement Theory: White nationalists often amplify the baseless “replacement theory,” which falsely claims that white populations are being intentionally replaced by people of color through immigration and higher birth rates. This unfounded narrative fuels fear and division, furthering their agenda of exclusion and promoting discrimination against minority communities.

These points underscore the insidious tactics used by white nationalists to maintain their grip on power and privilege while undermining the values of democracy, equality, and inclusion.

The endgame of these white nationalists is abundantly clear. To protect their waning privilege, they are willing to dismantle democracy, forsake constitutional principles, violate accepted norms, and ruthlessly destroy any progressive thought leader who dares to stand in their way.

So, what can we do to safeguard democracy, honor the will of all the people, and curb the influence of this small yet powerful and affluent group of white nationalists?

Here are some potential remedies:

1. Strengthen Voting Rights: Advocate for comprehensive voting rights reforms to counteract voter suppression tactics and ensure every citizen’s voice is heard.
2. Promote Civic Education: Support educational programs that teach the unvarnished truth about American history, including its systemic biases and injustices.
3. Foster Inclusive Leadership: Encourage organizations to promote diversity at all levels of leadership, ensuring that voices from all backgrounds are heard and valued.
4. Counter Misinformation: Combat misinformation and disinformation campaigns with accurate, evidence-based information that fosters understanding and empathy.
5. Community Building: Facilitate community dialogues and initiatives that bring people from different backgrounds together to build bridges of understanding.
6. Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Push for policies that promote equity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity for all, regardless of their background or identity.
7. Hold Elected Officials Accountable: Hold elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions that may undermine democracy and inclusivity.

By actively pursuing these remedies, we can work toward a society where diversity and inclusion are not only valued but are also integral to the preservation of our democracy and the betterment of our nation.

Effenus Henderson