Sustaining White Advantage: The Mantra of White Nationalist Resistance
In recent years, the United States has witnessed an alarming surge in radical far-right white nationalist movements, marked by an aggressive pushback against diversity and inclusivity. At the core of this movement lies a mantra of resistance, a meticulously planned and executed strategy aimed at preserving what they perceive as “white advantage.” This strategy, grounded in historical narratives dating back centuries, encompasses multiple fronts, including racial, class, economic, political, and immigration advantages.
These efforts have sought to stall the inclusion of people of color, mislead working-class white individuals, and maintain control over the levers of power in American society. However, these architects of resistance failed to anticipate one critical factor — the inevitable browning of America. As demographic shifts continue to accelerate, their quest for sustaining advantage has driven them to undermine democratic principles and laws. This essay will delve into the multifaceted strategy of resistance and its implications for American democracy.
The Historical Foundations of Resistance
The roots of the resistance strategy can be traced back to the Doctrine of Discovery, a legal framework that European royalty and the Catholic Church employed to justify exploring expeditions to the Americas in the 15th century. This doctrine not only legitimized colonization but also set the stage for the imposition of European cultural, economic, and political dominance. The seeds of racial, class, economic, political, and immigration advantages were sown during this era, laying the groundwork for future resistance.
Racial Advantage and the Stalling of Inclusion
Central to the resistance strategy is the preservation of racial advantage. White nationalists seek to thwart the inclusion and empowerment of people of color in American society. This is manifested through efforts to suppress voting rights, undermine affirmative action, and perpetuate systemic racism. By maintaining racial hierarchies, they aim to secure their perceived advantages.
Class Advantage and Misleading the Working Class
The architects of resistance have skillfully exploited class divisions by misleading working-class white men into believing that their interests align with the far-right agenda. In reality, these working-class individuals often have the most to lose from policies that benefit the wealthy elite. This manipulation of class dynamics serves to strengthen the white nationalist movement.
Economic Advantage and Retaining Power
Economic advantage plays a pivotal role in the resistance strategy. White nationalists have worked diligently to retain control over the economy and limit access to privileged classes. By championing policies that benefit the wealthy and maintain income inequality, they secure economic dominance as a means to perpetuate their overall advantage.
Political Advantage and Gerrymandering
To maintain political advantage, white nationalists have strategically constructed voting districts that favor white populations and marginalize the influence of people of color. Gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics have been employed to ensure that political power remains concentrated in their hands.
Immigration Advantage and Marginalizing People of Color
The architects of resistance have also manipulated immigration policies to favor the migration of white individuals while marginalizing people of color. This discriminatory approach to immigration reinforces the existing racial disparities and bolsters their advantage.
The Browning of America
Despite their efforts, the white nationalist movement failed to anticipate the demographic shifts occurring in the United States. Birth and immigration rates of black and brown populations have accelerated, signaling a future in which these groups will hold greater power, influence, and control than ever before in American history. This demographic shift has created anxiety among white nationalists, leading them to intensify their efforts to sustain their advantage.
Decimating Democratic Practices and Laws
To uphold their perceived advantage, white nationalists have been willing to compromise democratic practices and laws. Efforts to suppress voting rights, manipulate the judiciary, and erode civil liberties have become alarmingly common. The very foundations of American democracy are under threat as these architects of resistance prioritize their own interests over the principles of equality, justice, and representation.
Conclusion
The mantra of resistance, aimed at sustaining white advantage, has driven radical far-right white nationalists to adopt a multifaceted strategy spanning racial, class, economic, political, and immigration fronts. While rooted in historical narratives, this resistance movement failed to anticipate the inevitable browning of America. In response, they have played a dangerous chess game, undermining democratic practices and laws to maintain their perceived advantage.
The implications of this strategy are far-reaching, challenging the very essence of American democracy and its commitment to equality and diversity. As the nation grapples with these forces, it is essential to confront the divisive ideologies of resistance and work towards a more inclusive, equitable, and united future.
Effenus Henderson
