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[Shaanyboi]

The ones that didn't were the ones that saw Brexit and thought "Nah, that could never happen here" while avoiding every single fucking sign around them that America was just as troubled as ever when it came to its attitudes towards marginalized peoples.

 

[Captin Quacker]

France also doesn’t have the racial history of the U.S.

Trump’s nomination and election was how the right chose to assassinate Obama; by destroying his legacy and by putting on a year long show with Russia as stage director.

A racial history trump thrives on to boot

we got people who vote for who ever has an R next to there name. Trump wasn't a fluke, he was inevitable

 

[Dreams-Visions]

America always self correct. What is is it about equality that sends so many into a tailspin? Cause it doesn't just hurt brown folks but everyone.

This is what happens when you intentionally structure your societal hierarchies by economic class, but slather them in race to mask it the true intent. Equality itself becomes the enemy, as it directly and incontrovertibly means less power for the favored race. For some, racial power is the only power they have and they are disinclined to surrender it.

 

[Angelus Errare]

It was, but there was nothing ordaining that the reaction would go as far as it did or manifest itself in quite this way.

You've got something similar going on in France, but Le Pen didn't win.

France and America are apples to oranges.

 

[SolarPowered]

Absolutely

Trump is a system of America's division and centuries long fautlines mostly focused on race and class. On election night I honestly thought we dodged a bullet with Hillary, but before we knew she was doomed I was thinking that Hillary's razor thin victory margin meant the country was due for a proto-despot if the Democrat party didn't start offering real solutions to real problems Americans were facing and that included serious voting/electoral reform to keep the Republican party from wrecking the country beyond repair. A smarter Trump could have done irreparable damage already. We should be glad the Russians and Republican voters backed an idiot this time. We might not be so lucky next time.

 

[thepotatoman]

It was, but there was nothing ordaining that the reaction would go as far as it did or manifest itself in quite this way.

You've got something similar going on in France, but Le Pen didn't win.

Same in Germany from what I hear. They're terrified of AfD's growth. Yes Merkel won, but that doesn't mean AfD is just going to go away now. How they can look at these results and not think they are maybe just a recession or Comey letter away from those people winning next time.

Do people really think if Hillary got 70k more votes, we'd be in the clear of never electing someone like Trump again?

 

[Not]

Insightful article as usual. Is his new book out yet?

 

[B-Dubs]

This is what happens when you intentionally structure your societal hierarchies by economic class, but slather them in race to mask it the true intent. Equality itself becomes the enemy, as it directly and incontrovertibly means less power for the favored race. For some, racial power is the only power they have and they are disinclined to surrender it.

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

 

[Bleepey]

Michael Moore predicted he'd win.

TYT were screaming he could win from the early stages of the democratic primaries. They said democrats prefer Bernie and Trump to her.

 

[B-Dubs]

TYT were screaming he could win from the early stages of the democratic primaries. They said democrats prefer Bernie and Trump to her.

And they all thought the issues were economic in nature. Just because you arrive at the right answer doesn't make your logic correct.

 

[Slayven]

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

Damn don't hurt them with the knowledge drop. It's a complex issue, but at the same time not.

And they all thought the issues were economic in nature. Just because you arrive at the right answer doesn't make your logic correct.

I will say it a thousand times, the right will cut off it's own foot as long as a women or minority loses a leg. North Carolina undid decades of economic build up over the bathroom issue. They are not ruled by policy but hate

 

[kirblar]

TYT were screaming he could win from the early stages of the democratic primaries. They said democrats prefer Bernie and Trump to her.

Yet Democrats massively preferred Hillary to Bernie. Because Democrats are not the party of white rural America. That's the GOP.

 

[Slayven]

Yet Democrats massively preferred Hillary to Bernie. Because Democrats are not the party of white rural America. That's the GOP.

White rural america turned from democrats around 1964, I wonder why?

 

[RoyaleDuke]

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an amazing writer, I really don't think it is a complex issue though as the wonderful post below me outlines.

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

Wow, please preach more.

 

[excelsiorlef]

Hard to take Coates seriously after some of his lazy primary hit pieces that seemed genuinely ghost written but this is good.

Right on cue.

Lol jesus.

 

[The Kree]

Right one cue.

Lol jesus.

I need to see the birth certificate.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Hard to take Coates seriously after some of his lazy primary hit pieces that seemed genuinely ghost written but this is good.

hahaha. nice try.

 

[Crimson_Gold]

Great read

Right one cue.

Lol jesus.

I need to see the birth certificate.

This all seems from Coates' article on Bernie and reparations. It seems like a lifetime ago, but some haven't forgotten that

 

[Vanillalite]

Beyond the obvious racism thing.

There is a group of white working class people and their families that went to Nam despite not wanting to. Then they came back and a subsect of the antiwar movment basically told the foot soliders to fuck off.

In turn many of these working class white soliders and their families vowed never to vote liberal ever again.

 

[Slayven]

Great read





This all seems from Coates' article on Bernie and reparations. It seems like a lifetime ago, but some haven't forgotten that

Some folks will never let the primary go, i hope we avoid relegating it for the 302302030230203 time in this thread

 

[jroc74]

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

Damn.....

 

[Crimson_Gold]

Some folks will never let the primary go, i hope we avoid relegating it for the 302302030230203 time in this thread

To see the way the country exposed its fissures across racial lines, is something. Not because those fissures weren't known, but because people still don't want to accept what happened and why.

 

[Supha_Volt]

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

Damn this is great!!

 

[Slayven]

To see the way the country exposed its fissures across racial lines, is something. Not because those fissures weren't known, but because people still don't want to accept what happened and why.

They accept it, but they don't want to admit it.

Folks rushing to blame identity politics but at the same time saying white people were the only working class was telling.

 

[Mael]

France also doesn’t have the racial history of the U.S.

Trump’s nomination and election was how the right chose to assassinate Obama; by destroying his legacy and by putting on a year long show with Russia as stage director.

France does not have the racial history of the US but it certainly does have one.
Because it's different doesn't mean it's any better or worse.

 

[CrocMother]

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

I don't think you can neatly separate class and race in America. It's true that white supremacy was built into our legal and constitutional frameworks, but it's also true that protections of the ultra wealthy were built in as well. And these are intimately connected.

Systemic racism serves the dual purpose of maintaining a sub-class (people of color) as well as creating divisions between poor whites and POC that keep them from uniting as a revolutionary political force.

The "Founding Fathers" of the US were very conscious of the dangers that such unity among the lower classes could cause to the status quo. They would have all been very familiar and aware of things like Bacon's Rebellion.

1% of the population controls almost 40% of the private wealth in this country. If that's not an oligarchy, than what is?

 

[Crimson_Gold]

They accept it, but they don't want to admit it.

Folks rushing to blame identity politics but at the same time saying white people were the only working class was telling.

WWC votes matter. The other working class already know how it'll go. One group might do something you like, the other one is gonna do something to hurt you

 

[MIMIC]

Well I definitely didn't see shit coming. So I certainly can't claim to be as well-enlightened on the subject. But if anything, it's like the rudest awakening imaginable.

But it's nice to know how little I knew...so I still have a lot more to learn and understand.

 

[Slayven]

I don't think you can neatly separate class and race in America. It's true that white supremacy was built into our legal and constitutional frameworks, but it's also true that protections of the ultra wealthy were built in as well. And these are intimately connected.

Systemic racism serves the dual purpose of maintaining a sub-class (people of color) as well as creating divisions between poor whites and POC that keep them from uniting as a revolutionary political force.

The "Founding Fathers" of the US were very conscious of the dangers that such unity among the lower classes could cause to the status quo. They would have all been very familiar and aware of things like Bacon's Rebellion.

1% of the population controls almost 40% of the private wealth in this country. If that's not an oligarchy, than what is?

Why does it work with poor whites? Cause a lot of them want to lean into that shit.

 

[JCHandsom]

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

Saved for future reference.

 

[MIMIC]

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

Welp, I'm completely cynical about America now.

Great post, BTW.

 

[Nelo Ice]

I kinda disagree with the bolded assertion. What follows isn't entirely meant for you, even though it is a response to the bold, I'm just venting to a certain degree because I'm sick of people saying Trump won due to economics and shit like that. This is mostly meant for them.

At it's core America's divisions aren't economic, like you're implying, they've always been racial. Slavery is America's original sin, not oligarchy. Our primary divisions are based on race and not class, otherwise being a rich black man would be better than being a poor white one. Yet you're more likely to be the subject of violence, especially as inflicted upon you by the state, as the former as opposed to the latter. It's why the Chris Rock joke works, because it's true!

White supremacy has been written into our constitution and legal framework at the molecular level. Beneath everything else, beneath all our other issues, is race. It's intent isn't a classist hierarchy, but a racial one. White people, as a whole, are willing to hurt themselves in order to maintain that hierarchy. It's not about obscuring the true classist struggle, but about that class struggle not actually being at the core of what divides America.

If it was really class above all else we would have been able to solve it by now, but it's not. It's a deeper problem. Social Security originally only went to white people, that's how they got it passed in the first place. Because White America couldn't stand the thought of a Black America getting a taste of what they got. It's why the South abandoned the Democratic party after LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It's why the people who voted for Trump stated their biggest issues were immigration and terrorism, because their real biggest issue is race. Because in the end we are a society built on White Supremacy.

Our elected officials are a reflection of us as a people. They care about what we tell them to care about, it's how they keep their jobs. Now, not everyone will believe that but it's true. There have been studies showing politicians keep, or at least try to keep, the promises they make us because they want to keep their jobs. So they promise us what we want so we give them the jobs they want. It's cynical, but that's how elections work.

There's no secret oligarchy controlling the country. The Kochs of the world only have the power to enrich themselves because the things they care about, outside of their own enrichment, are the things we as a society care about. It's why you can't stop them by pulling back the curtain because there is no curtain to pull back. People literally don't care because they're just richer versions of themselves, they're who they would be if they had enough money to do what they do. Our politics are a reflection of us as a country as are our politicians and their donors because they are us. That's what living in a democracy, or to be more specific, a republic, means.

We idolize the rich, but only the white rich. It's why all the football players taking a knee aren't supposed to, because they're supposed to be grateful to the country--to white America--for allowing them to be rich. The inference is a person of color can only be rich if white people let them. That whatever great things people of color do, it's because white people let them.

This is why, hindsight, Trump was inevitable. Because, in the end, America is a racist, sexist, rich as fuck, dirty-ass son of a bitch. Obama was just the caddie at the country club America is nice to so he doesn't look racist in front of his friends.

God damn preach!. I've been listening to alot of historical and political podcasts recently. And so far like everything you said rings true. Throughout our history white people have kept fucking people of color over and will go out of their way to do so. Like I've learned of so much shit that I would never think of is or was racially motivated. Of course now I'm even more super cynical that white people will ever get their act together. I have to listen to some happier subject matter in between pods since I just want to punch something everytime I listen to how badly people of color are fucked over by white people.

 

[Isaac Otherworld]

Yet Democrats massively preferred Hillary to Bernie. Because Democrats are not the party of white rural America. That's the GOP.

The Democrats who voted for Hillary in the primary preferred to lose with Hillary rather than win with Bernie.

It seems only TYT saw him coming. Once they started taking him seriously, they were screaming he could win.

Oddly enough, the first time I heard someone say Trump could win the 2016 election (Aside from me of course) was some weird Charisma channel on Youtube that dissected how Trump defines his opponents and how easily Hillary Clinton let's others define her in arguments.

This video of Keith Ellison is telling. He seems clairvoyant in retrospect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHkPadFK34o

This guy doesn't understand the Electorate though. Better elect a worthless do nothing flunky like Tom Perez to run the DNC even further into the ground.

 

[Mael]

The Democrats who voted for Hillary in the primary preferred to lose with Hillary rather than win with Bernie.

Yes the people who voted for Clinton totally saw her losing, that's why they voted for her.

 

[Isaac Otherworld]

Yes the people who voted for Clinton totally saw her losing, that's why they voted for her.

I saw the warning signs. What's their excuse?

 

[Crimson_Gold]

I saw the warning signs. What's their excuse?

You see how there's the whole issue of patriotism and flag stuff going on? Can you imagine what a democratic socialist that vacationed in Russia would have been subject to? There were no guarantees on this election

 

[Mael]

I saw the warning signs. What's their excuse?

So you're telling me that to beat an outsider with a rhetoric that "career politicians are bad" instead of sending someone with 20 years in the system you send somehow with 40 years of experience?
There's so many angle to destroy Sanders' appeal it's not even funny.
On top of that you saw the warning signs of an electoral college upset?
I'm gonna ask what you see for next year's election then!

 

[B-Dubs]

I saw the warning signs. What's their excuse?

Again, economics were not why Trump won. He won because America is a racist son of a bitch. Bernie wouldn't have changed that, that you think he would have says more about you than anything else.

 

[TarNaru33]

I saw him coming though. Y'all didn't listen.

I wish I can say the same

I did see Hillary as a weaker candidate to run against him than Bernie, does that count as being partially right?

Again, economics were not why Trump won. He won because America is a racist son of a bitch. Bernie wouldn't have changed that, that you think he would have says more about you than anything else.

He won because people hated Hillary AND because they were incredibly racist lol.

So you're telling me that to beat an outsider with a rhetoric that "career politicians are bad" instead of sending someone with 20 years in the system you send somehow with 40 years of experience?
There's so many angle to destroy Sanders' appeal it's not even funny.
On top of that you saw the warning signs of an electoral college upset?
I'm gonna ask what you see for next year's election then!

I don't think you understand why people consider Hillary part of the establishment while not considering Bernie to be one despite him being a politician for so long. People tend to vote and think things with their feelings over facts, so it is very understandable.

There were plenty of warning signs about the election, so I am not sure why you seem to be doubting him there. There were some polls that even stated while Hillary was in the lead, she wasn't far in the lead where it is automatically decided, but everyone ignored those.

 

[KernelPanic]

He won because America is a racist son of a bitch

One thing I can't understand(not from USA) but if the US is so racist then how did Obama ever get elected(twice)?

 

[pigeon]

One thing I can't understand(not from USA) but if the US is so racist then how did Obama ever get elected(twice)?

I recommend reading the article this thread is about, which discusses this very question.

 

[Mael]

Finished reading,
It's a bit grim I'd say but then again Mr Coates is in no way obligated to find solutions to problems that the country failed to address for the last 400 years.
Regardless of who won anyway, it's pretty clear from the innocuous act of kneeling to BLM protests without forgetting so much more that the US is not ready to face its true face.
I hail from the self styled "Country of Human Rights" and till even now I can't help but laugh at the mere notion that it is what the country actually stands for.
I never imagined that the US had the same disconnect for what it claims to stand for.
Literally everything is a lie about it.
Where do we go from that?

I don't think you understand why people consider Hillary part of the establishment while not considering Bernie to be one despite him being a politician for so long. People tend to vote and think things with their feelings over facts, so it is very understandable.

There were plenty of warning signs about the election, so I am not sure why you seem to be doubting him there. There were some polls that even stated while Hillary was in the lead, she wasn't far in the lead where it is automatically decided, but everyone ignored those.

The guy didn't even manage to enthuse people who were close to him politically, there's no scenario where that guy does better after the GoP throw everything they have against him.
People didn't vote for Clinton because they were the only ones who didn't know any better, it's frankly insulting to even hint at that.
If we are to entertain that they voted for Clinton for anything but what her proposal were, we can do the same for pretty much every candidate and claim that silly bird was really why they "felt the Bern" or whatever.

 

[B-Dubs]

One thing I can't understand(not from USA) but if the US is so racist then how did Obama ever get elected(twice)?

Like I said at the end of my big long post: "Obama's the caddie at the country club America was nice to so his friends don't think he's racist."

White America turned on Obama the second he reminded them he's black. You can literally see the poll numbers drop after his comments on the Travon Martin murder.

Also, read the article in the OP.

Finished reading,
It's a bit grim I'd say but then again Mr Coates is in no way obligated to find solutions to problems that the country failed to address for the last 400 years.
Regardless of who won anyway, it's pretty clear from the innocuous act of kneeling to BLM protests without forgetting so much more that the US is not ready to face its true face.
I hail from the self styled "Country of Human Rights" and till even now I can't help but laugh at the mere notion that it is what the country actually stands for.
I never imagined that the US had the same disconnect for what it claims to stand for.
Literally everything is a lie about it.
Where do we go from that?

We do what everyone who came before us did: we fight to make it better. Maybe you get an inch, maybe you don't. Maybe all you can do is set up the next guy and make sure he's in a position to get an inch. But you fight because that's all there is.

 

[TarNaru33]

One thing I can't understand(not from USA) but if the US is so racist then how did Obama ever get elected(twice)?

That is exactly why people saying "its just because of racism" do not make sense. Many of the people who voted Trump were definitely Obama voters as well.

Granted there was an upswing in rural voting (which are typically white and conservative) than before and it is definitely due in part to racism. This and the Comey letters destroyed Clinton's chances of winning.

 

[B-Dubs]

That is exactly why people saying "its just because of racism" do not make sense. Many of the people who voted Trump were definitely Obama voters as well.

Granted there was an upswing in rural voting (which are typically white and conservative) than before and it is definitely due in part to racism. This and the Comey letters destroyed Clinton's chances of winning.

Bull. Look at Obama's poll numbers before and after Travon Martin. White people abandoned him enmass after that. He's also the most charismatic politician since Kennedy.

Look at what the Trump voters who flipped say they care about: terrorism and immigration. Not the economy, they care about terrorism and immigration. Trump lost everyone who said they cared about the economy.

The facts bear this out. It wasn't the economy, it was race.

 

[CrocMother]

Bull. Look at Obama's poll numbers before and after Travon Martin. White people abandoned him enmass after that.

Not trying to derail your overall point but it's worth pointing out Obama won an election after his comments on Trayvon Martin.

The facts bear this out. It wasn't the economy, it was race.

It was both. The racial aspect is underplayed, and a bigger issue, which is why I appreciate your points. But you can't neatly separate them like that.

 

[B-Dubs]

Not trying to derail your overall point but it's worth pointing out Obama won an election after his comments on Trayvon Martin.

He's also the most charismatic dude ever. Again, look at what the voters who flipped to Trump say they care about.

EDIT: Also, he didn't say "Travon could have been my son" until the following year, if my memory serves.

 

[excelsiorlef]

I don't think you can neatly separate class and race in America. It's true that white supremacy was built into our legal and constitutional frameworks, but it's also true that protections of the ultra wealthy were built in as well. And these are intimately connected.

Systemic racism serves the dual purpose of maintaining a sub-class (people of color) as well as creating divisions between poor whites and POC that keep them from uniting as a revolutionary political force.

The "Founding Fathers" of the US were very conscious of the dangers that such unity among the lower classes could cause to the status quo. They would have all been very familiar and aware of things like Bacon's Rebellion.

1% of the population controls almost 40% of the private wealth in this country. If that's not an oligarchy, than what is?

If you fixed all the "economic anxiety" the GOP will still win the White vote (shit they'd probably win a slightly higher percentage)... the lack of solidarity doesn't come from economy it comes from morality.

Racism doesn't get cured by white people having more money.

Not trying to derail your overall point but it's worth pointing out Obama won an election after his comments on Trayvon Martin.



It was both. The racial aspect is underplayed which is why I appreciate your points. But you can't neatly separate them like that.

His most significant comments came in 2013.

 

[Mael]

We do what everyone who came before us did: we fight to make it better. Maybe you get an inch, maybe you don't. Maybe all you can do is set up the next guy and make sure he's in a position to get an inch. But you fight because that's all there is.

Well I guess nothing worth fighting for is ever easy.
I guess at least now we're down one more excuse, they're bound to run out at some point.
If that orange clown didn't win we wouldn't see the US face its racist past more than before.
I'll take the removal of the traitors' statues as a win at least.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is right, we do love struggling!

 

[excelsiorlef]

It's sad how in many ways Obama has become America's Black Friend.