Accusing Anti-Racism Activists of Hating Our Country Proves Critical Race Theory
By: Walter Rhein
Tags: BlackLivesMatter, Racism, Republicans, Patriotism, Equality

Accusing Anti-Racism Activists of Hating Our Country Proves Critical Race Theory

Photo by Mier Chen on Unsplash

The other day my boss came up to me at work and said, “Hey, these quarterly reports are great, but I’d like to give you a few suggestions to make them even better.”

I replied, “You just HATE me and you HATE my quarterly reports. You’re also a disrespectful socialist who despises America and disrespects the US military.”

I then stormed out of there, drove my black Ford F-150 to the shooting range and annihilated a copy of the Communist Manifesto with my red, white, and blue AR-15.

As absurd as that scenario sounds, it’s not a lot different than the real critical backlash writers receive every time they publish a historically accurate, research based article about any of the numerous atrocities most US citizens know nothing about.

Since when does criticizing the actions of one murderous individual or organization represent an attack on an entire society? At its foundation, that idea is laughably absurd. Yet somehow, conservative pundits attempt to make this connection all the time.

In reality, insisting that people “hate America” when they speak the truth about the past is just another mechanism of control. Your true friends aren’t “yes men” who shower you with praise even when you don’t deserve it. True friends are those that care enough to have the courage to tell the truth.

Misdirection is a common tactic of manipulators

A person who insists that you are less than human and who wants to remain in a position of control, will not even show you the courtesy of an honest debate. Deflecting to absurd insults is a way to ensure their position of power remains uncontested.

Manipulators want to avoid being confronted and having to take responsibility at all costs. They may avoid conversations about their behavior by simply refusing to discuss it. This might be combined with an attack, like “You’re always nagging me,” putting you on the defensive with blame, guilt, or shame — Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT, Toxic Relationships, Covert Tactics Manipulators Use to Control and Confuse You

This is the tactic of an irresponsible coward. It comes from a similar place as the psychology of men who are so pathetic that they resort to acts of physical abuse against their partner.

It’s simply a malicious lie to say that people “hate America.” That’s a nonsensical thing to say. That prominent politicians who hold positions of tremendous power resort to this kind of juvenile messaging in pitiful attempts to smear their opponents proves they’re unfit to hold power.

It has become a conservative buzzword

If you listen to conservatives talk, it’s as if they’re warning us about the apocalypse. Take this fire and brimstone introduction to a column written to, of course, attack the 1619 Project.

Anti-Americanism has spread across college campuses like a wildfire, igniting rage and resentment against anything perceived as oppressive — even the American flag. As a result, most universities would likely shy away from a celebration of our nation’s founding in favor of more “inclusive” events — Anthony Jones, My generation is being raised to hate America — it’s time to stand up for our history

There’s so many contradictions in this brief block of text that it’s difficult to respond. First of all, there’s the question of whether or not “anti-Americanism” even exists in the United States. The author of this paragraph insists it’s a fact, even though he cites no evidence.

Then he goes on to say it’s spreading “like a wildfire.” Well, what does that mean exactly? Are buildings scorched? Is there ash in the air? How exactly is “anti-Americanism” like a “wildfire?”

He goes on to say that anti-Americanism is “igniting rage against anything perceived as oppressive.” Wait a minute, is he suggesting that’s a bad thing? As Americans aren’t we supposed to be fighting oppression? Isn’t oppression anti-American?

As a final insult he puts the word “inclusive” in quotation marks. Can you feel the author’s rage? It’s as if the idea of including anyone in anything is beyond offensive.

It’s pretty revealing when an individual insists any effort to combat injustice and racism represents an attack on the America that s/he loves.

The right conflates “racism” with America

The irony in all of this is that the “you hate America” accusation proves Critical Race Theory is true. If an attack on racism is seen as an attack on America, then, obviously, conservatives feel racism represents a fundamental part of our history and institutions.

Calls for racial accountability can feel like an attack when you aren’t ready to acknowledge how your behavior, or that of your ancestors, has harmed others. When your priority is to preserve a particular mythology — the United States as a land of equal opportunity — the push to take a critical view of the United States’ racial history becomes a threat. It might result in a real rethinking of the order of things, which might result in culpability, which might result in recognition that recompense is needed. (Hm, recompense — sounds like “reparations,” a subject America remains unwilling to touch with a 10-foot pole.) — Christine Emba, Opinion: Why conservatives really fear critical race theory

It’s not called “Critical America Theory.” It’s called “Critical Race Theory.” Nobody hates America, we hate racism!

Conservatives are smart enough to understand this, but the kicker is that they don’t want to understand. They like racism. But because they know they can’t defend racism, they contort the argument and try to make it seem like they’re defending America.

Lost on them is the irony that they’re creating a perfect case study for the importance of studying “Critical Race Theory.” Scholars and members of the media need to start asking the loaded question, “Why do conservatives interpret attacks on racism as attacks on America?”

False accusations are the favorite play of the Republicans

Here’s a quick test. If you can find a quote of an American politician or media personality claiming his/her opponent hates America, you know that politician is a moron.

Here’s one from Trump:

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday defended his attacks against four Democratic congresswomen, saying he was not concerned if people thought his tweets toward them were racist and accused the U.S. lawmakers of hating America. “As far as I’m concerned if you hate our country, if you’re not happy here, you can leave,” Trump said at an event at the White House — Reuters Staff, Trump accuses Democratic congresswomen of hating America, says they can leave

Here’s one from Ted Cruz (of course):

Here’s Tucker Carlson’s response to some clips where individuals expressed concern over the racist history of our nation.

These people are liars. They’re the same people who spent the last month telling you that the riots you saw live on television were actually peaceful protests against racism. That was a lie. They knew it was a lie when they said it, but they said it anyway in order to undermine a country that they hate — Tucker Carlson: Can the left really lead a country it hates?

That second paragraph from Carlson is almost painfully hypocritical considering how much time he spent defending the Capitol Hill terrorists.

Never once, to my knowledge, did Carlson accuse the individuals who destroyed government property, killed a police officer, and threatened to hang the vice-president of “hating America.”

Saying “You hate America!” is an attack on America

The next time a police officer pulls you over for speeding, try accusing them of “hating America” because you have freedom and that gives you the right to do anything you want.

The next time your child fails a test, make sure they accuse the teacher of “hating America” and that your child’s love of country prevented them from regurgitating baseless lies.

In fact, anytime you talk to anyone, just start with the question, “Why do you hate America?” and before they have time to respond, helpfully hold up your finger and say, “Let me answer that for you.”

Accusing somebody of “hating America” is a power move that’s designed to go nowhere. It’s purpose is to smear. It’s deployed in order to put an end to any reasonable discourse.

Insisting that somebody “hates America,” is a meaningless comment meant to stop the free and democratic exchange of ideas. It’s an action that shows absolute contempt for everything the United States of America claims to represent.