From manifest destiny to American exceptionalism and an indispensable nation, Americans have been sold a steaming pile of excrement, aka shit.
We’re taught it was our manifest destiny to takeover and occupy this land from sea to shining sea, never mind the indigenous people we had to shove aside or kill to do so.
We’re told Americans are exceptional—make that white Americans. Not just exceptional but rugged individuals, islands unto ourselves. Wow. Exceptional to whom? No one.
We’re told America is the indispensable nation. Translated that means our nation is above all others and they can’t survive without us.
Chutzpah or hubris? Both.
With thinking like that can we ever have peace? Will we ever learn that the only thing exceptional about us is our ability to crush other people and their countries; that we are neither rugged individuals nor islands unto ourselves? As humans, we are social beings and need others as much as they need us—if only we could put the race thing aside and embrace all our sisters and brothers. Can we replace destructive hatred of each other with love? As John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote, “All you need is love. Love is all you need.”
As for that indispensable nation madness, no nation is indispensable. That belief has led the US to become the hegemonic rogue nation.
None of this has to be this way. When the need arises, most of us don’t hesitate to go to the aid of our families, friends and even strangers. Why not do the same for our country?
Bev Conover is the editor and publisher of Intrepid Report. Email her at editor@intrepidreport.com.
thank you, Bev for now and always being so clear and on target!