Blue Canary

Francis raised the question, "What can justify such legislation (the Chinese Exclusion Act, et cetera) to educated ... [professed-religious] men?" I'll give you a second to try to think of your own answer, or you can just scroll down now to read my opinion (yes, opinion - agendas, agendas, agendas, and neither am I omnipotent on the subject, I'm relating as I'm learning. I suppose the Houyhnhnms might pardon it for that cause).

It seems to just boil down to conservative nationalism.

These men, these white legislators, had a particular view of America and it was white. They believed they were doing an honest service by protecting that ideal. I don't believe that they were attempting to be racist and against the Chinese and other Asian immigrants, but in their minds they were for the "civilized whites" that the land had been "manifestly destined" for, without any particular malice. There is also the instinct of a fear of the foreign and unknown. Compounded with the white ideal, too many strangers from another shore could cause a bit of a legislative panic concerning what was happening, and what could happen, to the country. Despite the argument, "didn't they realize that America was founded on immigration," they did realize that it was built upon mainly European emigration and could even cite their own family histories as evidence. The influx of persons from Asia (whole of East Asia and the "Middle East") really was far removed from their family histories of immigration in their minds. Even going back to the story of the boys with the machetes, they obviously believed it was a good thing to be such extreme vigilantes because their parents probably were heavily against Mexican emigration to the United States (a case of the "mob mentality" was also an expedient to this - had it not been a group, it probably wouldn't have happened).

But the "reasons" aren't excuses and don't make the behaviors right. They don't condone and pardone such actions. So don't get me wrong there and blame me for rationalizing discrimination and violence. We need to attempt to understand opinions and motivations rather than just slapping on an all-encompassing label of hate as a reason for anything. As Frances said, if something is "just evil," it "paralyzes discussion" and no one gets anywhere in trying to solve the problem and prevent a similar one in the future. Furthermore, even if you do slap on "hatred," when you think about it, even that has a larger context and must be motivated by something else.

Francis also questioned us, "is there really equality" as professed in America? More specifically, "if you're alienated by your race, sex, et cetera, can you really be treated equally?"

First, let's think about the dynamics of power in the country. Money is one of the greatest equalizing factors, it seems, since if you have enough of it your past is forgotten, and you can even cover up scandals of your present. Now, on how the democracy works - the majority rules for the general population, right? Which implies that the minority loses. (Yes, obvious, move on, where am I going with this?) Well, with the label of a "minority" group in America... the word has the impact of giving you the impression you'll never get ahead with the "majority," the whites, doesn't it? Don't argue with me on how "that's not how it works, it's the majority of votes, blah blah blah electoral college blah blah blah more big phrases," I'm talking about the power of interpretation. The minority groups are the minority of the population, and when linked to the "majority rules" dissection, it really does carry defeating baggage.

Seemingly depressing. Seemingly encourage any "minorities" reading this to give up and to simply be subjected to white rule. But that's not my agenda for today. Remember, knowledge is power. Having the information enables everyone to fight a racial hierarchy. Regardless of your race as a citizen here, you're an American - don't openly, willingly label yourself a "minority," you'll be seen as less significant. But American as a whole - there's the equality. No race.

There is no "race."