Several occasions seem symptomatic of sociopolitical malaise affecting Americans lately. University of Texas Professor Dr. Kathleen McElroy was offered and had accepted a full-time, tenure-track position by Texas A&M University to resurrect their Journalism Department. She was subsequently offered non-tenure-track and at-will employment, a slap in the face of her professorial experience and extensive work at The New York Times.
The pressure to proffer such a degrading offer to a proven professional was induced by a right-wing group of “concerned” (i.e., white) A&M supporters. Professor McElroy is African American.
Texas A&M Pharmacy Professor Joy Alonzo was suspended for making “critical statements” about Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. In a lecture Alonzo pointed out Patrick’s blocked legislation to legalize fentanyl test strips that would potentially save lives from opioid deaths. Patrick shames Texas. He supposedly went to Israel to be baptized in the Jordan River by total submersion. Apparently, he was not submerged long enough to let real “Christianity” soak in.
Another inanity was a Laredo lawn sign reading “Teach the ABCs, not CRT”, demonstrating someone duped by conspiracy theories or obsessive binging on FOX falsehoods; utterly ridiculous, since our city is 96% ethnic Mexican. Critical Race Theory, the idea that racism is imbedded in American society is undeniable and very much alive. CRT is a subject typically covered in advanced college sociology or law classes. It’s very doubtful the person displaying this sign is in any way in touch with reality.
Another recent occurrence evinced a seventy-year-old retired high school teacher displaying a pistol in her purse, followed by the baseless statement that she is afraid because Mexico is releasing criminals from their prisons and sending them to the border, saying “I’m 100% pro-Trump and will write him in even if he’s not nominated.” Her husband additionally asserted disappointment that a border wall was not built for miles up- and down-river from Laredo. These otherwise very decent Mexican American Laredoans expressed fearful talk points of those falling for Trumpian propaganda, ignoring the inhumanity and harm such ideas project.
Greg Abbott’s absurd Operation Lone Star, with its razor wire and dayglo orange “floaties” highlighted the political stunts to ingratiate himself with extremist like-thinkers, pandering votes from non-border denizens. Speaking of political buffoonery, Ron DeSantis also went to Eagle Pass to have his “macho man” picture taken on a mandatory boat ride, making a mockery of Texas and a fool of himself.
A few days ago, a non-law enforcement man walked into a family restaurant wearing a leather shoulder holster over his street clothes, a pistol under one armpit and two ammo magazines under the other. Several customers showed concern. He assured the owner, “Soy persona responsible.” Sure, thanks to our governor, it is perfectly legal to “open carry”, that is, openly demonstrate trading brains and decency for a gun.
A local crank recently posted glee that Governor Abbott signed the bill prohibiting mandatory water and rest breaks every four hours for outdoor laborers and construction workers because he did not like “paying $15/hour for people to rest in the shade.” Apparently, he has never picked cantaloupes in south Webb County or laid asphalt on Laredo streets. I suggest he try it without drinking water for four hours.
Lutheran cleric Dietrich Bonhoeffer resided in New York. He returned to his native Germany in the 1940s to speak and write against Nazism. He was arrested, spent over two years in prison, then was executed on Adolf Hitler’s orders. Reverend Bonhoeffer wrote prolifically about Christianity, philosophy, and ethics. An excerpt from his “Letters and Papers from Prison” seems appropriate concerning current events and the thinking of the willfully blind:
“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplishes anything here; reason falls on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable, they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”
America’s freedoms are promised to all citizens. The liberties of democracy are not something “out there” that will automatically correct the country’s shortcomings. This democracy must be sought, and it takes endeavor and determination to enjoy its liberties. Citizens must participate actively by voting for representation by true servants of the people, not power-hungry politicos or their MAGA fanatics ranting hate and instilling fear. There are many true Republican conservative thinkers. Many freedom-loving Americans seek revenge for the evil wrought by Trump’s hatemongering and his fanatic base. To be sure, accountability by the perpetrators of malevolent acts and their instigators are in order. To strengthen our nation’s freedoms requires making examples of them, but through legal justice, not violence. Our Constitution guarantees civil liberties for all citizens, not just a chosen few. It is imperative citizens be informed; an educated public guarantees true government “of the people, by the people, (and) for the people,” not one dictated by boss rule. Ignorance means lack of information, this is remedied through education, but citizens must possess desire to learn.
“Americans have…faith in the perfectibility of man, they judge…the diffusion of knowledge (to) be advantageous, and the consequences of ignorance fatal…” Alexis deTocqueville
