As I sat watching these masked men march in Washington D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this experiment in democracy called America, I couldn't help but think how much this country has come full circle, and not in a good way. The images of those racists MAGA Incels marching proudly around the District was reminiscent of those marches sponsored by the Klu Klux Klan, which drew over thirty to forty thousand proud unmasked participants in August of 1925, and again in September of 1926.
If you are a true believer in America, and the promise of what America can and should be, this had to have been disheartening to you. If you are a jaded skeptic like me, it was not surprising at all. The brazen ignorance and naivety of those who willfully turn a blind eye to Trump and his MAGA movement,and what they are trying to create in America, contributed to what we are seeing now. I blame them as much for those Patriot Front marchers, as I do the die hard MAGA voter, who voted for Trump three times. This is the America Trump wants. It's why he is only giving refugee status to White South Africans, who were living normal middle class lives in South Africa, and who only wanted to get away from a country ruled by blacks.
It's why Trump has ordered his administration, through executive orders and directives, to erase all aspects of Black history in national parks, federal museums, public schools, the military, and every other institution that they can control. It's why Trump and his supporters can openly disparage non- English speaking people and immigrants of color, and mask it under the guise of patriotism. For the record, there is nothing patriotic about being a racist piece of shit.
So yesterday, instead of fireworks, and barbecues, I kicked back and watched some World Cup soccer, played tennis in a league I belong to, and went for a walk by a lake in my subdivision. I was not in a mood to celebrate. Yes, two hundred and fifty years is a milestone of sorts, and I am glad we made it this far. But given what I have come to see and expect over the years from those we share this country with, I would be very surprised if we make it to another two hundred and fifty.
