Hatred never seems to be difficult to stir up in the United States. Whenever someone of a particular nationality displeases Americans in any way, the sins of the one are too often visited upon the entire race or religion or nationality. Whether it was the demonizing and ultimate genocide of Native Americans, the institution of race based slavery, the system of strict legal and social Jim Crow segregation which followed shortly after the end of slavery, the intolerance of religious fanatics who themselves had fled religious persecution overseas only to impose similar kinds of religious intolerance here, or the demonization and prejudices faced by immigrants over the course of well over a century, there never seemed to be any shortage of anger and self-righteous (and blind) hatred.
In these modern times, we have seen similar hatred, often (but not always) based on nationality. I remember reading accounts from before my time of how Germans and Japanese were demonized during the world wars in the first half of the 20th century. Kurt Vonnegut, one of my favorite authors, recalled how German actually used to be a common language in his neighborhood and in his family, until that demonization scared people into English only. Japanese nationals faced worse, with propaganda mocking the "buck teeth" Japanese race, and sending them to detention centers in the middle of deserts during World War II. During my childhood, I remember certain nationalities always seemingly portrayed as bad guys in hero movies. It was (and often still is) common for Russians, Germans, French, or for some reason, even British nationals to play the most villainous roles. More recently, we have added Islamic terrorists and Hispanic leaders of drug cartels to this growing list of villains, as we see it. Not all that long ago, Native Americans were portrayed as villains in old westerns, although we seem to have lost the taste of victimizing them these days. So progress is being made, I guess.
Just in the 21st century, we have seen some major episodes of hatred of certain groups becoming popular in this country. Hate crimes against Arabic people and those of Muslim faith (and they are not necessarily one and the same, by the way) spiked after September 11th. Not too much later, English was officially designated as the language of the United States, despite a huge population of Spanish speakers. Not surprisingly, prejudice against both of those same groups became blatantly obvious with the political rise of Donald Trump. He infamously said that Mexicans were rapists and criminals before conceding, almost reluctantly, that some were probably good people. Also, he wanted to stop all immigration from Muslim countries, and he championed the idea of an unconstitutional registry of all Muslim people within the United States. He referred to numerous Central American and African countries as "shithole nations." He showed some serious hesitation before bowing to pressure and condemning Nazis and white supremacists marching in Charlottesville, suggesting at one point that there were "good people" on both sides. And he briefly retweeted a video of one of his supporters shouting "white power." Yet, his cult-like supporters continued to give him their unconditional loyalty, and even seemingly love. Many of his supporters acted shocked - Shocked! - that anyone could possibly dare insinuate that this man has even a slight racist side, or that he seemed to inspire hatred and violence among his followers.
Not long ago, I can recall my own French nationality being targeted. French people were ridiculed fairly frequently among some Americans (especially those who identify as politically conservative), but this reached a high tide in 2002-2003, during the height of French bashing. The very word and concept of "French" was censored and - irony of ironies - replaced with "freedom" on Capitol Hill, and in many American restaurants, where "Freedom Fries" and "Freedom toast" was served. French wine was poured down gutters. Some Americans urged tourists to avoid traveling to Paris by pointing out that Kansas City has more water fountains than the City of Lights. Whether or not that is true, I cannot say. Personally, though, give me a chance to spend five days at half price in Paris, or three weeks, all expanses paid, in Kansas City, and I will still choose Paris. Sorry, but whether or not Kansas City has more fountains (and I am sure it is worth a visit as a city), but comparing it with Paris is simply ridiculous. I believe that Paris has far more to offer, and I'm not just saying that because I am French. I will stand by that, regardless of whether or not many Americans want to hear it, or if that offends their delicate sensibilities. It's the truth. And I very much doubt that I would be alone in choosing that, if such a choice ever was given to me.
The whole French basing thing left a bad taste in my mouth. Yet, I see it happening again, only this time with Russia. Just like with French bashing, this also is mind-numbingly stupid, to the point of being shocking. Russian vodka is being poured down gutters. Some people are boycotting Russian dressing (which I do not believe is even actually Russian at all). Nor is this level of stupid, knee-jerk reaction hatred of all things Russian reserved to Americans. A university, of all places, tried to ban a class on novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky in Milan, Italy, simply because he was Russian. Mind you, Dostoevsky was sent to a Gulag by his fellow countrymen because of his ideas. But never mind that. Simply because he is Russian, his "voice" through his published words should be silenced, because of his nationality. Because that will surely teach Putin and the big, bad Russkies a lesson, right?
All of this has reached preposterous levels. And George Takei, the noted former Star Trek star who has become an activist and internet personality, warned where this could go when allowed to be taken to extremes. After all, he himself was among those sent to American detainment camps (also known as concentration camps) many decades ago because of his family's Japanese nationality. He is now warning Americans to start trying to check themselves with this anti-Russian nonsense with a Facebook post. This was an important point, and I am glad that he made it, which is why I reposted it here.
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