Deny and marginalize

I believe the president’s rants against members of Congress were to fire up “proud of it” bigots. He needs those who usually don’t vote to turn out this time. He already has the casual sort, who deny they and the president are bigots. His squinting NRA-sanctioned recitation after the latest shootings was too little, too late. His insincerity could not have been clearer if he had actually winked. The only way to show he is not a hypocrite is to personally apologize to the members of Congress he disrespected.

I believe denial of his bigotry is denial that bigotry exists; or maybe it does, but it’s not a big deal. Like climate change, bigotry might be happening, but blah, blah, blah … Denying and marginalizing are useful tools. They enabled and continue to enable all manner of mischief, from slavery to my unhealthy eating habits.

Bigotry and climate change are not everyday problems for most. Republican politicians give us permission to “believe in” them or not—like Santa Claus. Most importantly, combating both has costs. Big money is at risk for industries that contribute to climate change. Consumers and taxpayers will bear higher costs. Taking Earth for granted is so easy, but so dangerous. Cutting corners on maintenance always backfires. Always.

The main costs of combating bigotry are crazy psychic stuff—loss of “better than them” status; dilution of racial identity; the risk of white children dating “them”; sharing our country with “heathens”; admission of stupidity and moral and spiritual corruption. HOWELL MEDDERS

Fayetteville