The Ongoing Culture War

> “There is a religious war going on in our country for the soul of America. It is a cultural war, as critical to the kind of nation we will one day be as was the Cold War itself.” — Pat Buchanan, presidential candidate in 1992

The culture war is the longest-standing conflict in America, even longer than the war in Afghanistan. It may be the thread that, when pulled, could unravel the very fabric of the nation.

Gandhi once stated that a nation's culture resides in the hearts and souls of its people. Arguably, the only thing more crucial than culture is the systems that support its growth. These include transportation for work, law enforcement, and educational institutions.

This creates a fundamental divide between left and right-wing ideologies: the left argues that these systems are corrupt and need to be reformed (e.g., systemic racism, equality versus equity), while the right believes they are functioning adequately and should be left as is.

As Monty Python humorously articulated:

It’s crucial to recognize that while these systems do result in inequality and corruption, they also create peace, stability, and order. A society cannot function without these elements.

Though these institutions have their flaws, they should be examined carefully rather than dismantled entirely by those who are averse to dialogue. While having political opinions is essential, it’s even more critical to analyze contrasting viewpoints and determine which is more sensible for the current context.

The Detrimental Effects of Political Entertainment

Political entertainment serves as fuel for the culture war. People derive enjoyment from watching Don Lemon criticize Trump or Tucker Carlson challenge CNN.

Engaging with this content does little to enhance your life, though it can be thrilling to witness.

The news became more sensationalist with the advent of platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and social media. Traditional media, eager to stay relevant, realized how hooked the audience is on drama, leading them to deliver more of it.

Trump became the focal point of all narratives: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Even now, you can turn on CNN and find Trump still dominating conversations.

As a journalist, I suspect many commentators don’t genuinely believe everything they say. They often exaggerate for more views, manipulating their audience like a performer catering to an audience’s desires.

The troubling aspect is that these networks present their "news" as facts. While it is widely perceived that CNN has a left-leaning bias and Fox News a right-leaning one, neither network openly acknowledges this. This allows viewers to remain in echo chambers, believing everything they see as true.

The Silent Trump Supporter

Many recognize Trump as a liar. They are not naive and are not shocked by the Washington Post’s record of over 18,000 “false or misleading claims” attributed to him.

However, what frustrates them more than the blatant lies is the perceived double standard. They resent when figures like Joe Biden or Obama lie, only to have their falsehoods dismissed by leftists. Furthermore, the silent Trump supporter is weary of being labeled as part of a “basket of deplorables,” a term coined by Hillary Clinton.

They cringe as they watch CNN's Dana Bash interview Biden, where he claimed that “at least 35,000 to 50,000” of the estimated 100,000 COVID-19 deaths were avoidable due to the president’s “lack of attention and ego.”

Baltimore Sun contributor Richard Vatz commented on Biden’s dubious claims and the overly gentle interview:

> “If up to half the COVID-19 deaths were a result of the president’s misguided decision-making, surely that warrants a question from Ms. Bash, who never interrupts.”

> “What did she inquire about that shocking assertion? How did he arrive at such a figure? Which policies initiated by President Trump contributed to these unnecessary deaths? What recommendations did Mr. Biden make, and when, to prevent such fatalities?”

Of course, none of those questions were posed.

The Problem of Left-Wing Bias

Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram lean left; The New York Times, CNN, NBC, The Washington Post, Reddit, Apple, Amazon, Google, ABC, ESPN, Pixar, Cartoon Network, NFL, NBA, and most college professors also align left, as indicated by a recent study.

Medium, too, has a leftist orientation. While not as extreme as CNN, I have yet to receive any conservative news in my feed.

There is little exchange of ideas, and the other viewpoint is often dismissed as dangerous or outdated. Many assume right-wing ideology is inherently wrong.

This mindset contributes to the escalating culture war, which is approaching a violent resolution.

Kamala Harris: A Questionable Solution

Vice President Kamala Harris once stated she believes Biden’s accusers of sexual harassment:

> “I believe them and respect their courage in sharing their stories,” she told reporters in April 2019. She also criticized Biden for his past associations with segregationist lawmakers.

Yet she later justified her previous criticisms on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, claiming, “It was a debate,” regarding her harsh attacks on Biden.

Now, as the first female Black Vice President, she stands either as a hypocrite or as dishonest as those whom the 74,223,744 Trump supporters detest. She is part of what is being hailed as the most diverse cabinet in American history.

Many Trump supporters view this as merely political theatrics, and they may be right.

Joe Biden: Not the Solution Either

Biden once remarked, “If you’re having trouble deciding whether you’re with me or Trump, then you’re not Black.” At that moment, I knew I could never support him.

Biden is already engaging in identity politics by announcing that his COVID relief package would specifically target non-white individuals facing economic hardships from the pandemic. It’s as if he’s forgotten his promise to be a unifying president for all, regardless of their vote.

While I wish Biden success, even if he performs outstandingly, his impact may be limited. The responsibility for the nation's betterment lies with all of us.

The Chaos Threatening America

Chaos is the inflation that will continue to rise due to ongoing stimulus checks and money printing. It’s the uninformed protesters advocating to defund the police without any nuanced understanding of the issue.

Chaos is also evident in a failing education system that offers a singular narrative to students.

It manifests in the MAGA extremists who believe America is being taken from them and feel compelled to take action. And chaos is perpetuated by media outlets that treat you as a mere pawn to advance their ratings.

All of this is pressing against America’s door, and democracy may not hold it back much longer. The notion that a calm and rational discussion seems like a parody from an SNL skit is a troubling sign for the future.

Yet, it's still our only option.

Final Thoughts

A significant part of these issues stems from one core problem in America: we place too much value on our opinions. We treat our perspectives like gospel, only accepting facts that align with our beliefs (which are sometimes merely opinions masquerading as facts).

Last year, in an article about police brutality, I highlighted the issue of Black-on-Black crime.

Nationwide, Black individuals are six times more likely to be murdered than white individuals (and in some cities, that figure doubles). Furthermore, 93% of these murders are committed within the African American community.

How much of this can be classified as institutional racism?

Some, potentially all, or perhaps none of it. There’s undoubtedly a balance to be struck here. Solutions exist that do not require dismantling the system, especially since many protesters seem unaware of the peace and opportunities these systems have provided them.

They often call for systemic destruction, defunding the police, and silencing right-wing platforms, lacking any genuine solutions or rationale. Such statements are merely a superficial way to appear virtuous, which is not virtuous at all.

This is why dispassionate discussions about facts are vital. These conversations cannot be led by the most hysterical among us. We need individuals willing to confront facts that may challenge their foundational beliefs. We require open-mindedness to bridge the divide between right and left.

Consider a few more facts about police brutality:

According to Statista, around 1,000 individuals are killed by police each year. There are 50-60 million police encounters annually and about 10 million arrests; thus, the likelihood of being killed by police is 1 in 10,000. Many of these cases could be justified, as the data doesn’t clarify whether they are.

Contemporary philosopher Sam Harris questioned whether George Floyd's race played a role in his death: “Do we have reason to believe that if Floyd had been white, he wouldn’t have died in a similar manner?”

The evidence is what matters, not the conclusion you reach.

Some readers expressed outrage in the comments section of that police brutality article. Even mentioning Black-on-Black crime led some to label me an ignorant Uncle Tom, suggesting I lacked understanding of the issue.

I wrote that article because I perceived a singular narrative in the media: Floyd was killed due to systemic racism. I disagreed with that conclusion based on the evidence. However, the conclusion itself is not what’s important; the evidence that leads you there is.

We must recognize that protesting is not always the most effective means of social change; it’s simply the loudest and most sanctimonious. Open discussion—regardless of how it may offend—is our last hope.

With the mean orange man gone, the temptation for political entertainment will remain. Will you continue to distract yourself, or will you finally break free? I'll leave you with a relevant quote from Sam Harris:

> “The true fear of the other is the one who has rendered themselves incapable of dialogue, who will not listen to reason and has no interest in facts. They cannot engage in a conversation that seeks the truth because they already know what that truth must be.”

I understand you may not agree, and I intend to expand on every topic in future articles. I genuinely believe that discerning viewpoints are essential for maintaining peace in America. Please feel free to leave a comment below, and I will respond to as many as I can.