Jill Lepore writes, “The story of American isn’t carved in stone, or even inked on parchment; it is, instead, told, and fought over, again and again.” According to Ross Douthat, how is “a heroic founders-and-settlers narrative” of America being fought over in the present day?
Week 1 Day 2 Question 2
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Ross Douthat argues that the “heroic founders-and-settlers narrative” of America, which many Americans still identify with today, is being contested in the present day. This narrative is centered around the idea of the United States as a country that was settled by pioneers and the founding fathers who built the country based on European traditions like Anglo-Saxon cultural norms. For many Americans (particularly those who are on the right), this narrative remains a key part of their identities, as they likely seem themselves more as these settlers rather than immigrants to the country. The desire to restore this vision of America was one of the driving forces behind the uprising of Donald Trump and eventual election as president. Trump appeals to those seeking to reassert this narrative as a country of settlers in the face of a changing country.
Douthat also points out that this story is becoming increasingly at odds with the country’s evolving cultural demographic and population. The growth of immigrant populations and the embrace of more globalized ideas have all led to a shift in the American narrative that has been present for so long. Liberals, especially, have emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion, which challenges the exclusionary aspects of the founders-and-settlers narrative. Despite the changes, Douthat suggests that the divide between those who embrace the old American story and the new wave of people who seek a more diverse version of America creates an ongoing cultural clash. Thus, there may not be a simple solution or a unifying narrative that will fully resolve this clash. In order to create this unifying story there must be acknowledgments of both sides of each story by praising/embracing both the “founders-and-settlers” and “immigrant” narratives.
According to Ross Douthat, the “heroic founders-and-settlers narrative” of America is being fought over in the present by those who wish to restore the narrative to its former glory and those who seek to change the narrative to a “universal nation destined to welcome foreigners and defend liberty abroad.” Trump’s vision is to restore the story of the American settlers, identifying with historical figures like the Pilgrims and pioneers like Lewis and Clark. Those who support this vision believe that the U.S. should “assume a Judeo-Christian civil religion,” rather than simply sharing core beliefs. Additionally, they prefer an America where immigrants and newcomers are expected to assimilate and blend into the “American” culture rather than keeping distinct cultural identities. Douthat states that the narrative has become more exclusionary in recent times, with increasing resentment toward minority groups like Muslims. On the other hand, modern liberals believe in a national identity built on universal ideas rather than specific cultures or religions. Moreover, they delegitimize the settler identity of the past by continuing to state, “That’s not who we are.” The current liberal narrative judges past figures as “racist” and “misogynist[ic],” even including their own “political and cultural progenitors.” Douthat states that the current liberal agenda “implicitly undercuts itself” as if “half of America voted for Republicans,” then something besides liberalism “is very much a part of who we are.” The polarization of the two groups has led to tension throughout the country, and Douthat believes that in order to “bury Trumpism,” a leader must reach for a story “about who we are and were,” bridging the gap between the settlers, immigrants, minorities, and pioneers so that all Americans can recognize the American story as their own.