You’re among the many who commentate without doing their homework. That’s a risk you take — offering opinions without proudly displaying a gaudy bibliography. But you excuse yourself the lack of scholarship, given the paltry size of the audience and the paucity of clicks. So you push on doggedly, motivated by what appears to be the bizarre growth of a grievance-riddled society. Specifically, you remain befuddled by the noticeable escalation in racism. In fact, so confused, you have to ask the question: Considering the dramatic advancements by Black Americans across a broad front, why are they increasingly bitter and resentful — even outraged?
Or to put it simply. Why are they unhappy?
Measured by population (12.6%), Black America is represented in Congress; hugely over represented in Broadcast Media and Entertainment Media; and over represented in college sport. Also, despite being greatly over represented on professional fields and arenas, there is still animosity. Critics point to discrimination of black head coach candidates. My my. You wonder why Whitey doesn’t complain about white player representation on the field of play. To be absolutely fair, according to population, the NFL (32 teams) should have 4.032 head coaches (it has 3.0). The NBA (30 teams) should have 3.78 (it has 11.0). Apparently, in Black America, representation by population isn’t the standard. Apparently, Black America is lobbying for 50% representation in all sectors of society. What appears to be happening is some sort of cognitive reversal. More achievement, more success, is met with greater resentment and dissatisfaction. Too bad Jordan Peterson is ill and unable to speak about this psychological phenomenon. Well, instead of picking on Black America, you might offer a general, societal diagnosis.
Group Identity is simply toxic.
As a minority, the LGBTQA+ community is unhappy. Often militant, evidently feeling slighted, slandered and unaccepted by the “straight” world. There are fourteen LGBTQIA+ members of Congress. Despite the steady increase in representation, this group remains under represented compared with their U.S. population (6.5%). The group is also under represented in the corporate world, with only four CEOs among the Fortune 500. More significantly, LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to face poverty, food insecurity, and economic hardship. But the ranks are growing, fueled dramatically by young women.
It seems that millions of American women are unhappy. Dissatisfied or indignant, they are motivated to be members of 1,336 women’s rights groups. NOW is still predominant with half a million members. Some statistics reveal why women seek group advocacy,. Women hold only 40% of top management positions. For every 100 men, only 87 women are promoted from entry-level to executive roles. Only 52 Fortune 500 companies (10.4%)have women CEOs. Of the 125 American cities with more than 200,000 residents, only 45 (36%) are governed by women Mayors. Similarly, only 14 States have women Governors (10 Democrat; 4 GOP). Based on population, in every public and private institution, women likely expect to occupy over 50% of chief exec posts.
According to Pew Research, the majority of Latino American are unhappy. Research statistics are typically complicated, depending on immigrant vs native born. But the general trend says many are thinking about going back to their home country because of the political climate and cost of living. The largest Hispanic organization UnidosUS seems to lobby for a stronger America by eliminating barriers for Latinos.
American Jews are more than unhappy. Various organizations suggest that a sizable percentage of Jews live in fear of growing antisemitism. Founded in 1913, the Anti Defamation League (ADL) has been raising the specter of antisemitism for decades. But now the ADL says that rising antisemitism includes criticism of Israel and support for Palestinians by the political left wing. Paradoxically, Jews have always supported the left wing Democrat Party.
According to Pew, Asian Americans (AA) have reasons to be unhappy. Almost six in 10 AA reported they have faced discrimination because of their race or ethnicity, and 63% said they felt that not enough attention was given to anti-Asian discrimination. Seventy eight percent said they’ve been treated as a foreigner, even if they were born in the U.S., including having their names mispronounced, being told to go back to their country, being scorned for speaking a language other than English and facing assumptions that they can’t speak English.
Anyone who listens to various media outlets must conclude that Muslims are unhappy. Regardless of age or gender, 97.8% of survey participants believe that Islamophobia exists in the US; and nearly that same number think it’s a problem that must be addressed. Half of participants personally have encountered an incident but did not report it to authorities; and 32.1% have never personally encountered an incident.
Generally, you tend to look for blame.
Who is responsible for depriving any group of people their right to happiness? Who are the culprits? By process of elimination, all unhappiness must lie at the feet of the one “group” that is left. You belong to that group. White. Male. Wasp. Sorry, you don’t hold yourself responsible for the unhappiness of a living soul. And with all due respect, you have a bit of advice for the denizens of any Group Identity, named or unnamed above. Be yourself. Leave the group now. If not now, tomorrow.. As an individual, make your own way without expecting to deserve anything from anybody. Stop whining about anti this or anti that, as if you’re owed special treatment. Hang out with whoever appreciates you and ignore bigots and sticks and stones that come your way. People have very right to be prejudiced against you and speak against you (without inciting violence), and vice versa. Your personal life, choices, mistakes and successes belong to you and you alone. If you don’t work, prepare yourself for a job and carry your weight. That’s what America’s Founders expected of you and why they gave you laws that give you liberty. They enacted the laws to protect your rights. They expected you to be able to say, “I and I alone am responsible for me.”
Happiness is up to you.
Ed. Note: Generalities always assume exceptions.
www.conventionofstates.com