Revealing America's True Face: Systemic Oppression and the Illusion of Innocence
Synopsis:
In light of recent events, this article challenges the notion that America is innocent or exceptional. It traces the deep-seated roots of systemic oppression—from the Doctrine of Discovery to today’s inequalities in immigration, justice, and gender equity. To achieve genuine unity and liberation, Americans must confront the uncomfortable truth about the systems that sustain racial, economic, and gender-based oppression. Only through acknowledging this history can we begin dismantling it and striving toward a society grounded in justice and equity for all.
Introduction: No Surprise in the System’s Success
Once again, America has shown us exactly who it is. For anyone holding onto the illusion of innocence or progress, this election is a wake-up call. The outcome isn't a fluke or a departure from America's core values—it's a reflection of them. As painful as it may be, we must abandon the naïve idea that America is somehow better than this, that its roots aren’t deeply tangled in white supremacy, patriarchy, and systemic oppression. Only by recognizing this history and reckoning with it can we hope to build a society where unity and liberation are possible for everyone.
Historical Foundations of Systemic Oppression
To understand where we are, we have to look back to where it all started. The American story didn’t begin with freedom; it began with conquest. In 1493, the Doctrine of Discovery offered theological justification for claiming lands and subjugating non-Christian peoples, setting the stage for centuries of systematic oppression. This doctrine provided a foundation for colonial expansion and, ultimately, the establishment of a nation built on forced labor, stolen land, and the disenfranchisement of anyone not deemed “worthy” by the white Christian elite. This foundational violence laid the groundwork for the systems that continue to govern us today.
The Codification of Racism in Law and Society
From the very beginning, American law has systematically encoded racial discrimination into its fabric. This didn’t just happen in the South with Jim Crow laws but in every corner of the country. Laws that kept Black people out of neighborhoods, restricted job opportunities, and segregated schools weren’t accidents—they were calculated tools to preserve white supremacy. These policies reinforced the violence and terror of the Jim Crow era, where lynchings served as brutal warnings against challenging the power structure. Today, many of these same biases continue to shape how resources are distributed, who is policed, and who is given a fair chance in life.
Immigration as a Tool of White Supremacy
Our immigration system, too, was designed with the express purpose of upholding white supremacy. From the beginning, naturalization was restricted to a “free white person” of “good character.” This requirement wasn’t an aside; it was a clear declaration of America’s racial priorities. Over time, while immigration policies have shifted to meet economic demands, they have largely continued to privilege whiteness. Immigrants have been used for labor and discarded when no longer useful, an exploitative practice that reflects America’s consistent disregard for non-white lives.
Gender Oppression: Patriarchy in America
America’s patriarchal roots run deep, shaping not only family structures but also access to power and opportunity. For generations, men have held political, economic, and cultural power, while women were pressured into domestic roles. In the 1950s, the model of the nuclear family was promoted as superior, reinforcing the idea that women’s place was in the home, not in positions of influence. Even into the mid-twentieth century, women couldn’t open bank accounts without a husband’s signature. Despite gains, these systems persist today, perpetuating gender inequality in ways both obvious and insidious.
Modern Manifestations of Systemic Oppression
These historical structures aren’t just relics of the past—they actively shape our present:
- Racial discrimination continues to fuel socioeconomic disparities.
- The criminal justice system disproportionately targets and punishes people of color.
- Housing policies keep neighborhoods segregated and economically unequal.
- Immigration policies still favor certain racial groups, prioritizing “acceptable” immigrants over others.
These issues aren’t new; they’re continuations of the same structures that have governed America since its inception. Each injustice is a reminder that these systems are not broken—they’re functioning exactly as designed.
The Cycle of Complicity: Maintaining the Status Quo
Perhaps most troubling is the cycle of complicity that keeps these systems intact. Those who are oppressed are sometimes pulled into these systems as a means of survival, and that survival is often framed as complicity. Some immigrants, desperate for acceptance, may align themselves with white supremacy. Some women, under pressure to “keep the peace,” may reinforce patriarchal norms. This dynamic isn’t a failure of individuals; it’s a testament to the power of these structures and how deeply they’re ingrained in society.
Conclusion: Liberation through Unity and Acknowledgment
The path forward is clear but not easy. We need to reject the illusion that America was ever innocent and recognize that only by confronting the truth of our history can we begin to dismantle the systems that continue to harm us. This requires unity—not the shallow unity of ignoring our differences but the transformative unity of working together across communities to create a society where justice is real. Liberation for all demands this acknowledgment and this effort. The time for believing in a “better America” is over. Now, we need to demand it.