Nation of Victims

1. America has become a nation of victims, not underdogs

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.

From underdogs to victims: America's national identity has shifted from a nation of underdogs striving for greatness to a nation of victims competing for grievances. This transformation is rooted in the country's success, which bred complacency and entitlement. The underdog narrative inspired Americans to overcome adversity through hard work and perseverance. In contrast, the victim narrative encourages people to blame others for their problems and demand compensation.

Victimhood as currency: In modern America, victimhood has become a form of social and political currency. People and groups compete to portray themselves as the most oppressed, using their perceived victimhood to gain advantages in education, employment, and social status. This trend is evident in:

• College admissions processes favoring "diverse" applicants
• Corporate diversity initiatives prioritizing certain identities
• Political movements centered around group grievances
• Media narratives that amplify victim stories for attention and clicks

The cost of victimhood: While acknowledging genuine injustices is important, the pervasive culture of victimhood undermines personal responsibility, social cohesion, and national progress. It fosters resentment between groups, discourages individual initiative, and diverts attention from addressing real problems through constructive action.

2. The Civil War's aftermath shaped modern American victimhood

"The past is never dead. It's not even past."

The Lost Cause narrative: The aftermath of the Civil War saw the rise of the "Lost Cause" mythology in the South, which reframed the Confederacy's defeat as a noble struggle against oppression. This narrative:

• Portrayed the South as the underdog fighting for states' rights
• Downplayed the role of slavery in causing the war
• Celebrated Confederate leaders as heroic figures
• Justified post-war racial discrimination and segregation

Long-lasting impact: The Lost Cause narrative's influence extended far beyond the South, shaping national attitudes about race, history, and victimhood. Its legacy can be seen in:

• Ongoing debates about Confederate monuments and symbols
• Persistent racial tensions and inequalities
• The use of historical grievances to justify current political positions
• The tendency to view national history through a lens of victimhood

Rewriting history: The Lost Cause narrative demonstrates how victimhood narratives can reshape historical understanding and influence present-day attitudes. This pattern continues today, with various groups competing to control the narrative of American history and define who are the victims and who are the oppressors.

3. Constitutional law inadvertently promoted a culture of victimhood

The Court told us exactly what it means to be a victim, and we listened carefully.

Equal protection jurisprudence: The Supreme Court's interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause inadvertently created a legal framework that encourages victimhood claims. Key developments include:

• The "suspect classification" doctrine, which gives heightened scrutiny to laws affecting certain groups
• The focus on identifying historically disadvantaged groups for special protection
• The expansion of protected categories beyond race to include gender, national origin, and other characteristics

Unintended consequences: While intended to protect vulnerable groups, this legal approach has had several negative effects:

• Incentivizing groups to portray themselves as victims to gain legal advantages
• Creating a hierarchy of victimhood that pits different groups against each other
• Shifting focus from individual merit to group identity
• Encouraging a mindset of perpetual victimhood rather than empowerment

The need for reform: The author argues for a reexamination of equal protection jurisprudence to focus on ensuring individual merit is not burdened by irrelevant group characteristics, rather than perpetuating a system that rewards victimhood claims.

4. Critical Race Theory reinforces racial victimhood narratives

Davis befriended his new friend to put him in touch with Roger Kelly, the grand dragon of the Maryland KKK.

Understanding CRT: Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic framework that examines how racism is embedded in social institutions. Key tenets include:

• Racism is systemic and pervasive, not just individual prejudice
• Race is a social construct used to maintain power imbalances
• Colorblindness and race-neutral policies can perpetuate racism

The New Jim Crow narrative: One influential CRT-inspired idea is the "New Jim Crow" narrative, which argues that the criminal justice system, particularly the War on Drugs, functions as a new form of racial control. This narrative:

• Highlights racial disparities in arrest rates and sentencing
• Draws parallels between mass incarceration and historical forms of racial oppression
• Argues that seemingly race-neutral policies have racist outcomes

Critiques and alternatives: While acknowledging the reality of systemic racism, the author argues that CRT and related narratives can reinforce victimhood mentalities and overlook important factors:

• The role of cultural factors, such as family structure, in perpetuating disadvantage
• The agency and resilience of individuals who overcome racial barriers
• The progress made in reducing overt racism and discrimination

The author suggests that addressing root causes of crime and poverty, rather than focusing solely on racial disparities, would be more effective in improving outcomes for all Americans.

5. Conservative victimhood undermines the pursuit of excellence

Conservatives have their own victimhood complexes these days; we are, after all, a nation of victims now.

The conservative shift: Traditionally, conservatism emphasized personal responsibility, self-reliance, and the pursuit of excellence. However, in recent years, many conservatives have adopted their own victimhood narratives, focusing on:

• Claims of media bias and "cancel culture"
• Allegations of voter fraud and "stolen" elections
• Perceived discrimination against religious and traditional values

Consequences of conservative victimhood: This shift has several negative effects:

• Distracting from policy solutions and substantive debates
• Eroding trust in democratic institutions
• Alienating potential allies and moderates
• Undermining the conservative ideal of personal responsibility

The need for principled conservatism: The author argues that conservatives should reject victimhood narratives and return to core principles:

• Emphasizing individual agency and achievement
• Proposing constructive solutions to real problems
• Engaging in good-faith debate with political opponents
• Upholding democratic norms and institutions

By focusing on excellence rather than grievance, conservatives can offer a positive vision for the country and attract broader support.

6. Victimhood mentality leads to national decline and inequality

Victimhood focuses on how to divvy up the economic pie, rather than how to make it bigger.

Economic consequences: A culture of victimhood can have severe economic repercussions:

• Reduced productivity as people focus on grievances rather than innovation
• Increased government spending on entitlements and redistribution
• Diminished social cohesion and trust, which are essential for economic growth
• Brain drain as talented individuals seek opportunities elsewhere

Political instability: Widespread victimhood narratives can lead to political polarization and instability:

• Increased support for populist and extremist movements
• Erosion of democratic norms and institutions
• Difficulty in forming consensus on major policy issues
• Growing distrust between different social and ethnic groups

Widening inequality: Paradoxically, a focus on victimhood can exacerbate the very inequalities it seeks to address:

• Creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure and disadvantage
• Discouraging individual initiative and risk-taking
• Promoting policies that may have unintended negative consequences
• Overlooking effective solutions in favor of symbolic gestures

The author argues that a return to a culture of excellence and personal responsibility is necessary to reverse these trends and promote genuine progress and prosperity for all.

7. Forgiveness and duty are essential for national renewal

People should be given the chance to stand on their own and find out who they are.

The power of forgiveness: The author argues that forgiveness is crucial for healing national divisions and moving beyond victimhood:

• Acknowledging past wrongs without being defined by them
• Recognizing the humanity in those we disagree with
• Breaking cycles of resentment and retaliation
• Creating space for genuine dialogue and understanding

Embracing duty: Alongside forgiveness, a renewed sense of civic duty can help overcome victimhood mentalities:

• Focusing on what we can contribute rather than what we're owed
• Taking responsibility for personal and community improvement
• Participating actively in democratic processes
• Upholding shared values and institutions

Practical steps: The author suggests several ways to promote forgiveness and duty:

• Reforming education to emphasize civic responsibility and critical thinking
• Encouraging national service programs for young people
• Celebrating stories of individuals who overcome adversity
• Fostering cross-cultural and cross-ideological dialogue

By embracing forgiveness and duty, Americans can move beyond victimhood narratives and work together to address shared challenges.

8. Meritocracy must be preserved through inheritance taxes, not wealth taxes

Tax someone's wealth heavily, sure. But wait until they die. You can't take it with you, after all. Neither should your kid.

The meritocracy paradox: Meritocracy, while ideally promoting fairness and excellence, can lead to entrenched inequality over time as successful individuals pass advantages to their children. This creates a tension between rewarding merit and ensuring equal opportunity.

Problems with wealth taxes: The author argues against wealth taxes as a solution to inequality:

• They can lead to capital flight and reduced investment
• They're difficult to implement and enforce effectively
• They may have unintended consequences for the middle class and retirees

The case for inheritance taxes: Instead, the author proposes high inheritance taxes as a way to preserve meritocracy while addressing inequality:

• Allows individuals to enjoy the fruits of their success during their lifetime
• Prevents the formation of hereditary aristocracies
• Encourages productive use of wealth rather than hoarding
• Provides revenue for public investments in education and opportunity

Balancing incentives: The key is to strike a balance that:

• Rewards individual achievement and innovation
• Provides equal opportunities for each generation
• Maintains social mobility and economic dynamism
• Funds necessary public goods and services

By focusing on inheritance rather than wealth accumulation, society can preserve the benefits of meritocracy while mitigating its tendency to create self-perpetuating elites.

Last updated: November 13, 2024