In Donald Trump’s America, extreme far-right Christian nationalist Joshua Haymes recently declared slavery “is not inherently evil,” urging Christians to affirm the right to own others. This rhetoric echoes a dangerous ideology rooted in white supremacy, supported by figures like Pastor Brooks Potteiger and linked to powerful institutions. Haymes suggests that America’s Founding Fathers were not sinful for owning slaves, labeling condemnation of such practices as “chronological snobbery.”
This ideology is not fringe; it aligns with efforts to sanitize history at institutional levels, including directives from the Trump administration to remove exhibits that reference slavery from national sites. Trump’s regime has claimed that discussions of slavery misrepresent America’s past, prompting censorship of historical facts regarding figures like George Washington and their connections to slavery.
Conversely, there is resistance to this historical sterilization, with historians and activists asserting the importance of acknowledging both the good and bad aspects of American history. The government’s campaign to erase these narratives reflects a broader movement of white Christian nationalism that seeks to suppress the truth about the nation’s past.
Incidents of racist language and humor among young Republicans further illustrate the normalization of hateful rhetoric. This movement signifies a cultural counterrevolution against truth and equality for Black Americans, drawing parallels with historical efforts to deny and whitewash violent legacies.
Ultimately, the article argues that truth endures; the stories of those who resisted slavery remain vital. As America grapples with its past, the fight for recognition and historical integrity continues, with the implications of these truths resonating deeply within the descendants of the enslaved.
