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US Sutra | MAGA does not equal White Supremacism – Firstpost

US Sutra | MAGA does not equal White Supremacism – Firstpost



In the ongoing debate over immigration, diversity, and national identity in America, we confront not only the dangers of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies but also face the resurgence of overt racism and xenophobia. Luckily for us, far-right activist Laura Loomer’s inflammatory comments against Indian immigrants have received a strong push-back. They force us to reflect on the future of MAGA—Make America Great Again—which, arguably, brought president-elect Donald Trump back to power. Now the new administration must ensure that the proper corrective for the overreach of DEI does not mean the resurgence of white supremacism and racism.

DEI initiatives aimed to address systemic inequalities by promoting inclusivity across various platforms, including education and the workplace. But under President Joe Biden DEI went to extremes prioritising identity politics over competence. Some went so far as to argue that excessive and unfair DEI policies and practices led to reverse discrimination. We, of course, are very familiar with this in India, with our iron-clad quota system.

In the United States, however, the fear that DEI could ruin America has resulted in a rethinking not just the policies but the politics behind notions such as equality not only of opportunity, but of outcomes. Ideas of creating a society where opportunities are based more on diversity and quotas than on individual talent or achievement have now come not only under scrutiny but are in considerable disrepute. No doubt, the original principle behind DEI, which was to ensure fairness and opportunity for all, cannot be abandoned. But insisting on equalising outcomes regardless of merit or competence, it is acknowledged, will no longer work.

On the opposite end, white supremacist ideologies have seen a disturbing resurgence, often cloaked in nationalist rhetoric. This has been starkly illustrated by the actions and words of individuals like Laura Loomer, a known far-right activist whose rhetoric directly targets immigrants, particularly those from India, under the guise of protecting American jobs and culture.

Loomer’s comments have included derogatory remarks about Indian hygiene, intelligence, and our place in American society. She has notably described Indians as “third-world invaders” and made racist slurs about the average IQ in India, stating it to be “76” to undermine the capabilities of Indian immigrants. Earlier, she claimed that with Indian influence, “the White House will smell like curry” if Kamala Harris become president, invoking racist stereotypes. Her opposition to the H-1B visa programme, which she sees as a mechanism for replacing American workers with Indian ones, further highlights her anti-immigrant stance.

Should she be taken seriously? No. But she may have, inadvertently, served to highlight the road that neither Trump nor MAGA should take. Because her rhetoric not only promotes racial prejudice but also attempts to legitimise the exclusion of skilled immigrants who contribute significantly to American innovation and economy. The danger here is not just in the immediate harm of such slurs but in how they fuel a broader narrative of racial and cultural superiority, which has no place in a nation built by diverse peoples.

The slogan “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) must not been co-opted by various factions, including those with racist undertones like Loomer’s. Else, the accusation that MAGA is merely disguised racism may come true. MAGA cannot be a front or disguise for a return to a time when white dominance was considered normal, even natural or God-given. We know that these ideas are historically untrue, having been disproved over and over again. “Greatness,” especially in the US, is not tied to racial identity or homogeneity. MAGA should represent a return to economic and moral prosperity for all Americans, not an endorsement of racial or cultural exclusion.

It is up to the winning side to ensure that MAGA does not stand for white dominance or prejudice against immigrants. Not just moderate Republicans, but all sensible Americans must to reclaim the narrative from extremists. It is crucial to assert that America’s greatness is tied to its diversity, not diminished by it. The balance lies in crafting immigration and diversity policies that uphold meritocracy while ensuring inclusivity.

This is not as hard to do as it might first seem. Immigration reform is, of course, crucial and long overdue. It boils down to preventing illegals from flooding into the US while protecting, even encouraging, deserving legal immigrants. Policies should recognise the contributions of skilled immigrants while protecting the rights of all workers, native and foreign-born alike.

At the same time, DEI also needs to be reformed if not dismantled. The powers that be must ensure that DEI initiatives do not create new forms of discrimination but rather promote equality of opportunity based on competence and fairness. Combatting misinformation and hate through education about cultural contributions, both past and present, to foster a society that values diversity as a strength is an added step. Especially countering the bilge and bile spewed out daily on social media.

The silver lining is that Laura Loomer’s racist slurs and anti-Indian rhetoric have received a strong pushback from the likes of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Donal Trump has also supported regulated legal immigration, especially in areas and fields, such as science and engineering, where local expertise is not sufficient. The dangers of extreme positions, whether on the left or the right, vitiate the discourse on American identity as much as they do ideas of Indian nationalism.

America must navigate the middle path with wisdom, rejecting both the misuse of diversity policies and the reinstatement of racist ideologies that seek to divide US society and denigrate immigrants. Rolling back DEI, if it succeeds, may also serve as a lesson to India on how to moderate, mitigate, or modify the stranglehold of reservations in the state-funded Indian education and service sector.

The writer is an author and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.



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