Professor, What is “White Nationalism” ?
A Socratic Dialogue on Break Time, by Professor Mather
Professor, Trump is a *nationalist*. Hitler was a *nationalist.*
Lincoln was a nationalist, the professor said, as he sat back, picking apple fragments from his teeth, taking a sip of coffee.
—[It was quiet a long time]—
But Trump is a white nationalist, another student finally said.
Lincoln wasn‘t white? the professor queried.
No he was, they said.
So , Lincoln was a white nationalist, he said, still picking at one piece of coffee stained apple bit he couldn’t quite reach.
White nationalist ended slavery, the professor added, his finger in his mouth.
Wait, wut, the original student said, slowly.
Republican white nationalism is as old as the Republican Party. And Republican white nationalism ended Democrat, white supremacist slavery.
Well then I hate Lincoln, too, the other student said.
You know who you agree with on that, right?, the professor softly probed. The Democrats.
Duh, the student said.
Slave owning, black beating Democrats, the professor continued. Republicans kicked their asses.
—[It was quiet a long time, again]—
So, you’re saying–
[pause]
Wait, wut, the student continued half-heartedly.
I’m obeying your command to wait, the professor said, smiling, a string of saliva linking his finger with his lip, the apple chunk dislodged, finally.
They stared at the string of saliva, and eventually eeked out, that’s gross.
I agree, the professor said. Slavery is gross. Democrats are gross for ever fighting to preserve that heinous institution.
—[It was silent a long time, again]—
I don’t understand, a student said.
Yes, you do.
No, I don’t get it.
Sure you do. You don’t want to get it, but you do.
No, I mean, Lincoln was a good guy, right?
[The professor glared at him, took another swig, wiped his lips]
Then why was he a Republican?, he finished.
He was a good guy *because* he was a Republican — Republicans opposed slavery from the beginning. And yes, most of them, you might say, people say, were “white”. I think that’s a stupid, inaccurate word. But that’s sometimes the word used.
But how were they nationalists? the student queried under crinkled brow.
That was the point of the Civil War, the professor said, with compassion. Republicans preserved the nation against Democrats who would destroy it. The Democrats didn’t like the border of the US. Wanted to eff with the borders. Had a problem with US borders. Wanted their sanctuary states so they could do all of their unconstitutional perversions. Violating people’s rights. Endangering innocent people. They loved their sanctuary states.
But wait–
I’m obeying—
NO! I mean wa … they wait they–
I’m obeying your command to wa—
NO! So, what do you mean by nationalism?
I mean, they loved America , the nation. We’re unique. We kick ass. Flag is awesome. Constitution is awesome.
But, didn’t , wasn’t slavery Constitutional? Weren’t slaves 3/5ths persons?
Slaves are referred to 3 times in the original Constitution simply as “Persons“, each time. Did you know that?
No.
Never as partial persons, as if that makes any sense, metaphysically. But as “Persons“. The 5th Amendment, added a little later, says, No Person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
Okay.
But slavery by definition is a deprivation of liberty and property without due process of law.
[Slowly] right … okay …
And slaves are only referred to in the Constitution as “Persons“.
Really?
Yes. Easy to double check.
Okay.
So.
So the 5th Amendment abolished slavery?
In DC, and in federal areas, yes.
Wait [there was a clamor]. But the White House was built with slaves.
I’m obeying your command to wait.
Did anybody think that?
Republicans did. They were called Republicans. Eventually. It took a while, the professor said.
HOly crap.
I mean, it’s right there in the text, if you just think about the definitions of words and what it’s saying. Read the Declaration of Independence for God’s sake, it’s right there, the professor added.
Then why did slavery stay so long?
Because. People didn’t want to get rid of it.
[It was silent a long time, yet again]
So they pretend that’s not what it says, the professor added.
Same with guns, now, the professor observed. Look at the text, it’s right there. Some people pretend that’s not what it says, in the 2nd Amendment.
But it says the militia can have guns, the original student said.
It says “the people” have the right to “bear” arms, and …wait for it…to “keep” them. The opposite of what some think.
But that’s the militia.
You mean, the government? the professor asked.
Yeah, the police, the national guard.
Sheeit. So, you think–your theory of the Bill of Rights–is that it is a document that gives rights to the government.
Doesn’t it?
Lord have mercy, the professor prayed, slapping his face with both hands.
“The people” occurs in the 4th Amendment. Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. You think the Government is what has the right against unreasonable searches and seizures from…people. Do I have that accurately?
Ummm, no, I guess not.
In the 1st Amendment, “the people” have a right to petition *the government* for a redress of grievances. You think it’s the government who has the right to petition itself for a redress of grievances.
–[It was quiet a short time]–
I guess that doesn’t make sense, the student acknowledged finally.
You think the 3rd Amendment gives government the right to be free from quartering its own troops? I was in the military. I never got that message, though that would explain some of the shitty places I had to sleep.
[faint laughter]
You were in the military? What—
Later. Sorry, we’re in the zone, here. You guys are actually not looking at your gee-damned phones for once on break. Amazing.
[They all smiled]
Finally, got some smiles. Tough crowd.
[They stopped smiling].
You said that white nationalist ended slavery, professor. So are you a white nationalist?
I’m a black lesbian, the professor said. The way I currently define those terms, the professor added. Since we’re always inventing new definitions. I wanted to get in on that, too. [The professor winked a non-creepy wink].
[Initial shock, then boredom].
But I am a nationalist, yes. I love America. Also against slavery.
[And with that, break time was over].
Copyright Lucas J. Mather, 2019
All Rights Reserved
Originally published to Facebook Saturday 28 Sept 2019 at 12:50 am
Dr. Lucas J. Mather is producer and host of The Republican Professor Podcast (TRP). Dr. Mather teaches Constitutional Law, The American Founding, and American Political Institutions at Azusa Pacific University in Lost Angeles County, California.
He uses Dr. Lucas Morel’s “Lincoln and the American Founding” in his class on The American Founding, and Dr. Mather interviewed Dr. Morel on the topics in that book on TRP Podcast for 2022’s Constitution Day Special which published on September 17th, 2022 and is available here. [https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/2022/09/17/constitution-day-focus-lincoln-race-slavery-the-american-founding-w-dr-lucas-morel-ph-d-washington-lee-univ-shenandoah-valley-virginia-trp-ep-90/].
For more episodes, check out the YouTube channel here and the audio episodes (with video embedded) on the TRP servers here : https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/podcast/.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Dr. Ljm, Trp
