Racial Resentment, Wellstone Triangle, and the History of the Extreme Right
Conversationally answer each question numerically. Cite sources when necessary, but not required.
1. What is your main takeaway from Sum of Us: Chapter 6 Book... AND, WHAT DID MCGHEE MEAN BY THE TERM "RACIAL RESENTMENT" FROM CHAPTER 2 OF HER BOOK?" WHO IS RESENTING WHO AND WHY? WHAT IS THE UNDERLYING WORLDVIEW OF SUCH RESENTMENT? WHO'S POLITICAL VIEWS AND POLICY PREFERENCES ARE AFFECTED BY RACIAL RESENTMENT? AND HOW? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? HOW DOES IT HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT MOMENT IN POLITICS AND WHY DOES THIS MATTER? (about 150-225 words)
Reading Book: The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee
2. ABOUT FORMER U.S. SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE AND THE MODEL OF ORGANIZING AND LEADERSHIP HE DEVELOPED. WHAT DID YOU THINK? WHAT IS THE "WELLSTONE TRIANGLE" AND HOW IS THIS MODEL OF LEARNING POTENTIALLY MORE PROMISING FOR DEMOCRACY THAN THE "HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW" APPROACH? HOW IS THIS CLASS HELPING US UNDERSTAND AND APPLY THIS MODEL? (about 150 words)
Readings:
https://inthesetimes(dot)com/article/a-winning-progressive-politics
3. In the videos, ABOUT JANE MEYER AND NANCY MacLEAN THAT DISCUSS THE HISTORY OF THE EXTREME RIGHT AND THE INFLUENCE OF PRO-ELITE POWER BROKERS. WHAT ARE TWO MAIN POINTS THESE RESEARCHERS MAKE ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE VERY UNPOPULAR VIEWS CAME TO DOMINATE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND TAKE OVER THE COUNTRY, AND WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO WITH THEIR POWER? (about 150-200 words)
Videos:
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=4jm6_WdQIe8
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=zbYUXlGGQlU
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=AZZ9At_LNL8
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=MsBNwMjEo90
Instructor
Course
Date
Political Science
Question 1
The main takeaway from chapter six of the book is how white supremacy has contributed to voter suppression to allow the minority to rule over the majority. The use of money to influence the outcome of elections has contributed to a racially skewed system that invalidates the voice of a majority of Americans but favors the economic elite and organized groups representing business interests (McGhee 149). In chapter two of the book, McGhee uses the term “racial resentment” to indicate the negative beliefs that some whites have against people of color. Such individuals rely on stereotypes to discriminate against people of color. Individuals with high racial resentment are more likely to oppose racial public policies that protect people of color, like nondiscriminatory employment and college quotas (McGhee 40). Racial resentment drives individuals to consider people of color as having an unfair advantage, fueling feelings of hatred toward them. The underlying worldview of racial resentment is the idea that the progress of Black people is at the expense of white people (McGhee 21). Racial resentment affects how white people see policies meant to assist Black people. For instance, any attempt to advocate for Blacks, like racial inequality in health and economic status, is seen as an attempt to create a zero-sum game. The outcome of the resentment is far-reaching, considering that it makes it challenging to make policies aimed at promoting the welfare of the Blacks. Understanding racial resentment is critical in explaining why society has remained polarized, despite the attempts to create a unified society.
Question 2
Former US Senator Paul Wellstone’s model of organizing and leadership is critical because it focuses on getting power to the hands of the people rather than the corporations and special interest groups. He believes grassroots organizing is the best approach to bringing the change the US desperately needs. This entails listening to, lobbying, and advocating for the ordinary people instead of...