Some Americans seem enamored with past versions of our society. At first glance, this fixation appears harmless. After all, memory plays a pivotal role in shaping our personality and cultural identity. Yet, there's a dark side to collective nostalgia. Focusing only on the positive elements of our past paints a rosy image that strays from reality. Take, for instance, statements made by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in a recent Fox News interview. He rose to political power in the Republican Party by vowing to remove critical race theory from the classroom. Even though no K-12 schools introduce students to the framework, he railed against its inclusion. So, it made sense that he would applaud the state university closing DEI offices. Youngkin claimed this shift would restore the values of Thomas Jefferson. This sentiment seems misplaced because of the harm of banning diversity, equity, and inclusion offices. Yet, he was right about one thing — our society's shifting values.
Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States, would likely approve of this attack on DEI. After all, he enslaved 600 African people throughout his life. He believed Black people were inferior and "incapable as children," to be exact. He would likely disapprove of an office that embraced equity. Jefferson supported their mass deportation, the polar opposite of inclusion. Rather than granting Black people freedom and citizenship, he helped to maintain unjust conditions. And sought their exclusion. Before becoming president, Jefferson co-authored the Declaration of Independence. This document claimed "all men are created equal." Yet, he failed to apply this principle to Black people. His active participation in the slave trade and rejection of Benjamin Banneker's brilliance as an anomaly make this point clear. No one could accuse him of being an equal opportunity employer. So, yes, the end of DEI in public institutions brings our society closer to the ideals of Jefferson. But given his mistreatment of Black people, we can hardly call this a worthwhile goal. Youngkin's comments show how this fixation on the past overlooks racial injustice.
The problem with nostalgia is that it romanticizes entire periods. Even though doing so robs them of an opportunity to engage in critical analysis. The past teaches us, but it's unwise to worship historical figures. Youngin and others are celebrating their victory in dismantling DEI programs. That type of political gesturing will likely continue. Yet, banning these programs stymies efforts to mitigate discrimination. "Nostalgic sentiments exasperate prejudice and discrimination" and "perpetuate the belief that things were better when America was more unjust." Some prefer a pleasant narrative to an honest one. This fixation on nostalgia normalizes socially regressive policies. We were not better off in the past. Back then, Black people had to sit in the back of buses, trolleys, and trains. Nor were we better off before women could open their bank accounts or cast a ballot. While the past offers many lessons, we should be cautious of nostalgia.
Nostalgia positions black history as intrusive, like a fly in the punch bowl. People experience discomfort when confronted with ideas that challenge their core beliefs. And some want them removed. One example would be Thomas Jefferson, who declared all men equal while enslaving hundreds. This is an example of hypocrisy we shouldn't ignore. Fixating on a mythical portrayal of a benevolent figure deprives us of an opportunity to develop an honest evaluation of his tenure. Yet, many White people are hesitant to dive into racially complex narratives. Ironically, many would benefit from black historical narratives. Research suggests cognitive dissonance can transform "habitual and explicit racists." And shatter the spell of nostalgia that captures the attention of so many citizens. Yet, doing so requires a willingness to learn about others' experiences. Of applying an empathetic lens.
Conservatives opposing critical race theory have adopted "patriotic history." This is quite interesting for students of history. The Union Army defeated the Confederacy and established civil rights for Black Americans. Though interrupted by Jim Crow, the Reconstruction Era focused on expanding this effort. So, one could argue that true patriots would support advancing civil rights. Not the disillusionment of them. But, in our society, patriotism means something different for various groups. White nationalists often frame our nation as belonging to White people and position other groups as unwelcome guests. They hope to remove narratives that challenge nostalgic interpretations. To escape "negative self-realization, explicit racists seek to justify their actions as honorable" As if their actions are "necessary for the good of society." Nostalgia is an example of this. Individuals seek to normalize whitewashed narratives by focusing on historical figures’ benefits to society.
A thread exposes the relationship between nostalgia and white identity politics. And it's one that more Americans should pull. A 2013 study found that nostalgia narratives were useful in white racial identity formation. What appears to be colorblind banter perpetuates racism. This is achieved by idolizing historical figures that caused harm to Black people and other racial groups. All the while claiming plausible deniability of any racist attitudes. White Americans' nostalgia is often paired" with themes of innocence and virtuousness." As well as "powerlessness and victimhood." This portrayal of White people as innocent, virtuous, yet powerless overlooks historical evidence. Such as the cruelty and exploitation of labor during chattel slavery. The violent voter suppression and destruction of black communities of Jim Crow. And the lasting legacy of systemic racism in the modern era. We should consider who benefits from such narratives—those who strive to maintain an unjust status quo.
There seems to be a wall of glass between black history and the general public. We can see through it as these narratives are readily accessible in the modern era. Yet, stigmatization, paired with the allure of nostalgia, stands as a barrier. Outward bigotry is easy to identify as a public harm. However, nostalgia appears translucent at first glance. And thus more challenging to see. As the saying goes, "If it were a snake, it would have bit you." Pining for the past seems like a natural byproduct of widespread public dissatisfaction regarding the high cost of inflation—and other difficulties. Yet, it's racist to maintain nostalgia by overlooking black narratives.
One study found that "national nostalgia most strongly predicted positive attitudes toward President Trump." This was especially true for those with "high levels of racial prejudice." Their findings suggested that collective or national nostalgia operates differently from personal memory. This explains why Fox, a conservative network, features politicians who often express nostalgia. And why the slogan, Make America Great Again was selected. It's a reference to an allegedly better time in the past. Idolizing these periods only fans of the flames of white nationalism. While some are ignorant of the truth, others weaponize their incompetence. Or outright oppose the inclusion of multicultural perspectives. The danger of this recollection cannot be found in an early childhood memory of your grandmother cooking. Or any personal memory. But rather, in whitewashed narratives of a so-called "better" or "more simple time,” The current political landscape is hostile to black history. Yet, we should consider the poor of these narratives to shatter misplaced nostalgia.