For generations white males have had the levers of power firmly in their grasp. Media and popular culure have showered their subtle praises upon them casting them always as gallant heroes, intellectual giants, and benevolent leaders. But it seems the tide of public opinion has turned against the white male recently. As a young, white male I'm concerned about what is being done to my brand by the banksters, GOPers and tea party cranks. With tongues firmly in cheeks let's discuss the decline of the once great and powerful white man. Have we lost our favored status in the hearts and minds of the nation? What will be the consequences of turning away from the traditional assumptions of how leadership and wisdom appear?
There was a time not long ago when men like Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, John McCain and Newt Gingrich were looked upon as experienced leaders; when financial titans like Jamie Dimon, Bernie Madoff, Mitt Romney, Rick Rubin, Alan Greenspan and Hank Paulson were given the highest of deference and respect. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
With some seriousness, I believe recent events have blown a huge hole in the image of the white male possessing the qualities of leadership and wisdom. Men like Mitt Romney and the banksters I mentioned above have been exposed as the out-of-touch, fraudulent, self-interested scumbags they are. The GOPs ever-more rightward shift reflected in their regressive positions on women's rights, immigration, gun control, and homosexuality and their unwavering fealty to the wealthy and corporations has alienated them from the majority of Americans. The GOP is the party of the white male and they are a complete trainwreck at the moment. An omni-shambles if you will.
My concern as a young, white, male professional is that the GOP and the financial sector fraudsters have poisoned the well for me. When I see a well-dressed white male I no longer get the impression that he must be a good and respectable guy. My first impression is that he is probably a conservative asshole, politically deluded, potentially racist, classist and mysogynist. If the white men of the GOP and the suits on Wall Street continue their shameful behavior will people perceive of me that way in the future as well?
While white males are still greatly overrepresented in our legislative bodies and board rooms demographics are clearly shifting. Women now make up the majority of college attendees and minority participation has greatly increased. If the disastrous leadership in Congress and at major corporations of recent generations is any indication these trends can only be encouraging for the future of this nation and the world.
What do you think Daily Kos? Is the era of the white man coming to an end? Have the GOP and Wall Street fraudsters damaged your perception of white men in general?