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Introduction: The Myth of “Taking Back the Country”

The phrase “We have our country back” has become a rallying cry for those seeking a return to an imagined past where they believe white Americans thrived without interruption. However, this narrative is not only historically inaccurate but also rooted in an illusion designed to obscure the realities of systemic inequality and class exploitation. The truth is that the United States was built on the stolen land of Native Americans, the labor of enslaved Africans, and the exploitation of marginalized groups. The notion of “taking it back” is a distraction from the real issues of class disparity and systemic oppression.

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1. Whose Country Was It?

The Land and Its Original Stewards

• The United States was founded on land stolen from Native Americans through violent colonization, forced displacement, and genocide.
• Indigenous people were systematically removed to make way for settler colonialism, and their contributions and rights continue to be erased in modern narratives.

The Labor That Built America

• The foundation of American prosperity was constructed on the backs of enslaved Africans.
• Enslaved labor drove the agricultural and industrial economies that made the U.S. a global power.

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2. The Myth of White Prosperity

The Illusion of Inclusion

• Throughout American history, the ruling class has used race to divide and control the working class:
  • White workers were given the illusion of superiority through systemic privileges tied to their skin color.
  • However, the majority of white Americans were also excluded from the wealth and power of the ruling elite.

Historical Realities

• Even during times of institutionalized racism, such as slavery or Jim Crow, the majority of white Americans lived in poverty.
• The ruling class maintained its dominance by ensuring that poor whites and people of color did not unite to challenge systemic inequality.

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3. The Distraction of “Taking It Back”

What Does “Back” Really Mean?

• Calls to return to a “better time” in America are vague but often imply a desire to revert to:
  • A pre-Civil Rights era when people of color had fewer rights.
  • A time before women gained the right to vote and participate in public life.
  • A period where marginalized communities were further excluded from opportunities.

A Tool of Division

• The rhetoric of “taking it back” is a deliberate tactic to:
  • Divide poor and working-class people along racial lines.
  • Prevent the formation of class solidarity, which poses a threat to the ruling elite.

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4. The Role of Class Consciousness

The Power of Unity

• Leaders like Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, and Martin Luther King Jr. recognized the importance of bridging racial and economic divides:
  • They advocated for solidarity among poor and working-class people across racial and cultural lines.
  • Their focus on economic justice and class consciousness made them targets of state repression.

Why the Ruling Class Fears Solidarity

• There are more poor and working-class people than elites in power.
• When class consciousness emerges, it threatens the structures that maintain inequality.
• Historical examples show that movements uniting workers across racial lines are met with violent suppression, as seen in the assassinations of key leaders.

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5. The Evidence is Clear

A Legacy of Exploitation

• The exploitation of labor and resources has always been at the core of American systems of power.
• Racial divisions are used to distract from the economic exploitation that affects all working-class people.

The Resistance to Change

• Institutions and systems have long resisted efforts to bridge class divides:
  • Barriers to education, voting rights, and economic opportunities are strategically maintained.
  • The media often perpetuates narratives that reinforce division and uphold the status quo.

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6. Moving Forward: The Need for Awareness

Recognizing the Illusion

• The idea of “taking the country back” is a myth designed to keep people fighting each other rather than the systems that oppress them.
• True progress requires acknowledging the realities of history and the ongoing exploitation of marginalized groups.

Building Class Solidarity

• To challenge systemic inequality, there must be a focus on uniting poor and working-class people across racial and cultural divides.
• This requires an understanding of how race and class are weaponized to maintain power for the few.

The Path to Justice

• Justice and equity require dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality and creating opportunities for all people, regardless of race or background.

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Conclusion: The Real Work Ahead

The rhetoric of “We have our country back” is a distraction from the real challenges of addressing systemic inequality and building class solidarity. The evidence is clear: American systems of power have always relied on exploitation and division to maintain control. Moving forward requires rejecting these illusions, embracing historical truths, and working together to create a more just and equitable society for everyone.