Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Dr. Fraser- Point of View
June 22, 2018

United States has lost its moral compass

Is that America?

Are those images we are seeing on TV really coming from America? From the America we know, or thought we knew? From the America we dream of moving to? The America that is now home to many of our people? America, that fountain of democracy! When confronted with the inhumane treatment of immigrant children, I have heard Americans say, “This is not our America.” Of course, it is! I repeat what I said previously. What Trump is doing is forcing Americans to look more closely at themselves. He has brought out the racists, rednecks, and bigots from their closets. They are about punishing their country for having the audacity to elect a black president. So, Trump’s mission is to undo everything Obama had done.

America has succeeded in selling a picture of itself as the land of glory and freedom, that welcomes those seeking a new and better life. This, despite the rampant racism that they are at times able to conceal. They have aided and harboured some of the most brutal dictators in the world. They are once again using the bible to give cover to their brutal and immoral behaviour. A section of the evangelical movement even worships him. Did some of us not misread his pledge to make America great again? His lunatic base resents that their ‘real’ America appears to be disappearing, as they see Latinos and blacks becoming more visible. They fear that the life they know will disappear. Lower class whites could have rationalised their existence once there was an ‘under-group’ whose colour defined it, irrespective of education or status. The election of Obama threatened that, so it is back to old times – Trump’s mission! Their pathetic ignorance is not obvious to them, they, whose view of the world is shaped by Fox news. Trump is truth, everything else is fake!

This should force us to look again at ourselves. We felt that America’s system of checks and balances was an obstacle to dictatorial rule. Trump who praises the ‘rocket man’ shows us it is not so, and reminds us that it is people who man and shape constitutions. America does not depend on its government to the extent that we do. Despite racism and the other ills, many migrants still hope they could work their way around them. With us, hope hardly exists and our dependence on government is almost total. Ours is climate favourable to authoritarian and dictatorial rule.

Trump’s irrational and uninformed approach to international trade, draws that country away from its traditional partners and spells trouble for us. The cost of imports from America is likely to increase consequentially. When he has finished his battle with the Latinos and Muslims, our people in the diaspora might be next. His pledge, publicly announced, to punish countries that vote in international fora against his edicts might frighten some of our leaders and force them to say ‘Uncle’. Would you put it past the madman to limit or even ban remittances sent to relatives? There are rough times ahead. We can’t sit back and say “That is America”, for when they sneeze we catch a cold and get pneumonia.

As I write and reflect on this, I take comfort that people are fighting back. Those churches that retain their sanity are speaking out. The peoples’ reaction is causing some Republican Congressmen to take cover. The international community is speaking out. The US meanwhile has announced its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, citing among other things, the dubious record of some members. Irony of ironies! That statement from a country that has lost its moral compass! That is America, for You!   
 
Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversery
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversery
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok