Former President Donald Trump, often criticized as one of the most divisive politicians, has ironically emerged as a unifying figure for our divided nation. This shift is both intriguing and highly uplifting. The United States, like many other countries, has a history rooted in slavery. However, following the painful Civil War, the U.S. enacted the Civil Rights Act, enshrining equality into law and gradually reducing racism.
Yet, there are those who cling to what I term as “nostalgia for racism,” unable to break free from it due to various reasons, from clinging to outdated beliefs to serving personal interests. Throughout the post-World War II era, it has been assumed that minority groups would vote for the Democratic Party regardless of whether it truly benefits them.
It was heartening to witness a diverse group of Americans gather at familiar places from Yankee Stadium to the Bronx’s Van Cortlandt Park. At a rally in Crotona Park in the southern Bronx, Trump drew unexpectedly large crowds with supporters from various racial backgrounds, challenging one of the most regressive forces in our culture – identity politics.
I intentionally use the term “regressive” because it has historically been the ultimate insult to any leftist, implying backwardness. Since the left abandoned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s color-blind, character-based idealism in favor of regressive race-critical theories and so-called anti-racism rhetoric, most leftists have been entrenched in these notions. Both of these ideologies elevate race over character, which makes no sense to anyone genuinely examining human behavior from a moral perspective.
For the sake of social progress and to uphold or realize the “American idea” or “American dream,” identity politics must be eradicated. I do not suggest stripping people of their identities; Mexican-Americans should still celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and Irish-Americans can continue with St. Patrick’s Day festivities. However, these identities should not define them entirely; they are American citizens, as our founding documents proclaim that “all men are created equal,” irrespective of race, religion, or color – a challenging, yet invaluable, goal.
President Trump’s speech in the Bronx deviated from his norm, calling for collaboration with New York Democratic officials, the governor, and the mayor to make New York great again (MNYGA). This political stance, bridging parties in an extremely divided country, has been something the former president had previously been reluctant to engage in but seems to be embracing now. While his Bronx rally is evidently motivated by electoral aims, seeking to challenge New York or at least make significant progress, it compels his opponents to invest more time and resources in a state they usually consider a stronghold.
Beyond mere electoral politics, however, this is about our nation’s soul. While the notion of the nation’s soul may sound grandiose, in the midst of the ongoing election cycle, it deserves our undivided attention. Few among us have not experienced the profound pain of societal division, witnessing families and friendships torn asunder by political differences.
During his speech in the Bronx, President Trump refrained from his usual insulting political discourse, preferring a message centered on unity. Our nation is in dire need of healing more than ever before. It is a pressing necessity.
Roger L. Simon is an award-winning novelist and Oscar-nominated screenwriter. His latest book, “American Refugees: The Untold Story of the Mass Migration from Blue to Red States (2024),” published by Encounter Publishing based in New York. He has been banned from the X platform.