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Exceptionalism + Election

Exceptionalism is often seen in the election and many of us don't even realize it. Exceptionalism is the idea that America is better than most, and an idea that our nation has great wealth and power because we deserve it.

Via bigeducationape.blogspot.com

Alexis de Tocqueville was the first to coin the concept of 'American exceptionalism' used towards the United States.

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Quoted in the article by The Atlantic "Obamas New American Exceptionalism" by Ron Fournier; Fournier states, "First used with respect to the United States by Alexis de Tocqueville, the concept of American exceptionalism is that this country differs qualitatively from other developed nations because of its national credo, ethnic diversity, and revolution-sprung history. It is often expressed as superiority: The United States is the biggest, most powerful, smartest, richest, and most-deserving country on Earth."

Hillary Clinton is known for her exceptionalism ways as thinking it is a moral responsibility, social gospel, a way to model consistency and believing that we as a nation are already great.

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Foran in the article by The Atlantic "The Inverted Politics of American Exceptionalism" states that, "“American exceptionalism,” defining it as “the conviction that our country holds a unique place and role in human history.” Now, however, Clinton is going out of her way to embrace the idea of American exceptionalism."

While we all know Obama is the best person on Earth!! He too even has exceptionalism ways!

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Obama is most known for his aspirational critiques, his belief in free speech, and all types of exceptionalism. In the article by The Atlantic "The Inverted Politics of American Exceptionalism" by Ron Fournier goes on to explain Obama's exceptionalist belifs, he states that "It’s a patriotism that embraces the darker moments in American history and celebrates the ability of the unsung and the outsiders to challenge the country’s elite.”

The history of exceptionalism stretches all the way back too to the time of 1961. In 1961 John F. Kennedy's speech "City Upon a Hill" ,Kennedy approaches citizens with an emotional exceptionalist appeal.

In the speech Kennedy refers to the leaders that have previously achieved greatness for the future of the country, and the principals that have done well for our surrounding countries and the nation that has has all eyes upon us.

In 1989 Ronald Reagan gave his Farewell Address to the Nation, where he spoke for the last time as president, addressing the high lights and low lights of his eight years, and reflecting on how far the nation has come.

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Reagan reiterates the fact that because we are a great nation, our challenges seem complicated- however, as long as we remember our principals and believe in ourselves, the future will be ours.

Back in 1965, James Baldwin speaks on behalf of the American Dream and the American Negro.

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James explains how it is shocking that the negro is not white, and their is simply nothing he can do about it. James has given up on the fifth amendment. Baldwin explains that white people are raised to believe that at least they are not black, and that white people are too murders, liars, and dictators- they are not above everyone else.

Dating all the way back to 1630 Winthrop preached about political wisdom to prepare the people for planning a new society in todays environment.

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Winthrop had a good outlook into the future, and spoke about the law of nature that was given to a man in the state of innocence, in which their were no rules for dealing with enemies, all to be considered friends.

What so many fail to realize is that today issues of racism are still present!

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Today both white and black people still believe the issues of racism are still present- and among white people their is a lingering view that the 'America Dream' is fixed and when their is an advancement of one group, it comes at an expense of another.

Adding to the idea that racism still exists today is, the unfortunate reality in the election today is that Trump took hate groups to be mainstream and calls upon exceptionalism on a daily basis.

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Trump clearly thinks (even though we all know it is so not) it is okay and that he deserves the right to be endorsed by neo-natzi websites, and have a plan to simply deport millions of Americans in the United States that have families and lives here.

With all this being said folks, the unfortunate reality is that exceptionalism in the election is a real thing, and our president elect is Donald Trump- so, I am going to leave you with this.