What To Watch Out For When Dealing With White America

Kofi Annan, the former U.N. Secretary General, famously stated, “None of us is born to hate; intolerance is taught and can be untaught.” In March 2015, then-House Speaker John Boehner extended an invitation to Pope Francis to address Congress, a historic moment as no reigning pontiff had previously spoken before America's legislative assembly. Often, significant occurrences are overlooked in our daily lives, and this speech was one such occasion.During the 1920s, such a visit would have been unimaginable, as Protestant Americans harbored deep-seated animosity toward Catholics. The reception accorded to Pope Francis by Congress highlighted remarkable progress against religious intolerance. Historically, many White Protestants feared that the pope could seize control of the U.S., perpetuating deep-rooted animosities. Despite being a nation of religious liberty, bigotry grew rampant. Subcultures within society often propagate racial and religious intolerance, and it was Donald Trump who gave voice to this darkness in 2016. Following his election, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported increased derogatory remarks among students, showing how leadership can significantly impact societal attitudes.