Fear of “Others” Enrages The Right and Decides The Vote

A 1915 view of the American Congress with post-Civil War equality: Black Senators put bare feet on the desks and wander the aisles eating chicken.

In 1915 the silent film “Birth of a Nation” told the story of two families in the 1860’s who became united facing the threat posed by free blacks. The film’s version of America’s future was one where racial superiority united all (white) people.

This view was embraced by many Americans at the time, and probably converted many others. The movie was, sadly, boosted by…