We’ve read a bit more of Huntington and all of _Races, Wrongs, and Remedies_. A big theme in these readings is the way in which American society has approached the question of American identity over the past half century or so. Huntington classifies the approach that has emerged as dominant as ‘deconstructionist.’
Using the readings, respond to the statement in bold below. You may take any position on it you like; just be sure that you make a case for your position based on the readings.
The psychology of victimization described in Wax’s book is incompatible with the original Anglo-Protestant view of American identity, and specifically it is incompatible with the Anglo-Protestant cultural ideals of self-reliance, self-improvement, and the work ethic. The way in which we have to understand the situation of American blacks requires us to throw out those earlier ways of conceiving American identity and accept instead that some historically disadvantaged groups are effectively powerless to help themselves.