this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2026
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[–] wuffah@lemmy.world 26 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

This is what makes us American. Not our race, creed, color, religion, gender, orientation, or anything else that might divide us. We stand united in our beliefs of self-governance, equality, and the pursuit of happiness.

Elon Musk and his racist father can go straight to hell.

[–] Quokka@quokk.au 10 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

Didn’t that only apply to white men at the time?

[–] wuffah@lemmy.world 13 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

Yes, and not only that, the very forefathers who signed this declaration enslaved the people it didn’t apply to for a long time after.

This bright vision of America is contrasted by the hypocrisy and failures of its leaders and citizens from then and to this day. But it is also upheld by brave people who dedicate their lives to correcting it, and the everyday citizens who participate in their government to shape that vision.

Musk’s ironic and oblivious endorsement of white colonization could be said to reflect the hypocrisy of the first colonizing immigrants to this land, and the founding fathers. But his words do not reflect their ideals as laid out in the Constitution and the Declaration. I think the first step in eliminating that hypocrisy is holding ourselves to those ideals today.

I think that while racism is an American tradition, it is not an American idea and so must be rejected out of hand. Musk may live here, and operate massive business interests intertwined with our government, and he may technically be a citizen, but he is not an American in my view.

[–] jatone@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

yes, are you implying you'd prefer that americans continue that particular interpretation? or adopt the one this person is advocating for?

[–] Quokka@quokk.au 11 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

I’m saying it’s a lie and always has been. Americans need to stop fantasising about the past. Same goes with the creepy reverence for the founding fathers.

Focus on the future and building a better world, not clinging to a past that never existed.

[–] jatone@lemmy.dbzer0.com -3 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

so they shouldnt aspire to being better got it.

[–] Quokka@quokk.au 5 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

No they should, that's exactly why they should ditch the tainted words of liars. You can strive for these things without clinging on to a rose tinted past.

Your nationalism is exactly why you are stuck struggling like his. It needs to die already.

[–] jatone@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

I was hoping to instill a moment of self reflection into you. but clearly that didnt happen.

The words / aspirations coming from a flawed group of men don't demean the nature of those aspirations. It simply means some things transcend cultures/generations. And I will note a fair number of the men involved in that whole process did aspire to them and wrote against slavery, for allowing women to vote, and other such things that align with your world view. surprise LGBTQ+ existed in the 1700s as well!

Nor do they necessarily invoke nationalism you're railing against.

You can strive for these things without clinging on to a rose tinted past.

what percisely is 'rose tinted past' about this paragraph? and which parts do you disagree with? be specific now.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

On the one had you're 'yes of course they should aspire to the meaning of those words' and on the other your harassing an individual whose invoking them in the hope of inspiring people to actually live up to them.

Your nationalism is exactly why you are stuck struggling like his. It needs to die already.

America's*** not mine. see the distinction there?

[–] finallymadeanaccount@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Focus on the future and building a better world

Did you miss that part?

[–] jatone@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 hours ago

no, it was irrelevant to their harassment of the person they were replying to.

[–] flandish@lemmy.world 3 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

yes, and it was known from the start to be lies. lies are what makes us american. they knew “all men” meant “white and landed”. then a century later they “had” to give more equality so they sprinkle a little crack around and boom got some slave labor again.

fuck america in all its forms.

it was never a real place.

edit: if i sound pissed it’s cause i am. also remember “white” meant “not irish. not italian. not catholic. not gay.” all sorts of shit over time. musk is a completely irredeemable piece of shit.