How white nationalism exacerbates the politics of mass incarceration and mass deportation? What are the consequences of perceiving people of color as a problem?

 

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Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

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The Impact of White Nationalism on Mass Incarceration and Mass Deportation

Thesis Statement

White nationalism exacerbates the politics of mass incarceration and mass deportation by framing people of color as threats to societal order and economic stability. This perception leads to discriminatory policies and practices that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, perpetuating cycles of inequality and social division.

The Role of White Nationalism in Shaping Policies

White nationalism, characterized by the belief in the superiority of white identity and culture, shapes public perception and policy regarding race, immigration, and crime. This ideology promotes the idea that people of color are inherently problematic, fueling fears and justifying harsh measures such as mass incarceration and deportation.

1. Criminalization of Communities of Color: White nationalism fosters a narrative that criminalizes people of color, portraying them as dangerous or deviant. This perception influences law enforcement practices, leading to over-policing in communities predominantly inhabited by people of color. For example, the war on drugs disproportionately targeted Black and Latino communities, resulting in higher incarceration rates for non-violent drug offenses compared to their white counterparts (Alexander, 2010).

2. Immigration Policies: Similarly, white nationalist sentiments have shaped immigration policies that frame undocumented immigrants as criminals or threats to national security. This rhetoric has led to increased deportations, particularly of Latinx individuals, who are often viewed through a lens of suspicion and hostility. The Trump administration’s emphasis on building a border wall and enforcing strict immigration laws is a manifestation of these beliefs, reinforcing the idea that immigrants are a societal problem rather than contributors to the economy and culture.

Consequences of Perceiving People of Color as a Problem

The perception of people of color as a problem has dire consequences for individuals and society at large.

1. Social Division: Viewing communities of color through a lens of suspicion fosters social division and animosity. It creates an “us versus them” mentality, undermining social cohesion and community trust. This division can lead to increased racial tensions, violence, and discrimination.

2. Cycle of Inequality: Policies influenced by white nationalist ideologies perpetuate cycles of poverty and disadvantage among communities of color. Mass incarceration often leads to disenfranchisement, limiting access to jobs, education, and housing opportunities. The stigma associated with incarceration further alienates individuals from their communities, making reintegration difficult.

3. Mental Health Impacts: The constant surveillance and criminalization experienced by people of color can lead to significant mental health challenges. The stress and trauma associated with living in marginalized communities—exacerbated by fear of incarceration or deportation—can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues.

4. Erosion of Civil Rights: The framing of people of color as a problem undermines civil rights protections. As policies become increasingly punitive, they often sidestep constitutional rights, leading to systemic injustices that affect not only individuals but also the broader society’s commitment to equality and justice.

Conclusion

White nationalism plays a significant role in shaping the politics surrounding mass incarceration and mass deportation by framing people of color as societal threats. This perception leads to discriminatory policies that exacerbate cycles of inequality, social division, and violence. Understanding the implications of viewing marginalized communities through a negative lens is crucial for addressing systemic racism and fostering a more just and equitable society.

References

– Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.

 

 

 

 

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