Social media and traditional media are having a heyday over Donald Trump's un-PC behaviour toward The New York Times journalist Serge Kovaleski. During a campaign rally, Trump made mocking gestures for Kovaleski's congenital condition, arthrogryposis, which limits his joint movements.
The Republican presidential candidate made a categorical denial and in fact says: "I have no idea who this reporter, Serge Kovalski is, what he looks like or his level of intelligence."
Trump also claims not to know of Kovaleski's physical abilities or disabilities. Kovaleski, however, refutes Trump's denial and says that they are on first name basis with each other for a long time now. He also says that they have had interviews in Trump's office, spoken in press conferences and interacted since Kovaleski's days at the Daily News.
This is not the first time that Trump has come under fire for his statements and opinions. Yet, despite Trump's unpopular public gestures, many an American still root for him.
A recent poll by the Pew Research may help set up the link. The poll asked respondents if they believe that their side is winning or if they think it is losing on issues that matter to them in politics. Around 64 percent responded that their side is losing. This number includes "whites, upper-income Americans and men".
Catherine Rampell of The Washington Post summarises the poll's findings: "At least, we Americans have begun to see ourselves that way. Whether young or old, male or female, white or black, highly educated or unschooled, Democrat or Republican, rich or poor, we ... believe we're losers..."
According to Ms. Rampell, the seeming perception of being on the losing end despite successes in many aspects of sociopolitical issues is significant. The consistent experience of being barraged by messages that the Americans have lost greatness and that forces and groups are working to push Americans to their knees appear to have taken root. Curiously, Americans seem to love it.
So much so that people like Trump find the perfect platform to sell fear, distrust, a sense of vulnerability, of needing saving so that they can put themselves forward as the saviour. When Trump told voters in Iowa that everyone and everything are beating on Americans from all sides, people listened willingly. To many of them, Trump actually looks more and more like a conquering hero.
In Ms. Rampell's words: "There are two main reasons why such loserly narratives have proliferated: Audiences want to hear them, and leaders want to deliver them."
The underdog mentality of a people made to believe that they are unjustly treated, it seems, serves as a kind of license to relinquish responsibility especially from facing up to their own shortcomings.
And maybe, that is what needs turning around. America remains a strong country, the American economy is making good on the promise of growth and America's political aims are already being met. All Americans need to do is recognise these.
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- Lonely Deaths in New York: George Bell's Story
