America: Peace in Violent Land?

Written by Frank Li

“No justice, no peace” is a popular slogan among the protesters all over America nowadays.

Since I have already published on “justice” (America: Justice in Unjust Land?), it’s time for me to write on “peace”, with a profound question: Will there truly be “peace” on this piece of land, which was built on violence, from the initial European settlements to the independence from Britain?

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0. Overview

America is one of the most violent countries throughout history, both abroad (Jimmy Carter Lectures Trump: US ‘Most Warlike Nation in History of the World’) and at home, especially in terms of gun violence (List of countries by firearm-related death rate), police brutality (image below), and incarceration (U.S. has World’s Highest Incarceration Rate) – Need I mention slavery in the old days and lynching in the South up to the 1960s?

Why is that?

Four main reasons:

1. America was founded via violence.
2. America was founded by/of/for the rich.
3. America remains a country by/of/for the rich.
4. America is exceptional, in violence!

Let me elaborate on each …

1. America was founded via violence

Unlike Canada or Australia, which gained independence from Britain without violence, America gained hers via the American Revolution.

What, then, is the American Revolution?

It was a fight for freedom (or liberty) and self-governing (or against the “tyranny of the king”), right?

Wrong!

The American Revolution was not about freedom per se! Instead, it was chiefly instigated by a bunch of rich people, most notably Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who wanted to keep more to themselves (instead of paying more taxes to the mother country), including the possibility of swallowing up everything that still belonged to the indigenous people, specifically and explicitly against King George III‘s decree (Royal Proclamation of 1763). They conspicuously hid this real reason behind an eloquent slogan of “no taxation without representation” and took a modest risk throughout the American Revolutionary War for huge potential gains.

Nor was the American Revolution about self-governing per se! It turned out that the American revolutionaries just did not like the British King (at the time). After the war was over, they asked George Washington to be their [new] king, instead. But Washington refused, thus making it possible for America to be a republic …

For more, read: What is The American Revolution, Anyway?

2. America was founded by/of/for the rich

What kind of government did the rich want after winning the American Revolutionary War?

A “limited” government, which would not only leave them alone in the pursuit of “happiness” (or fortune), but also work for them to make them even richer, especially via territory expansion.

Specifically, these two issues were left alone at the founding of the country:

1. Slavery.
2. Gun ownership (Second Amendment to the United States Constitution).

Both proved to be major sources of violence at home ever since.

What about having a government working for the rich to make them even richer via territory expansion? Two examples:

1. Monroe Doctrine.
2. Trail of Tears.

As a result, poverty and violence were deeply rooted in America, systemically!

3. America remains a country by/of/for the rich

It took us a Civil War (American Civil War) to address the slavery issue, and it may take us another civil war to address the gun ownership issue (America: Guns vs. Slavery).

What about territory expansion?

Look at the map below.

Now, what does the “limited” government look like today?

We have ended up with a huge, but dysfunctional, government that is still by/of/for the rich, who control the politicians with their money! Two big examples:

1. The Military-Industrial Complex (The Evil Military-Industrial Complex).
2. NRA (National Rifle Association).

As a result, poverty and violence remain deeply rooted in America, systemically!

4. America is exceptional, in violence!

The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.

For more, read: Jimmy Carter Lectures Trump: US ‘Most Warlike Nation in History of the World’.

Now, let’s look at American violence at home and abroad, respectively.

4.1 Violence at home

Five examples:

1. Slavery in the United States.
2. Wounded Knee Massacre.
3. Lynching in the United States.
4. 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
5. Police brutality and the enabling culture (image below).

4.2 Violence abroad

Four examples:

1. Bikini Atoll is still uninhabitable: Radiation on island exceeds safety standards nearly 60 years after nuclear tests.
2. Vietnam War.
3. Iraq War.
4. Syrian Civil War.

5. Discussion

Peace is opposite to violence (or war).

Unfortunately, many Americans cannot spell the word “peace”, while embracing violence both at home and abroad.

Why is that?

Two main reasons:

1. It’s leadership, stupid!
2. It’s in the genes!

Let me elaborate on each …

5.1 It’s leadership, stupid!

The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.

5.2 It’s in the genes!

America might have been “wrong”, especially in terms of violence and racism, since the beginning of her time!

5.3 The U.S. vs. China

In contrast, China is arguably the greatest country in human history. Two facts:

1. China has the longest continuous civilization in human history.
2. Throughout human history, great civilizations have come and gone, with one major exception: China – come, almost gone, and come again.

Two informative readings comparing the U.S. with China:

1. The U.S. vs. China: A Great Experiment vs. A Great Civilization!
2. Resilience: The U.S. vs. China.

Now, if you want to debate me about China, here is my answer: Truly understand America first, as everything is relative! Two informative readings:

1. Everything You Think You Know About America Is Wrong?
2. Media Distortion: From Boston Massacre to Fox News.

In short, America has a long way to go to be a civilization, let alone as enduring as China!

Unfortunately, instead of learning from China, China-bashing has become a bi-partisan sport in America, with many China-haters trying to contain China, by force if necessary (Tom Cotton accuses China of intentionally seeding coronavirus cases in other countries to maintain power).

Totally stupid!

For more, read: Comeback: China vs. Michael Jordan.

5.4 The only solution

America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested (American Democracy – Why is it failing & how to fix it?), or become a fiddle, second to China!

6. Summary

Repeat: Will there truly be “peace” on this piece of land, which not only was built on violence, but also has proven to be one of the most violent countries throughout history?

Answer: extremely unlikely!

“No justice, no peace”?

America has neither, and it will take a long time to have both!

7. Closing

Both justice and peace are huge subjects. I have chipped in on both. What about you?

Now, please sit back and watch two videos below.

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