MAGA - The Downsides

Brian Sankarsingh wonders what's so great about the past

Photo by Mizanur Rahman on Unsplash

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I don’t know about you, but the whole “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement has been gnawing on my mind. In fact, I would go so far to say that any populist political movement that wants to “Make [Whatever] Great Again feels like an itch in my brain that I cannot seem to scratch. “But why?” You innocently ask. Well, here are a bunch of reasons why that are set specifically in the context of the MAGA phenomena but which, I believe, can be applied to every similar movement.

First and foremost is the seeming nostalgia for a golden age of yore. This suggests that there was a period in the past when things were better, more successful, or more aligned with certain ideals. The phrase evokes a longing for this period, often described as a "golden age." A “once upon a time” when society and the nation was seen as thriving, stable, or exceptional. The underlying belief is that something has been lost over time. This something could be cultural values, economic prosperity, an appearance of national unity, or social cohesion. The hope is to return to that better, more prosperous state.

The problem is that this simplistic emotion, often overlooks the complexities and challenges of that "better time," and may overlook how things were not necessarily perfect in the past. It also alludes to a time that may have been special or golden for a specific group of people; or in the case of MAGA a specific race of people.

Often following the “make “wherever” great again” is the phrase that is often used as a critique of the current state of affairs. The implication is that things have degraded or declined and need to be "fixed" or "restored" to a former glory. The current condition is viewed as lacking, underperforming, or straying from what it once was. This could include a decrease in quality, ethical standards, or performance. It creates a contrast between the past and present, often framing the present negatively.

The problem with this is that the people make these grand statements and even grander assumptions of the past without having a true understanding of it. The undeniable fact is that society has improved vastly since that golden age. Movements demanding equality and justice have gained momentum over the past few decades. This means that for the people living on the fringes, those facing barriers because of their race, sexual orientation and colour have actually seen their lives improve.

"Make something great again" often ties into the idea of needing a strong leader or a strikingly clear vision for a return to greatness. The phrase often evokes the notion that the right leadership is the key to unlocking the potential of the past and restoring what has been lost. This might indicate that the previous leadership (or lack of leadership) is seen as insufficient, and a new, more effective direction is needed. The implication is that the individual or group invoking the phrase presents themselves as the answer to bringing back this greatness, promising strong, decisive action to rectify the situation.

Here's the thing. If you don’t see a problem with this, chances are that you are part of the group making the claim of wanting to return to a “better time.”

The phrase can also be a call to return to certain foundational values or principles that were once central to the identity of a group, organization, or nation. The idea is that these values have been forgotten or undermined and need to be revived. This could refer to political, cultural, or societal ideals such as patriotism, traditional family values, or a certain moral or religious code that may have been perceived to have diminished in importance. The phrase may be used as a rallying cry for those who feel that these core values are under threat or have been eroded by modern changes.

Can you tell what’s wrong with this? You see that “supposed restoration” almost always means that some group or race of people lose the rights and recognition they fought hard for between the past and the present.

There is often an underlying resistance to the present-day, modern world in this call for restoration. It can imply that change, especially rapid or radical change, has led to a decline, and that the solution lies in returning to an earlier way of doing things. This is particularly relevant in political or social contexts where technological advancement, globalization, or shifts in cultural norms are seen as destabilizing forces. The phrase can be used to advocate for a simpler, more traditional way of life that is seen as more stable or virtuous. However, this can, and most often does, overlook the positive aspects of modern development and progress.

The phrase can often be used as a simplistic, catchy slogan that reduces complex issues to an overly simple solution. It implies that "greatness" is a clear and attainable goal, ignoring the nuances or multifaceted challenges that may need to be addressed. In a practical sense, this reductive approach can oversimplify issues like economic inequality, racism, social injustice, or political dysfunction. The implication is that a single strategy which is parlayed most often as a leadership shift, religious about turn or a cultural reversal can "fix" these problems. In reality, these issues are often far more complicated and require a more nuanced approach. A heavy-handed approach almost always means that a group or race of people will lose rights and recognition.

The MAGA-type phrase is often used as a rallying cry in political campaigns or movements, suggesting that the restoration of greatness will unite people and create a common purpose. It’s a call to action, meant to mobilize those who feel disenfranchised or alienated. It appeals to people who feel that their country or community has lost its way and need a collective effort to regain that former greatness. The use of the word "again" implies that there is a clear target (most often the past) that everyone can rally around. It becomes a unifying slogan, but also one that can be divisive depending on the definition of "greatness."

Often, "greatness" is linked to economic success, higher standards of living, job creation, robust industries, and wealth generation. The phrase suggests that these economic conditions were once better and can be restored. The unfortunate thing is that often people gravitate to this mostly because of political party rhetoric and not cold hard facts or statistical data. The underlying message is that prosperity is an indicator of a society's greatness, and a return to this economic success will elevate the status of the nation or entity. It can be a response to economic downturns or the perception that economic policies have failed. The phrase promises that the right set of policies will bring back a more prosperous, secure future.

"Greatness" is also often tied to a loss of power or global influence. The MAGA-type phrase can imply a return to a position of strength. This can be represented by military, geopolitical, economic or cultural strength and is often in comparison to rivals or other nations. The implication here is that the entity or nation in question has lost its dominant position on the world stage and seeks to reassert that influence. This could include military rearmament, economic influence, or cultural leadership. The idea is that power equates to greatness.

The call to "make something great again" can also foster a mentality of exclusion, where greatness is defined by certain groups, ideologies, or characteristics that are seen as "authentic" or "true." Others who don't fit this mold may be viewed as a threat or obstacle to returning to that greatness. This creates a narrative where greatness is defined by conformity to a particular vision of the past, potentially marginalizing or excluding groups or races that are seen as "outsiders" or not part of the desired vision. This exclusionary rhetoric often plays on fears of demographic, cultural, or ideological changes.

In sum, "Make [whatever] great again" is a powerful populist slogan that appeals to a wide array of sentiments, including nostalgia, frustration with the present, and a desire for different leadership. However, the concept of "greatness" it references is often subjective and shaped by the speaker’s political, social, religious or cultural agenda. Like most populist statements that seek to take a reductive approach to solving complex societal issues.

MAGA

They tell us, again
as if time were a country road
we could walk backward
dust on our shoes
leading us toward a gilded age
where the lights burned brighter
the fields gave more
and every hand was welcome
But that age
shined brighter for some
left others in dark shadows
The “golden past”
was brass in disguise
a gleam that mocked
the blood, the silence,
the tongues pressed flat
beneath someone else’s story
Someone else’s glory 

They preach decline
say the present is broken
say the air now carries less hope
Yet the truth
voices once silenced
now rise, louder than before
Daughters
Lovers
Strangers in exile
now stand in the sun
claiming rights never granted
in those fabled years

What is greatness,
if built on forgetting
What is strength
if purchased by erasure
The world has always been complex
knotted with sorrow and promise
To carve it simple
is to sever the living thread
reduce every face 
to a mask
every struggle 
to a slogan

And still
the chant rolls on
a rallying cry
with gritted teeth beneath 
its calloused smile
It calls some home
it casts others out
It promises wholeness
but only for those
who already owned the feast

So I ask:
Should greatness be a circle
wide as the horizon
open to all?
Or a gate
guarded by memory
rusted with nostalgia
swinging shut on the future

Because if we follow
their word
their dream
their backward march
greatness will 
not 
return.
Only walls will!

Bio: Brian Sankarsingh is a poetic firebrand, a sharp, thoughtful storyteller who walks the crossroads where Caribbean folklore, social justice, and the human condition collide. He is a truth-seeker who questions political tribes, challenges lazy platitudes, and writes with a deep pulse of empathy, always pushing for nuance whether you're exploring grief, cultural identity, or the monsters that haunt cane fields and hearts alike. He blends advocacy and art seamlessly. He is part historian, part philosopher, part bard, driven by a hunger to illuminate overlooked stories and empower marginalized voices.

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