Recently, a kinesiology professor at the University of Rhode Island named Kyle Kusz published a book entitled Making American White Men Great Again. In his book, he stated that Tom Brady, the quarterback of the pro football New England Patriots, became popular due to the rise of “white rage and white supremacy.” So the question emerges, “What in the world is he talking about?”
For some reason, the idea of using the term white supremacy has emerged in American society as a popular theme among certain groups in order to put down people they don’t like. There are non-whites that have latched onto this idea, but many of its proponents are actually, themselves, white. In fact, Kusz is white.
The idea is, of course, a product of the identity politics movement that has become popular in recent times. This is the belief that people of a particular religion, race, social background, etc., should form exclusive political alliances among particular groups, rather than looking at all people as simply “people.” It bashes its enemies based on these various points of outward identity rather than on ideological beliefs (though the movement is, itself, based on a particular set of ideological beliefs).
The primary impetus behind this movement lies in the progressive left, whose beliefs and values emerge from the beliefs of Naturalism. In some ways, this seems rather out of place for people who adhere to naturalistic beliefs, because they also believe that all of humanity evolved from lower life forms, and that all have equal value.
However, when you move out of the realm of biology and into the arena of morality and values, Naturalists tend to move away from the concept of unity and oneness, and into the sphere of power politics. For them, since human beings don’t actually agree when it comes to beliefs about morality, Darwin’s concept of “the law of the jungle” must take over – the powerful get to set the moral rules. Kusz is a Naturalist who wants to become powerful enough to overtake those he sees as more powerful than himself – people like Tom Brady and those who admire him.
To do that, he needs to discredit Brady, along with all his admirers; and he does it by accusing them of being white supremacists. Kusz believes that white people don’t like and admire Brady because he has won six Super Bowls, three league MVP awards, has been selected three times as an All-Pro, and as a participant in 14 Pro Bowls. No, it is because he is a rich, successful, white man that other white people can point to as superior to non-white athletes. Of course, Kusz’s assertion is preposterous, as is the entire “white supremacy” movement.
This is not to say that there are no people who do cheer on Brady because of his race. I have no doubt that people like that can be found. But that is not the thinking of the overwhelming number of Americans. While one can point to instances of racism, even severe racism, in American history, our entire system was set up in a way that provided a means for eliminating it. Our system was formed based on the biblical idea that “all men are created equal, and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.” That foundational idea is premised on the belief that all human beings are equal before God, along with the notion that every person is of equal value and should be given an equal opportunity to aspire and achieve to their highest ability.
Kusz’s beliefs are actually abhorrent – as are the beliefs of anyone who accepts his premise. While he accuses other people of racism, he is actually the one who is promoting racist ideas. A biblical worldview actually does see all people as worthy – regardless of skin color. It is only in relationship with God through Jesus Christ that the moral value of true equality can rise to the top.