THE epic 1932 movie Gone with the Wind depicts the fall of the slavery-based Confederate States of America under the weight of its hegemonic structure and the push from the Civil War against the northern states. The latter were anti-slavery but their hands were stained with blood from the genocide of natives.

The political beliefs underpinning this legacy of genocide and slavery have continued to compete with the rhetoric of enlightenment, human rights and democracy underpinning the US Declaration of Independence and founding constitution over the centuries. The US made important contributions to global peace and prosperity through scientific advancement, global aid and the creation of multilateral institutions especially in the decades following World War II. But even then its uglier face reflecting the legacy of slavery and genocide kept appearing as seen in the nuclear bombing of Japanese cities, the Vietnam war, imperialism, support for dictators abroad and domestic racism.

Over time, and especially from the Reagan era onwards, the negatives started outpacing the positives drastically. In the last three years alone, Washington has supported and protected Israeli genocide in Gaza, abducted the Venezuelan president........

© Dawn