Straight White American Jesus

Introducing American Unexceptionalism

6 snips
Oct 13, 2025
Exploring global challenges, hosts delve into how to protect democracy against rising religious nationalism. They highlight lessons from Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Muslims in Turkey, and Christians in South Korea. The discussion emphasizes the dangers of American exceptionalism, revealing that U.S. Christian nationalism is part of a worldwide trend. With insights from scholars and activists, they aim to uncover practical strategies to combat these movements. Hope, change, and community resilience take center stage as they share invaluable perspectives.
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INSIGHT

Humility Over Exceptionalism

  • The hosts reject American exceptionalism as a barrier to learning from global resistance movements.
  • Embracing humility lets the U.S. borrow tactics used elsewhere to defend democracy.
ANECDOTE

Monk's Comfort: Nothing Is Forever

  • Susie recalls a Buddhist monk comforting her: "nothing is forever" during a moment of despair.
  • That reminder reframed the struggle as changeable and motivated continued engagement.
ADVICE

Act Quickly To Reverse Authoritarianism

  • Move now because authoritarian takeovers are reversible but grow harder to reverse over time.
  • Step into the change process and direct it toward good outcomes rather than despair.
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