In an article written by George Saunders, he divides America either into the United States of Tom or the United States of Huck. Tom representing a selfish, privileged, materialistic America and Huck is the one that represents equality. To other countries we are seen as superior, but on the inside are we really? In a society where Donald Trump is one of the leading candidates for president, you have to wonder where our morals lie.
In my opinion, we live in a mixture between The United States of Huck and Tom. While the majority of the country is focused on things like wealth, fame and materialistic things, there are still lots of people who have the kindheartedness of Tom and his loyalty to those loyal to him.
People like Donald Trump, who believes in white superiority, has an extreme sense of entitlement, is aiming towards the ultimate division of all races, and the standard of the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor are the Tom-like mentality that lives here in the United States. The corrupt police officers that don't value black lives as much as they should, and get away with murder represent it as well.
But there are lots of people that represent the Huck-like mentality. Barack Obama, the peaceful police protesters, people who stand for equality and against mistreatment of anyone, feminists. All of these people cancel out all of the corruptness in the world and give us all a sense of hope.
I agree that the United States is a mix between Huck and Tom. It is hard to generalize the nation as one character, when there is always going to be a counter -opposite. I like how you use President Obama and feminists as representations of Huck, and agree that Donald Trump is the epitome of Tom.
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