Ridding the country of illegal immigrants was the rallying cry, the clarion call, which has morphed into deploying the National Guard and the U.S. military into major cities to reduce crime.
But the real purpose and purge go deeper.
My great uncle Arthur, who lived to be 106, would often say, “Niece, niece, you have to watch those who look you dead in the eyes and make grand promises, as they are pulling the rug from under your feet.”
Is that what is happening across America — from the White House and Capitol Hill to state capitals?
There are coordinating and coalescing efforts to remove the democratic principles on which we have stood while falsely claiming to be making things better.
Make things better for whom?
Systemic and defining legislative efforts are taking place in Washington and across the states to diminish, marginalize and undo the rights, privileges of the majority of American citizens — namely, women and Blacks.
While Latinos make up the largest and fastest growing group in the country, women and Blacks have long been, and still are, the most powerful when it comes to the potential of voting in a bloc to bring about meaningful change.
History shows that women and Blacks voting in blocs was pivotal to getting voting rights, and equal treatment, and what has been achieved when it comes to equal employment, educational opportunities and access to other aspects of life that have always been afforded automatically to white males.
But the White House, Congress, and state legislatures are working overtime to pass laws, policies and practices — to revert, turn the clock back — that will disenfranchise women and Blacks in particular.
It started with the flurry of executive orders to get rid of DEI programs in every sector of American life — educational institutions, government departments and agencies, even private sector businesses either done by edict, monetary punishment or other looming threats.
Who are the primary targets of dismantling DEI? Women and Blacks.
Targeting women, Blacks and other minorities who historically have voted for Democrats more than Republicans is the focus of redistricting efforts taking place in states to ensure that the current political power — doing all the disenfranchisement to reshape America — remains in place.
Then there is the perennial collateral victim — the working poor, which includes Blacks, whites and other minorities. While many elected officials make hopeful promises to improve their conditions, they are implementing measures to do just the opposite: keep wages stagnant while inflation increases, deny or cut access to health care by cutting and defunding needed health care services.
What if women and Blacks — and some components of the working poor — decided to come together to stand and fight for their rights and well-being?
Women and Blacks, together, could make up the largest voting bloc.
Just imagine what could be accomplished if they came together in communities, cities and states across America?
Vote as a bloc against elected officials who are not working for policies and laws to meet their needs.
Vote as a bloc against ballot initiatives that could negatively impact or change the quality of their lives, their families, their communities, future generations.
There are political groups, active and caring citizens that have a wealth of political will and experience on how to build and mobilize coalitions that can determine if a candidate is elected or a ballot measure is defeated.
Women and Blacks coming together would make a powerful coalition, along with other like-minded and caring citizens.
Mobilizing such coalitions is a dire need to counter and stop the negative political actions taking place.
Not just for the immediate future. But for generations to come, to show them how democracy is not given, not automatic.
Preserving it requires engagement, participation, vigilance and coming together when necessary to protect and fight for our common interests.
Janice Ellis is a political columnist for the Missouri Independent.