‘Social Darwinism’ in Texas
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To the editor:
In the 2016 Republican primaries candidate Trump often gave his opponents disparaging nicknames, like “lying” Ted for Senator Ted Cruz who would win the Iowa caucus.
The Senator’s ill timed trip to Cancun February, 17, has earned him another nickname “flying” Ted which may have a more lasting impact [the fact that politicians lie not exactly newsworthy].
In defense of Cruz, he was not the only Texas politician demonstrating a lack of compassion or empathy for the suffering of his fellow Texans. That top honor should go to the former Colorado City mayor Tim Boyd and his response to people calling his office because they were without power or water. Boyd said, “No one owes you [or] your family anything nor is it the local government’s responsibility to support you during trying times like this.” He further stated, “Bottom line quit crying and looking for a handout! Get off your *— and take care of your own family!”
In a view that was the classic 19th century philosophy known as ”Social Darwinism,” Boyd stated “only the strong will survive and the weak will [perish],” during a deadly and record breaking winter storm.
It should be said that while Senator Cruz was dealing with the fall out, from the Cancun trip, his fellow Senator John Cornyn’s Twitter feed is full of helpful news and resources for Texas.”
But even more was done by Cruz’s Democratic opponent in the 2018 Senate race, Beto O’Rourke, who ran a phone bank to contact senior citizens in Texas to connect them with resources during the disaster. Even more direct help was given by a Democratic Congresswoman from New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a frequent target of conservative and right wing politicians. AOC raised $2 million for Texas relief.
”Social Darwinism, which emerged in the 1870’s applied biological concepts of natural selection and the survival of the fittest to sociology, economics, and politics. Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was “used to justify political conservatism, imperialism, and racism. . . .”
In the unprecedented disaster in Texas, compassion and caring are still a part of the American character not “survival of the fittest.”
Mary Kathryn
Gepner
Benton