Campus Review decided to put Cuomo’s statement that American has never really been great to constituents in NYC’s Washington Square Park.
Watch:
Here’s more:
When asked if there was ever a time in America’s history when we were great, the majority of the people I spoke with made it clear: they were siding with Governor Cuomo.
“I don’t believe America has been great for all folks, ever. Even today,” said one respondent, while another added simply, “I would have to agree with Governor Cuomo.”
One person elaborated on their reasoning for saying America was never great, saying, “The idea that there was this once great America is pointing towards this false sense of nationalism…What, it’s talking about white America? Yeah, it’s not great.”
Another respondent cited similar points, declaring that “America has been great…for straight white men.”
Wondering if this thought process stemmed from what was being taught in the classroom, I followed up by asking if they’d ever been taught American Exceptionalism in school.
Just one person said it was a concept they’d been taught in class.
“I’ve never heard of it before,” conceded one, while another explained that “I personally wasn’t taught American Exceptionalism because I went to a very forward thinking liberal school…”
It doesn’t surprise me that many of these New Yorkers have a warped view of America, especially given what Cuomo said. He did get cheers in that room from most people when he said America had never been great.
I think the most painful part of the video for me, however, is that many are not being taught about American Exceptionalism. One guy said he’d never even heard the term!
Ah well. At least he didn’t try and play smart and give Obama’s crappy answer from when he was asked about it.