Ignorance About the Americas

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Photo credit, fair use

In The Words We Use Matter, I make a case for appropriately considering “America” as inclusive of North, Central, and South America, as my position is based on thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason). For context, one source states:

The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America. When viewed as a single continent, the Americas are the 2nd largest continent by area after Asia and the 3rd largest continent by population. […]

There are 35 sovereign states in the Americas, as well as an autonomous country of Denmark, three overseas departments of France, three overseas collectivities of France, and one uninhabited territory of France, eight overseas territories of the United Kingdom, three constituent countries of the Netherlands, three public bodies of the Netherlands, two unincorporated territories of the United States, and one uninhabited territory of the United States [U.S.].

In the aforementioned blogpost, I mocked the irrational idea of the U.S. forming all of America. We, here in the States, simply constitute the United States of America – not all of America. Thus, people from Puerto Rico are considered Americans, too. According to one source:

Puerto Rico is a political paradox: part of the United States but distinct from it, enjoying citizenship but lacking full political representation, and infused with its own brand of nationalism despite not being a sovereign state.

More than a century after being acquired by the United States from Spain, the island continues to grapple with its status as a U.S. territory and the legacy of colonialism in the Caribbean.

Whereas I was born and mostly raised in Texas, currently living in Austin, I identify as a Texan. I’m a U.S. citizen and an American. Now, consider Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known professionally as Bad Bunny, who’s a rapper and record producer born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

He’s Puerto Rican, from a U.S. territory, and is an American. Per one source, “Only fundamental rights under the American federal constitution and adjudications are applied to Puerto Ricans. Various other U.S. Supreme Court decisions have held which rights apply in Puerto Rico and which ones do not.”

Given this understanding, I maintain that the words we use matter when discussing topics related to you, me, Bad Bunny, and anyone else from or within the Americas. I say this in the interest of remedying ignorance (lack of knowledge, education, or awareness).

Rather than speaking in abstraction, allow me to present a concrete example of what I mean. Recently, conservative political commentator and television presenter Tomi Lahren spoke with political commentator and media host Krystal Ball, as the following dialogue unfolded:

Lahren: Do you think Bad Bunny’s a good choice for the Super Bowl?

Ball: I’m not that, like, knowledgeable about him, but it seems fine and I don’t know why it’s a big deal. Umm, seems like a great American artist. So, sure. Why not?

Lahren: He’s not an American artist, but—

Ball: He’s Puerto Rican. That’s part of America, dear.

Lahren: Yeah. You don’t think… you don’t have any problem with him saying, like, that ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is – well, I’m sure you don’t – are mothereffers and sons of bitches, and that he’s not gonna perform from here, due to immigration?

Ball: Umm, America agrees with him on that. The majority of Americans think ICE has gone too far. They’ve watched videos of, like, 79-year-old business owners being slammed to the ground and their ribs being broken by ICE. So, I think the American people are probably onboard with that message, at this point, Tomi.

Lahren: Okay.

While much could be said about this dialogue, two main points stand out to me. First, it appears as though Lahren had no concept of anyone other than U.S. citizens in any of the 50 states constituting what it means to be an “American.” Ball did a superb job of dispelling that notion!

This is akin to how I dispute unhelpful beliefs when practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Second, Lahren then shifted to use of an irrational non sequitur (an inference that does not follow from the premises).

For example, consider the format of a modus ponens syllogism (if p, then q; p; therefore, q) in which the major premise (if p) and minor premise (then q) result in a conclusion (therefore, q). To illustrate a non sequitur, using this form of syllogism, I submit the following example:

If Bad Bunny isn’t considered to be an American by Lahren’s standards, then people who aren’t born in any of the 50 U.S. states absolutely shouldn’t speak negatively about ICE. Bad Bunny isn’t considered to be an American by Lahren’s standards. Therefore, people who aren’t born in any of the 50 U.S. states absolutely shouldn’t speak negatively about ICE.

The second premise doesn’t reasonably follow from the first premise. Thus, when Ball effectively disputed Lahren’s unfavorable belief about Bad Bunny’s American status, Lahren shifted to an irrational non sequitur – further revealing her ignorance about the subject matter.

Personally, there’s no guilt or shame necessary when one has a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness about a topic. Likewise, I appreciate that Lahren assertively revealed her level of hubris (exaggerated pride or self-confidence). One may surmise that she has more to learn.

With hope, Lahren in deed learned an invaluable lesson from Ball. Moreover, I’m optimistic that your potential ignorance about the Americas has been remedied. If you appreciate rational thinking, as demonstrated herein, then you may also like REBT. (See how that logic follows?)

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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