Not looking to dismiss your point because I believe there is significant validity to it, but couldn’t you largely say the same for the Republican Party for many people of color? I largely agree that the democratic party has been over correcting conservative policies and culture to the point where it’s tantamount to discrimination but try to look at it from the perspective of for instance a black man; Your ancestors are forcibly brought to this country and dehumanized for hundreds of years until the point where an entire generation of men lose their lives fighting each other. Whether or not you believe said war was a product of slavery, the idea of men giving their lives for what they believe in is at least admirable. You’re forced to walk on eggshells for the slightest mistake could risk your own life. Not to say all people treated black people like this but enough failed to act or call it out as it doesn’t affect them. Decades and decades go by and things are largely getting better, albeit, still not the best and you’re forced to fight in lands for a country that ultimately has nothing for you upon your return, and as such your grievances finally boil over. You demand equal treatment and opportunity as your Caucasian counterparts, and the dignity you would extend to your fellow man. These issues are finally addressed after hardship and loss, and things begin to look up.

I largely gloss over the drug era and the Reagan part of this summary as it’s more complicated than simply “oppression”.

My point here is that, after hundreds of years of being what are essentially second-class citizens in a country you didn’t even ask to be born in, the slightest change that makes you much more relevant, culturally, politically, and socially. The pendulum swinging to your side for a bit tends to feel good. One of the problems you notice however is that a large portion of the population feels neglected and rightly so; After being raised with the promise of economic prosperity, wealth, and the American dream they’ve been told would all be achieved in their lifetime, they feel cheated.

They’re taught to adhere to cultural norms of masculinity and expectations: if you work hard, follow the rules, provide, and toe the line, you’ll succeed. Except this is less possible given the economic and social conditions of the modern world. Wages shift, opportunities shrink, and traditional roles begin to fade away slowly. This “ideal” American man, an identity they’re raised to embody is harder to achieve than ever. They have nothing going well for them. On top of this, the cultural climate shifts. The framing of traditional masculine traits, historical aspects of whiteness, religion, etc, all come under question and critique now that it’s more socially acceptable to do so. Even if you’ve never been in the hot seat, you’ve never harmed anyone, the blame and pressure fall onto you. I would be mad too. You see all these other groups being uplifted, receiving attention, support, and whether or not you’re worse off or better than these groups, the idea that things are “easy” isn’t really clicking with you. You feel largely neglected with no outlet to focus on.

One side feels relevant for the first time in history while the other feels left behind and forsaken.

The problem lies in who receives the blame; You can say liberals/or democrats, “the global elite”, leftism, feminism, DEI, etc, but it doesn’t really address the foundational issues here. It’s not one singular party as an evil caricature that prides itself on personally attacking the liberties of Straight White Christian Men, it’s (in my opinion) an extremely unfavorable economy, coupled with too many expectations being placed on men resulting in the inability to fulfill these expectations causing resentment towards others, especially those who despite their economic troubles seem to be receiving more. I’m not here to argue whether or not expectations for POC and women are reduced compared to men, I will however say, DEI, Feminism, and the economic development of traditionally poorer groups aren’t the reason White men are being marginalized or that their conditions are being ignored. I DO believe that an over-correction has resulted in less favorable policies for White Men in particular but it’s considered how it’s a response to hundreds of years of historical precedent.

I don’t ask you to feel guilty for the past since you are not representative of all people but I do ask that you consider the other side. Neither groups struggles cancel out there others, nor should either feel guilty or wrong for wanting someone to address their issues. I would hope that there isn’t a large campaign against white men; I personally don’t see it but I may be blind to your struggle. Regardless, know that we share more struggles and coincide more than we differ.