One of my favorite books of all time is “Animal Farm.” I read it over 20 years ago in high school, and I credit that book with my eventual appetite for politics, history and vegetarian cuisine. In my opinion, one of the best sentences in that book is (in rephrased form), “We are all equal. But some of us are more equal than others.”
Sadly, that theme alone is enough to make me suggest the book should now be classified as non-fiction. It certainly seems true that many feel entitled to maintain a comfortable lifestyle at any cost — human decency, compassion, and the dignity of others be damned. A growing number of people seem to believe they are more equal.
Last week the world woke up to the news Britain voted to leave the European Union. It was the first time in recent history a vote of such magnitude didn’t hinge on Florida. The hashtag #Brexit filled my newsfeed. Admittedly, I knew very little about the vote until after it happened. I initially figured Brexit was Utah’s newest, most popular baby name or something. But as I learned more about the vote, and the parallels it holds to our own upcoming elections, I couldn’t help but think of “Animal Farm,” and how too many people assume revolting in the name of supremacy is justified.
By most accounts, Brits that voted to leave the EU are anti-immigration. The reasons cited by those who voted to leave are largely centered around the ideas of exceptionalism, national pride, and the belief that, “I was born here, you weren’t” somehow entitles them to a better, happier life. Never mind the poverty, danger and misery others are usually trying to escape in hopes of also having a happy life — one that simply isn’t realistic in their home country.
One of the biggest arguments for both Brexit and Donald Trump is that people feel like they’re losing their county. It makes them angry, sad, and anxious. The irony that many immigrants feel the exact same way is lost on these people. Few leave their country because it’s awesome and living there is delightful. They too have lost their homeland, only they lost it in an effort to stay alive, not a misguided notion that differences are a threat.
It’s hard to ignore the easy comparisons between Britain’s vote and the upcoming presidential elections in the U.S. The ballots don’t even need a name; they might as well say:
Are you a xenophobe?
__Yes
__No
The two countries once known for reason, compassion, and acceptance have suddenly become famous for irrational bigotry. It’s as if anyone who practices a different religion, speaks a different language, or looks or thinks differently than we do, is an automatic enemy. We’ve bought into the idea that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so long as it’s identical to ours.
Instead of appreciating our differences and opening our minds, a growing number are embracing an “I got mine, screw everyone else” message. Intolerance is now en vogue. The most obvious question to me is, why is anyone willing to crash the planet’s strongest economies over skin tone? By the end of this, my 401K is probably going to be $37 and a coupon for one extra free topping from Domino’s.
I’m not suggesting limitless open borders are either a good idea or realistic. But the next logical step is not hating all foreigners, building walls, disavowing a continent and banning immigrants of a certain faith. Surely there’s rational middle ground — Switzerland for our hearts. We need to find it, quick. If we don’t, the world’s two most powerful democracies will be run by politicians who couldn’t make it to the end of a Willy Wonka factory tour.
Perhaps it’s just coincidence, but the main characters in “Animal Farm” who believe they are more equal and are only concerned about themselves are, in fact, pigs.
Amy Roberts is a freelance writer, longtime Park City resident, and the proud owner of two rescued Dalmatians, Stanley and Willis. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer. Follow her on Twitter @amycroberts.