Jason  Caminiti
Williams / 4:05
Social    Issue
12  / 04  /  95

Narcissism is alive and thriving in the United States of America today. Narcissism is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary(OED) as: Self-love and admiration that find emotional satisfaction in self-contemplation. In psychology Narciss is the name of a beautiful boy who fell in love with his reflection in a fountain. The word originates from a flower called Narcissus which is a flower known for it's narcotic effects.

That a known narcissist and racist in this day and age can be elected to a seat in any part of government is pathetic. On February 22nd, 1989 David Duke was sworn into office as a Louisanna Legislator. David Duke is a known former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, an active white supremicist group in many southern states. This group is infamous for wearing white gowns, white pointy hats, and burning crosses on the lawns of innocent members of minority groups. They do not stop at cross burning, however, they have done everything from protest marches to lynching. Many people call these people racists, which they are. There is no doubt that this group fits the definition of a racist. According to the Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary (Tenth Edition), a racist is: one who holds the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. The members of the Ku Klux Klan believe that white people are inherently superior to any other race, simply based on their race.

The primary element in the Ku Klux Klan's motives is narcissism. Not in the actual definition, more in the connotative definition. The actual definition is more one of vanity and self intrigue. The connotative definition is more that one looks for likenesses to oneself in others. One is so consumed with themself, and others like them, that they look for those likenesses in the people they associate with. The David Duke and Ku Klux Klan examples are extreme expamples. However, this is something that is going on in America today.

People for some reason find comfort in themselves, and cannot accept differences amoung other people. In everything from simple communication between two people, to the relations between entire races you can see narcissism on both sides. Until we get over ourselves and looking for ourselves in others, we cannot live in peace and harmony and accept others as individuals. We cannot live and let live.

This essay is Copyright (C) 1996 Jason Caminiti.

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