The New WMU; The Same Old SNAFU
Groucho Marx famously said, “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” When it comes to Grimes County’s White Man’s Union Association (“WMUA”), I would say truer words were never spoken.
The WMUA was a group that was formed here and in other areas of our region shortly after the civil war to ensure white control in County elections. Essentially, this club existed to nullify the black vote. After controlling County elections for decades, the WMUA disbanded in the late 1950s under threat of lawsuits in a changing world where civil rights were (finally) being enforced. Seeing the writing on the wall, that such racially motivated efforts to control elections and, thus, all decision-making could result in problems for the group’s leadership, no member was willing to step into leadership roles. It has taken sixty-five years, but the pendulum has swung and we can see power shifting back to the 1950s mentalities. I would credit the election of President Obama as the catalyst in this new push. Since his election, there is no longer any attempt to conceal the plan to restore whites to power. When a U.S. President refers to white supremacists as “very good people” without fear of any repercussions, you know the WMUA has been “built back better” and cast out across the country.
The Texas legislature is predominantly white males. In 2021, it was 61% white and 73% male. The state itself is 41% white and 50% male. And what we are seeing coming out of state legislatures across the country is astounding.
Elected officials consider rewriting history by banning or restricting teaching America’s history regarding racism, apparently under the belief that it wasn’t all that bad. Add to that the “don’t say gay” efforts to delegitimize and disarm the LGBTQ community, and a strong push to reinstitute segregation in schools. But they do not call it “segregation.” “School vouchers” sounds so much nicer. The vouchers will ensure that those who have (and control) the money can put their kids into a more segregated educational environment, leaving underfunded public schools to deal with the rest.
Restricting a woman’s right to healthcare is also top on the agenda of the male-dominated power. Many are taking these actions with the belief that God is with them on their quest to control and dictate how all of us live our lives. Separation of church and state is quickly being dismantled, along with religious freedom. We are talking about God’s will, not Allah’s or any other deity. With the powers that be, it is Yahweh or the highway.
Concern about our border security is also a high priority. But only the southern border. Our leaders have asserted that the Mexican border is admitting the undesirables. Not the Canadian border, which admits a lot of people who look like good candidates for WMUA membership.
The power shift is complete when all branches of government are under control by this like-minded group. The Executive branch has been breached. Gaining control of the Legislative branch is underway and control of Judicial at the highest levels has been achieved. This is all part of a long game that is finally paying off for the new WMUA.
Restoring the “good ole days” of the 1950s nullifies the many dark years of Americans struggling to achieve racial and gender equality. It reinforces the belief that “if you aren’t white, you aren’t right.”
Like it or not, I am part of their association by virtue of my skin color and the gender that was assigned to me at birth. We voted to put this new system in place. And we can undo it - or maybe not. We have seen that losing elections is no barrier for the new WMUA. They now simply contest any election loss as illegitimate and can have their own handpicked Supremes appoint a winner if need be.
Of course, this is all just my opinion. If you disagree with me, join the club.
The column represents the thoughts and opinions of Johnny McNally. Opinion columns are NOT the opinion of the Navasota Examiner. Johnny McNally is Grimes County’s Best Dressed Businessman advocating for Grimes County and writes a bi-weekly column for the Navasota Examiner.
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