Letter: What is ‘American exceptionalism’?

When Donald Trump was elected in 2016 there was political discussion of American exceptionalism. It is a concept clarified by Wikipedia in three parts:

1. The history of the United States is inherently different from that of other nations.
2. The U.S. has a unique mission to transform the world. 
3. The United States’ history and mission give it a superiority over other nations.

The president adopted this belief in his motto “Make America Great Again.” Unfortunately, events over the past 3¹⁄₂ years have given a more odious reality to the notion of American exceptionalism. 

Societal racism is a clear expression of white exceptionalism. People who refuse to adhere to efforts to control COVID-19, believing it is an infringement of their freedoms, is an example of American exceptionalism.

Louis Borgenicht

Salt Lake City