What "he" said isn't brand new. This has been said for decades.
I agree with it.
People cling onto things that they know to be true and consistent. This applies to religion and guns for many, evidenced when you actually let people put their guards down and talk and listen to them. They also look for answers to their problems or someone to blame for their position, particularly when they see a group of people who isn't "like them." And they find people or things to attribute moral decline, crime, a loss of jobs/competition for the good jobs because of cheap labor to.
This is the age-old explanation for the -isms and inequality in this country. It isn't about bigotry just for the sake of bigotry. It's about economic competition and a perceived need to externalize struggles and find ways to position yourself against others. For instance, if you're economically downtrodden you will find other definitions of success, power, and prestige. This may lead you to place more emphasis on religion, guns, anti-immigration stances, anti-women's rights stances, anti-minority stances, or whatever position you feel answers your need to create an "other" at the time.
Nothing new...but perhaps it would've been best received if it had not targeted a group that is not used to being targeted.
