--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s not that Jackson had a “dark side,”…" description: "\"“It’s not that Jackson had a “dark side,” as his apologists rationalize and which all human beings have, but rather that Jackson was the Dark Knight in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz-24305_dark-side_it-s-not-that-jackson-had-a-dark-side-as_2649175.jpg" --- # It’s not that Jackson had a “dark side,” as his apologists… ![“It’s not that Jackson had a “dark side,” as his apologists rationalize and which all human beings have, but rather that Jackson was the Dark Knight in the formation of the United States as a colonialist, imperialist democracy, a dynamic formation that continues to constitute the core of US…” quote by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz-24305_dark-side_it-s-not-that-jackson-had-a-dark-side-as_2649175.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz-24305_dark-side_it-s-not-that-jackson-had-a-dark-side-as_2649175.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz-24305_dark-side_it-s-not-that-jackson-had-a-dark-side-as_2649175.jpg) > ““It’s not that Jackson had a “dark side,” as his apologists rationalize and which all human beings have, but rather that Jackson was the Dark Knight in the formation of the United States as a colonialist, imperialist democracy, a dynamic formation that continues to constitute the core of US patriotism. The most revered presidents—Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Wilson, both Roosevelts, Truman, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, Obama—have each advanced populist imperialism while gradually increasing inclusion of other groups beyond the core of descendants of old settlers into the ruling mythology. All the presidents after Jackson march in his footsteps. Consciously or not, they refer back to him on what is acceptable, how to reconcile democracy and genocide and characterize it as freedom for the people.”” [Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Jackson’s legacy is framed as a prototype of populist imperialism shaping US patriotism, linking historic presidents to ongoing democratic‑genocidal contradictions. **In simple terms:** Jackson exemplifies a pattern of imperialist populism in US history. Key Takeaway Recognize how historical narratives justify exclusionary policies. Themes history politics imperialism Mood critical thought‑provoking Type analytical historical When to use this quote - academic courses - policy debates - public lectures - media analysis Key Concepts populism national myth colonialism democratic paradox Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of US patriotism are rooted in imperialism? - How do modern leaders echo Jackson’s legacy? A Different Perspective Complexity of historical interpretation can oversimplify diverse perspectives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dark side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-side/) ## Related quotes > [“Tequila, anyone?” he asked our group, but his eyes were on me. “Hell, yeah, K, break it out,” Blake said. 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'Dark Knight'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideo-kojima/there-s-a-lot-of-batman-movies-this-element-that-is-batman-that/) [Hideo Kojima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hideo-kojima/) ## More by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz > [The history of the United States is a history of settler colonialism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz/the-history-of-the-united-states-is-a-history-of-settler-colonialism/) [Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz/) > [The objective of US authorities was to terminate their existence as peoples - not as random individuals. 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The most revered presidents—Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Wilson, both Roosevelts, Truman, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, Obama—have each advanced populist imperialism while gradually increasing inclusion of other groups beyond the core of descendants of old settlers into the ruling mythology. All the presidents after Jackson march in his footsteps. 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