JD Vance has a new idea of who gets to be American

New York Times opinion columnist David French has criticised an idea he says is gaining support among parts of the US right that gives greater status to Americans based on their ancestry.

Writing in an opinion column, French said the concept of a “Heritage American” was linked to debates over birthright citizenship and to what he described as a growing effort to shape the future of the American right around Vice President JD Vance.

According to French, proponents of the idea classify Americans according to how far back their families’ roots in the US go, with those descended from early colonial settlers receiving the highest status.

French cited remarks by Vance, who said people whose ancestors fought in the Civil War had “a hell of a lot more claim over America” than people who say they do not belong.

French argued that the concept was based on “inherited virtue” and could turn into “inherited entitlement”, giving people special consideration because of their ancestry.

He also criticised conservatives who oppose the diversity of students admitted to the University of Texas despite its merit-based admissions system, arguing that some on the right were concerned about the growing number of Asian students, particularly from India and Pakistan.

French said the idea should instead encourage Americans to learn from their history, including both achievements and failures.

He argued that a knowledge of family and national history should produce gratitude, humility and a sense of responsibility rather than entitlement and a desire for power.

“Our history matters. Our heritage matters,” French wrote. “But they should call us to service and virtue, not to power and pride.”

French concluded by citing former President Abraham Lincoln's call for Americans to be united by the “better angels of our nature”.

By Aghakazim Guliyev