Moving Backwards With Trump
D. S. Mitchell
As a Progressive liberal I have clung to the base expectation that we, as Americans were moving forward, arguably slowly, but always in a forward trajectory toward social justice. A journey toward more respect and equality between the sexes, the races, and the various religions. To a more open and honest place, where conversation about racism, sexism and every other negative-ism which have for so long separated us could be discussed. In that perfect progressive dream, people of varied colors, sexual orientation and diverse faiths came together without distrust or hate and together worked for the betterment of their community and the country.
The election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States was a gigantic step backward for the country in so many ways. From a historical perspective, there is usually no continuous imaginary “forward trajectory.” In fact, regression often comes after a period of steady social forward movement. This Trump Regression has caused many people that have never been active in politics to come out and join in a resistance movement against the hatred, bigotry and isolationism of this small, mean spirited man.
Trump attacks anybody and everybody. The man is not only a deranged narcissist, but a bigot, a racist a xenophobe , homophobe and probably two dozen other “phobics” that I don’t want to get sidetracked on,. Trump is immoral. And because of that immorality he is a danger to the morals, ethics and norms of propriety that guide our collective sense of civility. His contempt for rules and his ignorance of policy is demoralizing and embarrassing.
Trump uses Twitter to attack his former opponent Hillary Clinton, his predecessor Barack Obama, his AG Jeff Sessions, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Rosie O’Donnell, Mexicans the transgender community, pipeline protesters and multiple other groups. In fact, his attacks are nearly universal, except for Russia and Vladimir Putin. He uses Twitter to inflame and agitate, to divide and aggravate, to humiliate and degradate.
Charles Blow in the NY Times described it this way, “multiple populations are being assaulted at once, across race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual identity.” He further added, “we were unprepared for the daily reality of living in a nightmare.”
Blow finished his piece with a reprint of the famous Martin Niemoller’s poem, which is seen in many versions. Moeller was an anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor who was quite outspoken against Hitler and the Nazi movement and was imprisoned by German authorities until the end of WWII. Niemoller’s poem and the “bystander” speech by Elie Wiesel are threads of the same theme. Do not allow yourself to stand back and do nothing, do not be complicit through silence to the subjugation, persecution, and murder of your fellow man, no matter what color, race or ethnicity.
In an earlier post I talked about Wiesel and his bystander speech, so like Charles Blow, I will reprint Martin Niemoller’s famous and frightening reminder that we must always be alert to injustice and when seen, point it out and push back against its dangers.
“First they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out–because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out–because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out–because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Wow. That pretty much sums it up. Doesn’t it ? I wish I could put such simple words together for such perfect impact.I pray this period of Trump Regression will be only temporary. And hopefully, this disgusting vision from the past will be short lived and in fact will be the catalyst for a new generation of Progressivism and tolerance. Don’t allow the targeting of individuals or groups to occur on your watch. Speak up, speak out. Do not be silenced. Join the Resistance.
Calamity Politics is here to be a voice for the Progressive community. I try to present a relevant and engaging article on a near daily basis. I admit right now that I am pretty irritated with the activities in Washington, D.C. and am airing my anger and frustration through my somewhat snarky posts. But, in the current irritable political climate it is understandable. Have a great day. It is beautiful and the beach and Lily thinks it’s time for a walk.
Join the Resistance
Dar
