Lately I have been scanning a couple of articles about how we need to stop shaming Trump supporters and how we should understand Trump supporters, hug them, hold them, love them, figure out why they are so hurt and why they voted for Trump.
I couldn’t disagree more. I actually believe the tolerance of the left is one reason why we got here in the first place. I was involved in it too!
Tolerating Trump
I wasn’t that outraged that Trump was winning the Republican primaries. Who cares, they aren’t my party, and Trump is a great con man who is able to say the right thing to the right crowd to get them behind him.
When I moved back to the states, and went from a liberal California to 10 years in Europe, to Montana and Arizona. I got to see a different America. I met people who went to church twice a week, and was worried about their 2nd amendment being taken away. People who believed capitalism and no government was the answer. It was fun to be able to step back and meet different people who’s views didn’t match mine.
I even had friends who voted for Trump, and I didn’t bat an eye. I get it, there are only two parties. I didn’t do anything when the DNC pushed Senator Sanders out of their primary for Senator Clinton. I was hoping more people would be outraged. Not enough were. Fine.
I knew Trump had said things that scapegoated Muslims and immigrants. My friends had a right to vote for him though. That didn’t make them racist.
My husband assured me, Trump was not going to win. He would lose, and by a landslide.
And then Trump won.
Give Him a Chance
Yeah, I am not sure that one even lasted 48 hours before Trump hired a well-known white supremacist friend and ally Steve Bannon to be his chief strategist and senior counsel.
Then Trump’s former PAC spokesman says that Trump can register Muslims because of the precedent that Japanese interment camps set. Not that he liked that or anything. But legally President Trump could.
I am not giving him any more chances. He shows who he is. He wants white, racist men to rule the United States.
Saying No To Hate
I’m done. I’ve unfriended multiple people over the week simply because of the hate that they spewed from their Facebook posts and comments.
I’m done letting people walk over other’s human rights. For calling our youth “crybabies” for utilizing their first amendment right to free speech and protest (which Mr. Trump continues to squash on in his Twitter feed).
I’ve explained to my friends and family why a Trump Presidency scares me. They seem to shrug it off like liberal insanity.
I’m not going to family gatherings with others who think that Trump’s actions continue to represent our country. Who can’t admit that the majority of people who voted, did not vote for Trump.
I’m not going to pretend to be friends with people who think it is ok to have someone who treats people in that way in a leadership position. I’m saying no to hate.
Saying No to Inaction
Perhaps it is because I’m in Arizona, but sometimes I feel like I’m surrounded by people who don’t want to take any action. That this isn’t a big deal. Or that anything they do, won’t make a difference nationally.
I am reminded of a famous quote by a German pasture during WWII.
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.
by Pastor Martin Niemöller.
I am speaking out so loudly because I’m shocked that this is going on now. I’m shocked that Mr. Trump’s behavior is considered “normal”. That picking people with a racist background to run the white house is somewhat ok.
Tired of politics? Oh well. Somehow, a minority elected someone who threatens the rest of the people of this great nation. Which means that we have to be especially vigilant.
I’m not saying that we turn to violence. I’m not saying that we hate the people that voted for Trump. But understanding them? Feeling sorry for them? Trying to get a world where someone would vote for a racist?
I don’t care. Supporting someone like that is inexcusable. If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Please do what you can to stand up to Mr. Trump and protect this great country of ours!