Message to the Masses
Here we are-one week after the 2016 election, which made Donald Trump the next President of the U.S. Many emotions were felt by those who voted (and by those who didn’t) and the emotions depend on who you voted for. Many who voted for Hilary are deeply disappointed, sad, anxious, and afraid. Those who voted for Trump are mostly jubilant, excited, smug, proud, and optimistic. My message is to both groups of people.
To Hilary voters: Feelings are fine, but don’t get stuck in your feelings. I too know what a growing dread and shock it was to watch the results into the early hours of Wednesday morning. Or to wake up to the results, and want to retreat back under the covers, and not want to come out for a while-if ever! But we cannot stop in our tracks like we are engaged in the mannequin game! We must push forward! Build coalitions, be the best us we can be, and build our families and communities. We have been blessed to be awake and aware of the truth of the system-Michael Jackson said it-they don’t really care about us. MJ was not just referring to people of color, and neither am I. He was talking about the undeserved, the poor, those who are not part of the political establishment, etc. So what’s new? And what are we going to do about it? We are a strong people. We have never given up, and we can’t give up now! We stand strong, and we push forward! We must hold our leaders accountable. We hold ourselves accountable first. We make plans for our families. Save: Money, Time, Yourself! We move towards self empowerment, business ownership, and support of businesses that show us compassion and empathy. Unity is tantamount. Rhetoric should be minimal; exchange words for action.
To Trump Supporters:
Mind your business, and your manners. I’m glad that you’re happy. I’m glad that you feel somehow vindicated-that ‘We got the White House Back’. Unless you’re talking about the Republican party got the White House ‘back’-watch your mouth. If you mean back from a Black Man-watch your mouth. There is an undercurrent of racist rhetoric behind that statement. And maybe you can say that under the covers of your hooded garment, but please, please, please: don’t start talking reckless to people of color out in these streets! Keep your demagoguery to yourself and in the privacy of your home and with those who have the same racist beliefs. Respect folk. If I don’t know you-please do not think that it is appropriate to strike up a conversation with me in the grocery store about politics. I don’t know you like that…take care of your business, smile (or not), and keep it moving. We all have to live in this world. Don’t delude yourself that you own the world. In the words of President-elect Trump-“Wrong!!!”
If you voted for Trump for other reasons; that he impressed you with his willingness to say whatever racist, misogynist, inappropriate and disrespectful thing that he wanted to say to human beings-that’s your business. No need to apologize-you voted in what you felt were your best interests. YOU cast your vote for this individual. Doesn’t mean I don’t like you. Doesn’t mean I hate you. Just means that you have to search your own soul to see if it’s OK for you to line up under someone who is either a straight up ugly human being, or one who wanted power/money so badly that he was willing to throw anyone under the bus to get it. That’s between you and your god who you serve. Teach your children, family and friends that hate is bad. That racism, bigotry, misogyny and bullying is not cool. Teach them that respect of their fellow man is not optional. This is YOUR job! Speak out against those white supremacists who are pulling off Muslim women’s’ hijab’s, painting swastikas on walls, bullying non-whites, and telling Black people to ‘Go back to Africa; no non-whites allowed’, and Latino’s that a wall is coming, and that their parents are going to be deported. This is YOUR job! To bring this country together will mostly take White people to stand against the sin of hate, and make it unpopular to be racist . But can this be done? When the administration is being filled with white supremacists, hatemongers, and those whose past words and actions have shown them to be anti-anything not white. You have to live with your decision. I’m guessing you’re proud of yourself. You voted for someone who sent out a dog-whistle to so-called white nationalists, and is now trying to call it back, as Trump did on 60 Minutes this past weekend. Too late!!! He let then dogs out, and is now trying to distance himself from them. You know it’s bad when Glenn Beck declares the so-called alt-right to be DANGEROUS!!!
As we prepare ourselves for what’s ahead for this country, we hope for the best. The seeds have been planted. I am not surprised at the rhetoric..I am not surprised at the racist actions being televised-this is nothing new. What I will be surprised at will be when White people stand up against wrong. When they show and prove that yes-America is better than this!!! Until then, I’ll wait…