Four years ago, I along with millions sat in disbelief at the realization that Donald J. Trump would become the 45th president of the United States. During the election season as he mocked a disabled reporter and instigated violence at his rallies, I maintained that if America elected Trump, we would get the president we deserved. In fact, Trump’s crass, vulgar and racist behavior is exactly the reason many voted for him. While Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by over 3 million Americans, over 60 million Americans voted for Trump—Access Hollywood tape and all.
Around this time, our former first lady famously asserted that when “they” (most often meaning Republicans) go low, “we go high”. I must admit, the mantra felt powerful, progressive and wise as Hillary Clinton was leading in the polls, and we Democrats were basking in the glow of a convention that featured the Obamas, Bidens and rising stars like the Castro brothers.
Barely into 2020 and we are in the throes of a global pandemic—hastened by the inept, callous and ignorant response of Trump. With the death toll rising and millions losing their jobs, “going high” feels like a fools errand, and I find myself vehemently agreeing with those who criticize the president in the harshest terms, using his penchant for mockery against him.
But this pandemic has also prompted me to reflect on how leaders past have responded to oppressive forces. Revolutionary movements have successfully supplanted tyrannical governments. But often liberators become the oppressors once in power. And after four years of Trump’s constant attacks on our system of government and immigrants, disregard for the environment, science, reason and human life, I’m tired. Yet, I cannot fathom a post-pandemic/post-Trump “return to normalcy” because it is within those conditions Trump became president.
With this, I believe Biden and his campaign are aware, as many are, that life as we have known it will never be the same. Earlier today, Biden acknowledged…
And in my dismay at the current state of world affairs, I remember the Montgomery Bus Boycotts which prompted the Civil Rights Movement. I remember the threats, oppression and violence inflicted on those who peacefully demanded justice, and I wonder what advice those civil rights heroes would give today. Thankfully, on the anniversary of what would have been MLK’s 90th birthday, Congressman John Lewis spoke these words (emphasis mine):
“Dr. King, we have come a distance, we have made some progress, but we still have a great distance to go before we lay down the burden of racism. There have been so many setbacks since you left. We have someone, the head of our government, who, in the finality, is a racist. He doesn’t understand the meaning of your life and the significance of the civil-rights movement. But I truly believe, somehow and some way, we will not give up, we will not give in. We will continue to do what we must to create what you called the Beloved Community. We will do what we must to redeem the soul of America.”
And with this call to redeem the soul of America, I wholeheartedly support Joe Biden and will do what I can in Texas to fight voter misinformation, disenfranchisement, disengagement and oppression to elect him the 46th President of the United States. Biden is not perfect. No one is. But he has heeded his mother’s advice…
Biden is calling on us to be different, to connect with others, to listen to others and to move forward together.
What are your “rules of the road” when it comes to political action and engaging with others? Biden wants to know, and I encourage you to lend your voice.
