Author’s Note:
I posted this blog originally on November 11th 2016 - the day after President Trump was elected. My intent was to (a) help people understand what the concerns were by the non-white-male population; and (b) most importantly, to hopefully encourage people to take additional affirmative actions to bring the country together in the wake of what I (presciently) foresaw as the beginning of a potentially divisive time.
Once my post hit social media, however, I could see it was too late; the damage had already been done. The comments I received centered around either the left trashing the right or vice versa. No one wanted to come together; no one wanted to understand the other’s point of view. As a result, I deleted the post and pulled myself off of social media.
Now, 3.5 years later, find myself being asked again why people are so angry and upset. My 31 May blog post touches upon things...but in rereading this post I realize that there are elements here that bear further scrutiny and reflection.
As we ask (again) why people are so upset and energized, I ask (again) that we reflect upon the affirmative actions we have - or have not - taken on all sides of the political aisle.
. . . . .
To all those who voted for the President-Elect:
I am not judging you.
I am not blaming you for anything, as that would be absurd.
I am not calling you names.
I will not denounce Donald Trump as not-my-president. On the 20th of January President Trump will be my president as well as yours. The process has spoken; I accept the results.
I will not unfriend you on social media or stop talking to you because of your vote. The right to vote your opinion and conscience is key to the survival of our Great Nation, and I respect that right – AND your opinion.
I am not moving to Canada. Having worn the cloth of the nation and served in her defense, I still believe in this great experiment. I feel that my service has earned me the right to live here at least as much as the next person. So no, I’m not going anywhere.
I accept that neither candidate was ideal; that you voted for an issue that was important to you; that campaigns have an effusive amount of rhetoric – on both sides; and your prayers for the President-Elect and his leadership. I have neither issue nor disagreement with any of this.
But it is not enough.
I need more from you.
I need you to “own” your vote, and all that it represents.
I stole that phrase – “own your vote” – from a friend and former colleague of mine. As Dave H. so eloquently put it, “Did [your vote] send a message? Sure did. To the "elite" and the "Washington status quo"? Yes, I suppose. But it also sent a message to a lot of women, minorities, and the economically challenged.” That message is one of fear and uncertainty re: our place in this Great Nation.
The strength of that message has emboldened certain elements in our society. Reports of anti-Muslim graffiti, swastikas, and black men being hung in effigy popped up this past Wednesday and Thursday in increasing numbers. While the President Elect’s campaign denounced the endorsement of a KKK newspaper one week before the election, the President Elect’s own language and remarks created a cacophony of concerning messages re: what would and would not be tolerated in President Trump’s “Great America.”
The concern is real, folks. While I’m not leaving for Canada, many of my non-Caucasian and LGBTQ friends are making certain their passports are up to date (“just in case”). As for me? While pro 2nd amendment, I made a personal choice when I left the service not to pick up another firearm…
…but I spent yesterday pricing shotguns out of fear for my family and my home.
Again, this isn’t a matter of guilt or blame…not even a little. But understand that I’m also not being paranoid and hyperbolic in my reaction. Understand that part of “owning your vote” is owning that part of the message as well at the results.
It also means doing something about it.
See, the reason that many are reacting so offensively and isolating y’all from their lives is because your vote constitutes an affirmative action whose consequence (among other things) has been to reaffirm a very scary message. You’re more than your vote, I get that, but let me ask you: what affirmative actions have you taken in, oh, say the last year to show your solidarity with the downtrodden, with minorities, with women, with the LGBTQ community? NOT passive acceptance but a positive, definitive, affirmative step to make things better?
For some of you, answering this question is easy; indeed, it’ll be easy for many of you whom I count as friend. Still, there are many (dare I say, a majority) who read this that will struggle with this question. If you’re having a hard time thinking of that answer, don’t sweat it. Again, there’s no blame here…but I want you to understand that the concerns raised by those of us who did not vote with you are not simply exaggeration or paranoia.
You are more than your vote, absolutely. But if your vote is the only affirmative message you’ve sent on these issues, are you truly being misjudged and misunderstood?
I will be the first person to admit that the pendulum re: political correctness had swung way too far…but I also remember a time when people, left unfettered and unchecked in this Great Society, were openly discriminatory and abusive to their fellow man. In swinging the pendulum back toward center, will we go too far in the opposite direction?
It would be nice to believe the collective assurances of “of course not” that I hear when I ask this question. But history is not on your side. Worse, as the President Elect has no record of public service I cannot look toward his past for any indication of the future. For now, I can only believe his words…
…and his words concern me.
Now is the time for affirmative action, folks. To take proactive, definitive measures to ensure that this new Great America has a place for all. Let your leaders know that your version of a Great America is no place for hate or derision. When those who would speak of hate shout from the heavens, join with me, shoulder-to-shoulder, to drown them out and let the hate-mongers know that they are not welcome. Be the first in line to erase the racist graffiti, to extend a hand to those different from you (WITHOUT hesitation or qualification). Let your leaders know that immigrants are not criminals by definition, that more than “some” of them are good people.
You took an affirmative action for very personal reasons that made (and still make) sense. I respect that and respect YOU. I know that you are more than just your vote, but the sum of your actions.
So…take action. Own your vote in its totality…and take action to ensure that only the positive, constructive points of your action are brought to reality.
My two cents…
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