I was among the half of the U.S. population who watched in utter shock and dismay when it became apparent that Donald Trump would be our next president. But this is something that happens every four years. And now it was the Democrats’ turn. Politics as usual. Right?
Wrong. This is not politics as usual. This is a revolution of a sort that hasn’t happened in this country, perhaps since Andrew Jackson, as one Republican bragged. What it means is that half of this country was at a breaking point. It means that half of this country, mainly whites, felt so oppressed by a huge and steady wave of liberalism which only a man like Donald Trump could save them.
In the last eight years (from the conservative perspective), they saw marriage redefined in a way that defies God’s natural order of things. They saw the country take a dangerous step toward socialism in Obamacare (ACA). They saw executive orders to make it easier for illegals to work in the U.S. and for trans folks to threaten the bathroom privacy of women and children. They were called homophobic and bigoted because they believe homosexuality is a sin. They were called uneducated for not all getting college degrees. They continued to be dismayed that prayer was unwelcome at school. They counted many thousands of babies murdered in the womb. They were called racist because they were tired of the illegal immigration of millions of people into the U.S and because they were tired of cops being prevented from doing their jobs. And they were called Islamophobic for wanting to keep terrorists from entering the U.S. And lastly, tired of being told what words they can and cannot speak in public.
It would be so easy to be dismissive of these concerns. I don’t share that perspective, but it is not small enough to dismiss and not a simple and two-sided enough to count myself as righteous over. I am not willing to paint all Trump supporters with the brush of racist, bigoted misogynists. This is half of our country who are desperate for change. Although many of my conservative friends love Trump, many were very reluctant to vote for him, but they wanted change badly enough to do it. Friends, I’m here to tell you that half of our country is not insane and hateful. Yes there are many hateful people who supported Trump, but I don’t know any of them personally. My conservative friends are good people. They are fearful for their freedom, their safety, their jobs, and their way of life.
I am in no way changing my stance on Trump. I find him unfit to be President. I find him to be indicative of some of the worst qualities of humanity. But now liberals and moderates have to deal with it, each in their own ways. Let your voices be heard. Pray. Reach out. Protest. Get into politics. Move to Canada. Whatever you gotta do to.
I will write. I will pray. I will try to understand. I will try to find a common ground with which to work. That is not the right way or the wrong, it is simply my way. I will continue my relationships with my conservative friends and family. I refuse to unfriend. Although some of you have, I’ve never found it truly necessary.
A very wise conservative friend of mine shared this on Facebook:
The people took him seriously, not literally.
The media took him literally, not seriously.
This is a part of the new reality of our country. But hyperbole is nothing new. Teachers and leaders have been using it forever to inspire whatever they’re trying to inspire. Those who voted for him know that much of what Trump has said will never happen. It’s just something that resonates with them in some way. And what way is that? It is that they feel like someone is finally listening to them and will champion them. We all need that so badly. You can judge about what they are saying, but don’t you listen to people who you love even if you don’t like what they are saying?
Before I write another word, let me make it very clear who I am. I am white. I am straight. I am Christian. I was born in the U.S. I am male. I am Trump’s primary demographic. I have never known discrimination for may sex, my gender identity, my sexuality, my race, my religion, or my citizenship status. The only thing I’ve been discriminated against for was mental illness. That is not a small thing, but I still consider myself privileged beyond reason. Perhaps it is my naivety and privilege that allows me to write this piece. One of my first involuntary thoughts when I woke up to find that Trump had won was that at least I was who I was and had nothing to fear for myself, but I do fear for many people in my country given Trump’s many remarks, and his supporters’ responses.
Although it is true that Trump is often merely rhetorical in his speech, there are still dangers. I don’t like what I’m seeing. It’s one thing to be validated personally by him, but for him to incite hateful words and behavior is offensive to me. It is against my Christian values. I think of Jesus’ stump speech, The Beatitudes, in which he said that we will be blessed for being merciful and for making peace. Or when he said to return no evil for evil. And when he said love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Feed the poor. Clothe the naked. Take care of the widow. And when Moses instructed his people on how to welcome the immigrant.
Those are my Christian values. Those do not appear to be Trump’s values. Being anti-abortion and anti-gay does not make a person a Christian.
Concerning Christians who voted for Trump. They ARE Christians. They will continue to do the work of Christ in their communities. They see those Christian values I listed as critical personal and community values; just not a way to run a government. I know that is perplexing to some given their governmental stances on abortion and gay marriage. It is what it is.
I’m sitting here in a state of disarray, seeking wisdom. Feeling powerless. But you know what? I know the gift of powerlessness. As an alcoholic, I know that one of the greatest gifts God ever gave me was to be powerless over something. I have had no choice but to seek a higher power to look after my life; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I trust him deeply.
And so I close by sharing that although God may not change Trump’s ways, He can make good out of ALL things.
Import complicated 