One man's take on Trump
Bob Dylan once said, “You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing!”
American citizens’ duty is not to warn the public, but to consider and remind the public of the historical lessons that Trump has unwittingly provided us.
One lesson: One of our nation’s principal tenets is E pluribus unum, “out of many, one.” The strength of our country depends on the diversity of races and cultures, working together and complementing each other, to create a strong, diverse society. The derogatory term birtherism, meaning one not born in the United States, is the opposite of America’s slogan.
Donald Trump reflects much of the American psyche. First, his wealth, power and celebrity status have a broad appeal to many Americans. The more impulsive, vulgar, bullying and egotistical, the more some Americans equate this with success. His perception of America speaks to many Americans.
It may seem harsh; however, history has shown that Donald Trump is narrow-minded. The examples are exhaustive.
Throughout his life, he has repeatedly made racist and narrow-minded remarks. He was fined as a property owner $200,000 for his discriminatory policies toward people of color. He has called Mexicans criminals and rapists and he has issued a ban on Muslims entering the country.
Trump has suggested a Mexican-American judge recuse himself in a case involving him, because his Mexican heritage would show bias. He has stereotyped a Black reporter, he has pandered to white supremacists and Proud Boys, jokes about the Trail of Tears, and refuses to rent any of his properties to people of color. He repeatedly campaigned against the Black Central Park Five, who spent years in prison for a crime they did not commit. Trump claimed they were guilty and promoted execution, even after evidence exonerated them.
He challenged the birthright of President Obama when evidence proved he was born in the United States. He campaigned on the Hispanic hordes that are destroying America through crime, corruption and welfare. Or, eating citizens’ pets. Trump referred to the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus “or the “kung flu” to deflect responsibility for its containment in America. Trump also made fun of a disabled journalist by mimicking his physical gestures.
This discussion is one of semantics, but considering the creation of our country's settlement, it’s an important one for Americans to be reminded. Is Trump bigoted or racist? Neither trait is one that Americans should want in a president of a multicultural country. Perhaps we’re not who we think we are?
Americans have voted for Trump twice. Have we forgotten our roots? Have we forgotten our nation’s story of the Pilgrims, immigrants, the “tired, our poor, our huddled masses yearning to breathe free”?
DR James, Eureka, Montana