Be A Part Of The America You Want
It is important to understand the full number of challenges facing a return to a democratic government. They are multiple and multi-layered, and require different responses.
We first need to accept that, despite a ludicrous economic stance that places the country, if not the world, on shaky footing, Trump still commands a huge following. No matter what progress is made in removing Trump, his followers need to be converted or dealt with.
Layered on that challenge is the overwhelming racism Trump has dug out of the core of our country. It is embodied in governmental and citizen behavior at all socio-economic levels. We have to first name it publicly. Call it what it is: a structural method of dehumanizing people. It is not contained in one ethnic group: Blacks are racist against whites; Jews are racist toward Muslims; Muslims are racist against whites and Jews; and on and on with the largest racist group being whites who show racism against anyone not white and conservative.
Just using the term racism openly isn’t going to break its hold. It will take re-education of all age groups. Communities will have to be rebuilt with broader ties to all groups. Housing will have to be equalized. Jobs will have to be filled using a mix of DEI and meritocracy. You get the job because of your skill, regardless of ethnic background. Community goals have to be goals shared by multiple groups, not skewed toward one or another. Really scrutinizing candidates will be essential in local elections as well as national ones.
Education that covers government, civics, constituent responsibilities, and the election process is needed. The easy acceptance of lie upon lie, even among the well-educated is proof of this. Coupled with this is building confidence in using facts and speaking the truth out loud.
With the level fascism has been woven into the current administration, building that confidence will be difficult while citizens are fighting punishment for speaking the truth. The courts need to continue to strike down threats to constitutional freedoms. Congressional leaders need to join them in publicly pointing out the successes and vow to continue to fight any losses. Republican lawmakers need to recognize the constitution as law or be prepared to find a new career.
Finally, removing Trump would be a battle won, but it would not win the war. Each and every unqualified galvanized fascist that he has installed anywhere in the government will need to be rooted out and sent on their way. Constitutional law, the courts, Congress, and public pressure will all be a part of this.
Only after conquering these challenges will we be able to say we are on the road to recovery. It will still be a road with hills and valleys to face, but we can begin to hold our heads up again, expect some cautionary overtures from past allies, and launch repairs to the economy.
Protests are preparation. Community education has to be the next step, carried through candidate selection, campaigns, and get out the vote efforts. Criminality in any form must be publicly and swiftly addressed.
We need to become united. No longer parsed out into socio-economic bins, by educational level, ethnic group, age group, or even party. If you are an American or an immigrant hungering to be an American and you want a democratic society back, then you are part of the united front.
It won’t be an overnight shift, and what further atrocities will be thrown at us and our freedoms are unknown. But it’s a shift that has to start now, and it has to go beyond words and articles like this. We need to step up.
Start a multi-ethnic community group. It doesn’t have to be political. In fact, it would be better if it wasn’t. It should be a way to see people for who they are inside as well as outside: hold a few cooking classes, a book club, a knitting or quilting circle, resurrect stamp, rock, and coin clubs, community gardens, biking groups, host a walking tour of your favorite sites. Just about anything would work.
Join the America you want to be a part of and be the change you want to see.