watching the snowflakes
drift down and melt away -
inauguration
A poet friend sent me information about an
online protest against Donald Trump by writers and poets. The information
from the organizers contained more of the same negative, prejudging, critical
comments typical of these protests.
I said I found the protest - and similar efforts - silly
and misguided and trendy. I noted that while I did not support or vote for
Trump and while I was troubled by some of the things he has said, he has not
been inaugurated and has not officially done anything yet worthy of protesting.
I said we need to wait until he actually does something, then, if we are
troubled, protest. And I argued that knee-jerk protesting might undermine
the protesters' credibility making it harder to protest specific things later.
The friend noted
that he has already said many troubling things, and that he has nominated
objectionable people for Cabinet and administration positions. He said I had
optimism that he did not share.
I responded with the following:
Optimism? Perhaps, but I prefer to think of it as following
the lead of Mahatma Gandhi who believed there was good in all people and who
sought to call forth that goodness. He never protested until the person whose
actions he was protesting actually did - not just talked about - what Gandhi
was protesting. Moreover, when he protested the protest was focused, with a
clear goal that was obtainable. He did not stage broad, amorphous, vitriolic
protests.
Too much of what I see of these anti-Trump efforts are
scattershot, with too much of the kitchen sink approach, and not taking into
account changes and adjustments in his statements and positions. Indeed, many
of the protests seem to be about yelling and screaming for the sake of yelling
and screaming just for the fun of yelling and screaming and because all the
right people are yelling and screaming. I suspect if Gandhi were around today
he would write letters to and articles about Mr. Trump cautioning him and
advising him, but not protesting until Trump actually did anything worth
protesting and only when there was a chance of success.
I understand the fear that some people feel, but sometimes
that fear is based on perceptions and not reality. And while Trump does say and
do much that is troubling, the protesters often seem to ignore when he has done
some reasonable and generous things, and rather than engaging in dialogue to
promote what is best for the country and to build on what is good - as Gandhi
would have done - they seem more intent on stereotyping, name-calling, and
mocking. I see a lot of hate and bigotry in the language of those who attack
Trump's alleged hate and bigotry.
I wrote another short comment, then went off to do
other things. When I later tried to return to the thread I was not able
to - don't know if I was officially blocked, or the thread was removed. But my
comments were also gone.
So much for free speech and sharing views.
So many of the protests seem to be based on misinformation,
outdated information, opponent talking points and so on. And with
some, there is are agendas that some of those caught up into the emotion of the
moment may not be aware. I have Catholic friends who plan to take part in the
Women's marches, for example, without realizing that those marches are really
about abortion and other concerns that go against Catholic teachings.
But if you dare to point that out, you are dismissed or cut
off.
Just as the "free-speech" promoting writers
apparently did.
I suspect I will protest some of the things Trump says
he'll do if he does indeed go ahead and do them. But I will wait until he
actually does them, look at what he has done, and judge if the issue is worthy
of protest and is one to which there is a better alternative.
Pax et bonum
Pax et bonum
