Exploiting Racism For Personal Gain
This past week, democracy spoke and we voted out the bigot that led our land for the past four years. As we celebrate the historic election, it’s hard not to be saddened by the fact that over seventy million Americans voted to keep him in power. Looking back on the years since he first announced a run for presidency, as well as all of his antics attempting to comment on politics prior, it is clear that the outgoing president is an inherently racist person. Every thing he has said, every policy he has pushed, and every trick he has tried to pull has had underlying racist motives — from calling others rapists and shitholes, to separating and caging refugee families, failing to condemn white supremacy, freely using a variety of derogatory terms, pulling out of globalization deals with allies,… and worst of all, modeling to American people that it is all okay.
For the many of us who rejoiced at having diverse and representative leadership under the administration before him, it was shocking that that was happening to the country we all love. More shocking was not just that it was tolerated, but that it was in many ways also encouraged. The lame duck president knew that exploiting racism wins him support. He used that to his own advantage, over and over. And we the people demanded an end to it last week.
But what does it mean about those that voted for him? It’s difficult to make the case that they too are all racist as many of his supporters cite things like the economy or push for conservative values as the reasons for their vote. Still however, the racism didn’t bother the seventy million that voted for him. Those who support him can then be categorized to fall into one of three categories: either they are inspired by the racist rhetoric, they are able to ignore it or explain it away, or they argue that it does not exist. No matter into which category they fall, it is still indicative of a widespread tolerance for racism, and every black, indigenous, and person of color living in our country has reason to fear fellow citizens. No matter where one goes, everyone in America must live with a fear that they will be stuck in a space with a racist, one that felt empowered to be that way because of their president.
As we move forward and transition to a new era, we can work together to shift our culture towards a more welcoming space for all, unlike any we have ever had before. It goes beyond pointing fingers and doling out labels, it requires sharing and celebrating our diversity and developing collective values grounded in love for all. To the seventy million that voted for much of the same hate we saw for the past four years, the hope is that you are able to reflect on that time and see it for what it was and what it should not have been. The wish is that you learn to love your neighbors and seek not just your own good but also the good of others.
We do not want to be a racist country and we cannot tolerate racism in any way, shape, or form. If you agree… then let’s condemn those that incite and excite racist views and progress towards a better and more colorful future for all.
