I had an entirely different post scheduled for today. About teaching and special education and staying involved despite leaving the classroom this year.
But, instead, you’re going to get my ramblings.
Because, this morning, all I can think about is what’s been going on over the past few days and I feel like opening up and writing helps me process everything so much better.
It’s just all this stuff that’s been brought up with the incident in Charlottesville.
I guess I knew all along that there were these people out there in the shadows. I just didn’t realize how many. And with such anger and hatred burning them up inside.
Source: Evelyn Hockstein/Washington Post
When we first moved to rural Tennessee, I tried so hard to keep an open mind. I asked questions and listened to stories and even got to a point where I understood why people voted the way they did.
This is a whole different side of America that I didn’t know existed. I had been living in my California bubble – surrounded by liberals and I just didn’t know what it was like to live in a rural town.
So, when we moved here – during election year – I tried to understand why people casted their ballot the way they did.
And I thought I understood. I mean, I guess I still do understand why things happened the way they did.
But now?
Now, I don’t know why there continue to be people who support this man.
Yesterday, when Donald Trump returned to his “both sides” argument and argued that counter protestors were being the violent ones, he made it very clear that he was defending the white nationalists.
He is the first one to speak out when an act of “terrorism” occurs around the country. When the person behind the attack is brown. But then claims he was “waiting for the facts” before calling out these neo-Nazis and KKK people behind the events in Charlottesville. That violence was fueled by one side and one side only: white supremacists spreading racism, intolerance & intimidation. That is a fucking fact.
Rural America – I’m looking at you right now.
I get why you voted for him.
But, he won’t bring your manufacturing jobs back. He can’t. He makes promises he cannot keep. Because he knows what you want to hear. And then he uses it to screw you over.
We cannot allow a neo-Nazi defender to remain in power.
If you voted for him, I get it.
But now let’s work to fix it.
It’s no longer about being liberal/conservative.
It’s about basic human decency.
Racism and intolerance are NOT what this country stands for.
I live in Canada and am so thankful that we are lead by a liberal Prime Minister that stands up for my views. I always think of Canada as a place this stuff doesn’t happen – but now there is some Nationalist party here that’s planning a public appearance. Pretty scary 🙁 Ever since Trump came into power its even affecting other countries too, and more crazy people are surfacing. Ugh. I truly hope this man gets thrown from power, and soon.
Preach. We live in a rural town and being a mixed-raced couple and having black and brown children — we get looks. What’s happening around the country right now is scaring me. I went to bed sobbing last night. I dread the day I have to explain to my son why he needs to be extra careful when dealing with police. What the hell is going on?!
Saddened by all that has been going on. Thanks for this post.
I have had a hard time processing the news of the last few days. As a parent I feel so sad about my son growing up in a time that should be better than it was for his grandparents. How did we end up going so backwards? I just can’t handle it. We have to fight. We need that man out of office NOW.
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I love this so much. So so true. I didn’t vote for Trump – I couldn’t really fathom why most people did. Yes, I have friends and family that did and I heard their reasons, but I NEVER trusted that Trump would do the things they so wanted him to do. Plus, where I live, he won the state and he won my county. He’s not calling these white nationalists out and he needs to do so. People need to stand up – regular people and those who hold power – and fight back. This is not the America we should want to live in, with so much hate and anger.
-Lauren
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“He is the first one to speak out when an act of “terrorism” occurs around the country. When the person behind the attack is brown. But then claims he was “waiting for the facts” before calling out these neo-Nazis and KKK people behind the events in Charlottesville. That violence was fueled by one side and one side only: white supremacists spreading racism, intolerance & intimidation. That is a fucking fact.”
You nailed it. It’s hypocracy x100. Since when does Donald Trump care about facts? All he wants is for things to fit his own narrative. This man needs to go.
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Don’t feel alone. Most people can’t understand how we let this happen. We’ll before he was nominated I spoke out about the scourge of Trump and his followers. I was surprised at the response of a few causal Facebook friends. Needless to say they are no longer on my list. But now we have to do exactly as you are doing and get active and speak out. Why has this man not been impeached already.
Zero tolerance. I agree with you 100 percent.
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Our hearts cry out to see what has been happening in the last few days.
Saddened by it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for sharing this post. It is so important that we make our voices heard in any way possible. I am so disgusted, horrified, and afraid about what’s been happening with Trump and our current administration, and people need to continue standing up for social justice and human rights. Like you said, this is no longer about politics.
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As you know, minus Lexington and Louisville – Kentucky has very similar individuals as Tennessee. It scares me how easily people believe the loudest but also, many of these individuals have felt so unheard that because he has given them just “a little” acknowledgement, they believe he will “save them.” There is so much I have and could say. I worry that many of our population have become followers and refuse to educate on the truths…. it is up to each of us to continue speaking out and as loud as we can.
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I have to keep it real and say that the climate of police brutality and Trump winning the election did seem like a permission slip for hate but it was never in the shadows and it would be hard to realize that if you didn’t experience it every day like people of color do, we tend to only give things credit when it is our own experience. I have experienced racism first hand because of who I chose to love and I can tell you this isn’t sudden or surprising. Honestly, I do have some trouble with those who say move on or let’s move on with love because we have ignored and supported it for so long it is no longer possible to move on. This should be a wake-up call to everyone for a change.
Beautiful. Sending more love and good thoughts from north of the border. His actions are normalizing the unthinkable everywhere. It will shift. Posts like this help. xx
There is no shame for canceling a post you had planned when there is something on your heart that needs to be said. This is very well written, Divya and you make some good points. What’s done is done as far as who is in office. Now it’s time to work!
It’s been such a disheartening. I check Twitter and it’s a constant wave of horrible news. I have to believe that love and kindness will prevail at some point.
Very compassionately phrased. I have some friends who don’t understand why they’re now being lumped in with his white supremacist supporters, and I’ve struggled for a kind way to say to them, “You’re knowingly standing on the same side of a really important line as the KKK… please stop asking me why people think you’re racist.”