Trump's violent rhetoric, a return to our values, and helpful resources on antiracism
A non-exhaustive summary of a turbulent week in Presidential rhetoric and resources on antiracism
Hi everyone,
I’ve taken some time away from writing to observe and listen.
Admittedly, I spent the beginning of the week at the fringes of Twitter and got little sleep as a result, a mistake I seldom make but also an opportunity I took to understand the complexity of the overlapping movements and philosophies that are currently colliding in our Nation.
I was also outraged at Donald Trump’s six-minute speech on June 1st where he announced he was an ally of progress while failing to recognize that the day marked the start of Pride Month (a movement famously energized by the riots at Stonewall).
Also, while announcing that he was an ally of peaceful protestors everywhere, he was using military force to push back demonstrators so that he could stage a strange photo-op with a Bible, that he has never opened, at a Church that did not welcome his presence.
It was made clear twice that Trump is, at best, unfamiliar with the Bible. When he was asked if it was “his Bible,” he responded that it was “a Bible.” When asked what his favorite Bible verse was, he refused to comment. When asked what his favorite testament was, he deftly dodged the question, saying he loves the whole book equally.
He also chose to acknowledge that The Art of the Deal is his second favorite book, a clue into how Trump views himself by placing his own book - though not written by him - directly behind the word of God in his ranking.
Former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, usually silent on all things Trump, spoke out against this militaristic display and use of force. Mattis said he was “angry” and “appalled” at the President’s use of force against peaceful protestors.
Mattis said:
“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership.”
Mattis also reminded us that “the protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.”`
This is only one example of Trump’s dangerous rhetoric throughout the week.
Earlier in the week, he referred to protestors as “thugs,” a racially-charged and insensitive term that serves to delegitimize the movement, as well as continually referencing the 2nd Amendment and encouraging gun violence in his speeches and Tweets.
In one heavily criticized Tweet, Trump stated, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
He later attempted to roll back the severity of this Tweet by saying it was a fact, not a statement (he meant his opinion) while ignoring the fact that facts are statements and while claiming to be unaware of the history of the phrase (which is quickly summarized below).
It was used by a bigoted police chief with a history of violence in the late ‘60s. The police chief said they didn’t “mind being accused of police brutality.”
Ignorance is neither acceptable nor a valid excuse.
At a time when our country’s wounds are open wide, it feels particularly insensitive and unaware for Trump to be repeating those words (though no one has ever accused Trump of being either sensitive or aware).
One might attempt to dismiss the moment as a Black Swan event, “an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight,” but that ignores the series of events and decisions that have led us here.
This moment wasn’t unpredictable, it was inevitable.
Trump’s dangerous rhetoric is in stark contrast to the comments of those like Mattis and Joe Biden, who published a particularly heartfelt article on Medium (linked here), urging a return to American values. Biden, in recent campaign emails, has repeatedly stated that we are in a battle for “the soul of our Nation.”
Our nation is being issued a moral litmus test.
What will we stand for?
The importance of communication moving forward is clear. It is obvious to anyone who has been paying attention (which should be all of us) that this moment necessitates difficult conversations and deep work to heal the personal and the collective.
I hope that moving forward, I, and we, can be a part of facilitating those conversations to help guide our country to a return to its values and heal our ailing Nation.
In an attempt to honor the ongoing movement of elevating the voices of people of color, I’m including some resources that I’m finding helpful for educating myself as well as ways to get involved and to support these causes.
Here are links to a few resources that may be helpful in informing yourself:
How to be an Anti-Racist 101 - This is a text-message based course for people new to antiracism. It is only $6 and all proceeds will go to TGI Justice, Reclaim the Block, and Black Lives Matter. You will receive daily texts at a time of your choosing on your choice of either Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or a text message to your phone. It is an incredibly convenient way to donate and support while also educating yourself.
1619, a podcast - From the NY Times: “‘1619’ is a New York Times audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery.” It’s an extremely compelling look into the history of American slavery, its dark legacy, and how it is still impacting our country today.
The 13th - This award-winning documentary is an honest and thought-provoking look at the American prison system and the criminalization of African Americans. It can be found on Netflix.
Black plant-based bloggers - A list of black plant-based bloggers that you can follow on Instagram
Antiracist books - An image of a crowdsourced list of books on antiracism
#WEAREDONEDYING - A list of petitions and organizations you can donate to
Antiracism Resources - An extensive list of resources ranging from widely available articles, podcasts, videos, books, and documentaries
George Floyd, the War on Drugs, and Psychedelics - This newsletter is not written by a POC but I feel it should be shared because of its unique take on the issues. The publisher argues that we cannot advocate for psychedelics as a potential treatment for mental illnesses while not also addressing the systemic issues that may lead to these issues that disproportionately affect communities of color. As an advocate for psychedelic medicines myself, it was an interesting and new take.
From the newsletter:
“The murder of George Floyd offers the chance to examine the incentives that the Drug War perpetuates when it comes to the police’s relationship with black and poor communities.”
The author argues that improving treatment options can help those suffering on the one hand and that “abolishing the War on Drugs on the other serves to treat AND prevent instances of mental and emotional illness.”
It’s a compelling take and argument.
There are links to helpful resources and information on policing and drug reform.
This is not an exhaustive list…
but it is a start.
There are tons of resources available, many of which are available above.
Ignorance is no longer an excuse. It is a choice, and it is an indefensible one.
Let us choose to inform ourselves. Let us guide this nation back home to Herself, to its proposed values. Let us no longer stand for an exclusionary application of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Let us do our part to see the American Dream realized.
Let us be on the side of justice, peace, and harmony.
Let us be on the side of love.
Until next time,
KB