With Trump’s Inaugural Address, America Goes Nationalist
Trump’s speech had two audiences:
- The people who heard him say “the people” and thought “yes, that’s me”
- Everyone else
Most of the world is in group 2. So are a majority of Americans.
But group 1 is big.
You know which group you’re in.
(Those of you hedging your bets and/or cautiously hoping for the best? You’re in group 2).
January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.
The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.
Everyone is listening to you now.
Is that you? Are you “the people?”
Forming the base of the president’s 42% approval rating are millions of Trumpian Populists.
Their answer is a resounding yes.
It must be quite a feeling.
The speech went all in on nationalism. It reeked of Steve Bannon.
At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other.
There’s isolationism, economic protectionism, and a callback to Lindbergh’s slogan from when he was trying to stop America from fighting the Nazis.
From this moment on, it’s going to be America First.
Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.
We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.
The word “liberty,” a staple of presidential rhetoric, was nowhere to be found. “Freedom” popped up once.
In place of these words about what the state owes individuals were “loyalty” and “patriot,” words about what individuals owe the nation.
When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.
This nationalism supersedes race; all are welcome.
Whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.
But what about the people who don’t loyally open their hearts to patriotism in the way Trump defines it?
We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.
Whether you’re in group 1 or group 2, think about how the other group heard the new president’s words. How exhilarating or unnerving it must be, depending on whether you’re “us” or “them.”
A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our sights, and heal our divisions.
We’ll see.
