Sanity Check on the Hypocrisy of Anti-Trump Protestors
Don’t they have jobs? Shouldn’t they just get over it?
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The U.S.A. made its bottom line clear on November 8th, 2016. Shaking up the establishment by electing a public con-man was more important than the fight for civil rights. Meanwhile, 41.6% of eligible voters did not vote.
After the bubble burst and the initial shock wore off, Anti-Trump protestors took to the streets. These groups show no signs of slowing down or going away. Naturally, there has been no shortage of criticism about this move on both sides of the party line. This idea that unity means ignoring damning issues for the sake of a peaceful facade.
“What is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity.”
— Martin Luther King: The Other America, 1968
Each protestor has their own idea of what their march is for. Some call for the removal of the Electoral College, others demand Trump rescind his position, yet others are crusading for specific civil rights interests. But what common theme unites these? How does the world at large interpret this march against Trump?
Some critics deem their march as anti-democracy. Others quickly point out violent rioters, although the organizations are denouncing them and covering damages. Yet others say half the protestors didn’t vote in the first place and therefore have no right to complain, but it is worth noting this claim is not a proven fact. While one could argue the legitimacy of these points all day, it shows a clear misunderstand of what, exactly, these protests mean to those who are terrified for their lives and families.
Are these protestors hypocrites; simply whiny babies who haven’t gotten their way? Are these protests achieving anything positive?
I am not a political pundit. I understand that I am one tiny person in a big wide world and maybe I’ve got it all wrong. I cannot speak for others, but I will share my interpretation of what I have witnessed.
That said, here is my case for why these protests are deeply significant.
It Matters Because the The World is Watching
People everywhere are more dubious than ever, wondering What does it mean to be American?
So, you think the election protests are whiners or aren’t accomplishing anything. To you I say, please! Please understand they are seen as a sign of good faith around the world. The eyes of the world can watch as Americans get their wakeup call, as thousands of U.S. citizens young and old turn out to stand against racism, sexism, and xenophobia. While the lack of voters was inexcusable, the damage is done and what matters is whether they will show up from now on.
Nations overseas see this and find it comforting. Hell, there are protestors in Europe joining in solidarity from their own cities.
I am here overseas, living and feeling the reaction to U.S. politics.
I watch the news and the press. I hear the way people talk about us. The only groups I have seen excited about Trump’s election are literal Neo-Nazis and their ilk. I point this out not to say you are necessarily any of these things by voting Trump, but that you should at least acknowledge who else is in your corner and all too eager to take advantage of their newfound mainstream acceptance or worse—indifference.
If you find these ideals reprehensible and have no wish to see them rise to power, you must participate in a proactive plan to ensure these groups have no reason to be so giddy.
Simply deciding Neo-Nazis and their ideology won’t become an issue because you aren’t personally racist isn’t enough. This calls for collective action.
Defining What it Means to Be an Elitist Whiner
Some things are all about perspective.
I’ve been living nomadically for over four years. This has given me ample opportunity to learn what it is other countries dislike about Americans so much… and a lot of it boils down to blindly nationalistic elitism.
Imagine an American who says blatantly racist things (using fictional data to validate their views), a person who cares nothing about how their behavior impacts others. When you point out these problems, they complain about being called a bigot, demanding that this politically correct culture must stop because now they are being oppressed.
Over here, it is these Americans — those who think they should be able to say or do anything they want to anyone without experiencing social consequences—who are the problem. These are the people much of the world sees as self-absorbed whiners that, when they do travel, make trouble everywhere they go. They expect special treatment the way they get in the States due to their privilege, which is still never enough. They stamp their feet and threaten people and throw money around until they get their way. They show zero empathy by either remaining ignorant to how egocentric their behavior is, or knowing but simply not caring because they feel they are intrinsically better than everyone else. Ultimately, they value dominance over all else and spend most of their energy asserting it.
In case you’ve missed it, Trump represents all of these things to an extraordinary number of people. For whatever of these he does not do directly, he gives platform to. Watching Americans be publicly repulsed by him is positive for our international relations.
In summary: One could easily argue that electing an unqualified president out of spite is the ultimatum of a whiny, self-absorbed people who refuse to see past their own nose.
Why This Explanation Might Not Click For You
If you’re not a direct victim of Trumpism, it’s easy to understand why you’re out of this loop. Admittedly, we’re all guilty of existing in our own bubbles.
Now is the time to clue in so we can talk about it instead of throwing memes at each other. There are severe flaws on both sides of the party lines, but right now it is difficult to have a constructively critical conversation about either. Meanwhile, only one party has full majority control over the U.S. government come January 20th, and it is shaping up to be an explicit threat to many citizens.
I do not bring these points up to say all Trump supporters are white nationalists who want an ethnic cleansing in America (or want to torture queer people into pretending to be straight, or to normalize rhetoric surrounding other civil rights atrocities). It is to say, look around and realize that people who absolutely believe in those things are your most vocal and powerful teammates.
They are not in as few numbers as you may like to believe. Like it or not, these are the people you signed up to work with side-by-side.
Their qualities are typically insidious, rationalized until it almost sounds logical. If you are white (particularly straight and Christian—Lord forbid I specify male), you will not necessarily notice their behaviors. In fact, their actions are designed to benefit and appeal to you, albeit in a twisted way. Without knowing anything about it, you will not notice what is happening behind the scenes. Or at least, not until it is too late. History shows us all too clearly even the most terrible regimes don’t spring up overnight, they simply need to not be taken seriously for long enough.
I’ll say it again, louder this time:
History shows even the most terrible regimes don’t appear overnight, they rely on not being taken seriously until it is too late.
If you don’t speak up in opposition frequently and with fervor, these groups will continue to represent you and they will influence our government. If you are silent or choose to ignore this, the rest of the world will interpret that as meaning you fall in line with them.
Unity Only Comes With Self-Awareness
No matter how well-intentioned we are, we are still products of our society.
If you are offended by being called a racist or a bigot, you may find that an ounce of humbleness and self-awareness goes a long way.
“When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don’t get to decide that you didn’t.”
— Louis C.K.
Our country is built on awful deeds. That does not mean that we are to be blamed for our ancestors, but we are responsible for creating a more whole country that delivers on its promise of freedom and equality. We must consider what it means to create liberty for all. The right to pursue happiness should not include the right to prohibit the happiness of others.
When someone explains to you how you violate that spirit with your words and actions, it might be better to assume you are unintentionally at fault than take offense.
You may mean well, but ultimately your impact is what matters. If someone corrects you, it is because they believe you are a good person and do not wish to perpetuate those things. It is, quite frankly, arrogant to turn your nose up at the idea you may be part of the problem.
I share in this blame and count myself as part of the problem—it’s taken me years of discipline to learn how to listen and understand how I can start changing for the better.
Society taught me that queer people are unacceptable, black men are to be feared, poor people are all no-good moochers, women exist to serve men, and that only a Christian can be a good judge of moral value. I was indoctrinated by these irrational beliefs, and I had to explore the world to teach myself to stop internalizing them. These narratives exist everywhere you look in America, not just in church.
Losing control over this kind of dominance feels like oppression to those who have power. However, it is simply the shift to a more balanced freedom, a world where they cannot so easily bend others to their personal gain.
Part of what I can do is bring awareness to these things, because it is not the job of an oppressed party to remove their shackles. By definition, oppressed people are at a disadvantage and could use your help to be set free. As you might imagine, being consistently put at a disadvantage while being told “Suck it up, this is your fault for being this way” could make someone a bit angry and not so easily approachable. It is not their job to make you feel good about helping them, you should help them and be patient about it because it is the right thing to do.
What does that mean for me, personally? As a white person, I want to help other white people realize their passive but dangerous role in perpetuating racism. As a queer woman, I want to highlight my own narrative in an effort to show I am simply human, someone who does not exist for the pleasure and service of men.
What might this look like for you?
Another invaluable ingredient is listening and learning when I’ve messed up, but to always strive for the next best step. Here I am, listening to better understand why blunt discrimination and hatred hasn’t been a deal breaker for so many. I want to know what our common issues are, which only happens if we are all aware of them in the first place.
The System is Flawed, Our Work Is Not Done
No matter who you voted for, our work is cut out for us.
I understand that the system was, and perhaps more importantly—still is, broken. Hillary represented that wretched system to so many across the U.S.A. However, what was voted in is deeply dangerous. It is understandable to be excited that things will inevitably be different, but there is no logical reason to think Donald Trump himself is the change we want to hold onto. It will take admitting what his (and our own) problems are to build any bridges going forward.
I, too, voted for an imperfect solution and would be responsible for staying vigilant against Hillary’s risks had my vote won. Simply voting in a wildcard to “mix things up” isn’t enough, it means we need to be involved now more than ever.
The networks forming within the protests right now are critical to that involvement. People woke up November 9th to realize that their apathy and inaction played a role in this, and now they are stepping up to participate in democracy the next best way.
If you still believe that the protests are pointless, might I ask — what good does it do to complain about them? What action are you taking to understand what is at stake and put at-risk minds at ease? (No, telling people to calm down doesn’t count.)
We are all guilty of being hypocrites at some point. I’d wager many of us have complained about things we didn’t use our voting power to change.
These protests make a powerful statement, to me if nobody else. Whether you hear that statement or not, others are listening intently and do not feel so alone.
We are finding strength. We are realizing that we have a voice that matters.
It is helping people take their first steps to prepare against, if Trump’s appointments so far are any indicator, what violations of freedom are coming.
As long as people continue denying the problems at hand, I’ll keep talking about it. If only because you can’t fix a problem if you deny it exists in the first place. Until we can acknowledge each other, we will not find unity.
Let’s refuse to normalize what is happening to us. Rather, let’s find a way to discuss these events without confusing justified anger with irrational hatred.
You might be surprised to find at the core of it, we share the same exact concerns.
Disclaimer: I am excluding the violence that erupted after Election Day because that is an entire article on its own.
