On June 16th, 2015, Donald J. Trump officially announced his presidential bid.
A lot of people laughed, and some jokes were tossed around. Personally, I just saw it as an extension of reality television trying to make its way into the real world, and since things that are unrealistic eventually get stamped out, it wouldn't be long before the joke fizzled out and things would go back to normal.
Then something scary happened.
In seemingly no time whatsoever, Trump became the highest polling candidate on the Republican side. And I can't tell you how many times I would read about his rising popularity and shake my head. I think I was in denial, as a lot of people were.
Flash forward.
Earlier this week, after a loss in Indiana, Ted Cruz officially ended his presidential bid. I didn't like Ted Cruz. I didn't respect Ted Cruz. I can't really picture a Ted Cruz presidency. But, he offered a glimmer of hope that people on the right hadn't completely lost their damned minds.
The following day, John Kasich, the only remaining contender who exhibited a relatively level head, also threw in the towel.
So, here we are. Trump is the presumptive nominee for the Republican party. This is real. This is happening.
From the first day I started writing for The Odyssey, I've wanted to express my personal feelings about Trump. I have debated writing about the guy for a long time now. And for a few reasons, I haven't. I'm nowhere near alone in my disapproval of Trump. My venting doesn't necessarily stand out or express anything that hasn't been said. But maybe, just maybe, if I can reach even one person to help them see the reality of this nightmare, it will be worth the effort.
We are all aware of some of the crass, racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, and all-around hateful hings that Trump has said or promoted. Out loud, in public. With pride, no less.
After the statements he made about Muslims, one of the scariest things that resulted from that were the people that were standing up for him, using the defense of: "What's the big deal? We put the Japanese in internment camps during World War II just to be safe!"
Um.
World War II was seven decades ago. Have we learned nothing? Have these people never actually read a history book? Did they even go to school? Do they honestly think that these actions were ultimately good ideas? I just don't get it.
I never thought I would wish we could just get Mitt Romney to run again, but at the least the guy has some tact--even considering the 47% comments.
And when people argue that the folks on my side aren't so great, I can provide plenty of evidence to the contrary, but I think we all know that arguing reason in partisan debates is the equivalent of nailing jello to a tree. And I mean that for both sides; people are stubborn. I'd rather just respond with: "So that's your excuse?" This bag of human sewage is going to be our president because you'd rather listen to lies that have been proven inaccurate time and time again, and read made up click-bait virus-ridden websites for your information about the left?
And you think this guy has your best interest in mind? Are you kidding me!?
Ultimately, I think the worst thing that will come from Trump's hateful ideas, even if he doesn't win the presidency, is how old wounds that we have been working so hard to heal have been reopened.
Trump didn't create hateful people, he simply brought them out of the woodwork. The hate was already there, in their hearts, but he opened the door for it to come pouring out. All that people of color have had to go through to try to find some modicum of equality, and all the work we white folks who are not only "tolerant," but welcoming and inclusive have done to try to show other cultures, races, religions, etc. that there are people who aren't out to get them, is just out the window. It can be seen now that racism is not at all a thing of the past. Intolerance is still heavily present, and in droves.
Trump doesn't need to win the presidency to ruin America. We're already destroying ourselves. We're our own worst enemies.
But Trump winning the presidency would perpetuate these issues. We simply cannot have a president who not only condones hatred, but actively promotes it. And the people who exhibit such hatred need to be told this isn't about being "PC." Shutting your mouth and loosening your fists are attributes of civilized adults.
This is 2016. Hateful and ignorant people either need to see the light, or fade into the background.
To all of my friends, readers, and followers from various races, religions, and ethnicity: I am sorry. I am so, so sorry. This is not the America I want to live in. Trump supporters aside, this is not how all white Americans feel about other people. I don't blame you for any doubt and distrust you feel over the next--well, however long it takes for us to fix this.
