2020 was the winter of our discontent in America. We all watched the economy crater while over 350,000 Americans died of Covid-19. Many of us were deeply disturbed by the murder of George Floyd in broad daylight. Protests swept across the nation demanding action for racial justice. In this toxic mix of socio-political unrest, Donald Trump denied that he lost in a free and fair election and spread constant lies about the results of the election. But, like many people, I was so relieved that the divider-in-chief had lost his reelection.
A few days before Christmas 2020, I came across a handwritten sign with a simple message: “But, a good man beat a con man.” I knew in my heart that Joe Biden would be a president for all Americans. His decades in public service demonstrated his love for American values and institutions. I am forever grateful that Biden ended the long national nightmare of Trump.
Trump, on the other hand, is a con man who used his office for personal gain and divided us with inflammatory rhetoric. He spread vicious lies about his enemies while tanking America’s reputation abroad. He never cared about America; he only cared about himself. He didn’t want to bring us together. Trump exploited the winter of our discontent to make us angrier and fearful of the future.
In 2024, America faces a series of existential questions: Will we return to the winter of our discontent? Will we choose division, fear, and hatred? Many Americans have forgotten that winter of discontent, but history will always remember. We must again reject the con man so that a good woman can prevail.
Jacob Newman, Millcreek