Well, it’s taken me some time to come to grips with the disaster that befell our country on Nov. 5. It deeply saddens me that people in this country have chosen hate, division, lies, authoritarianism and incompetence over the opposite. My first thought was that people were just uninformed due to the media constantly whitewashing Donald Trump’s language and obvious mental deterioration, while doing their best to “normalize” the most vile and reprehensible person to ever run for office in this country.
However, after reflecting on this the past several days and reading so many comments coming from the MAGA side, I’ve come to a much different conclusion. This is indeed who we are now as a country. Racism and xenophobia, misogyny and hatred towards fellow Americans have been emboldened.
The question now is, what do we do about it? I was prepared to succumb to despair and just accept what had happened. Even considered what it would take to leave and go to a different country which has maintained a sense of decency. Then I decided that “No, I love this country too much to just bail out.” Besides, no matter what else is true, the U.S. is the most powerful and influential country in the world. Nobody will be able to escape the ramifications of what we have done.
Instead, those of like mind must do whatever we can to be the opposition. Don’t accept that we need to reject people who think or look different. Don’t be like the MAGA crowd. This country has overcome dismal times in the past and we will again. Keep faith and carry on. The battle has been lost, but the greater fight continues. God help us all.
Nick Daskalas, Sr., South Jordan
