By Ashley Green-Thompson
EVERYONE is talking about the Trump inauguration. I had made a decision to not join in, but then he went to church so I had to say something.
Millions of Americans voted for him – again. This time I was not surprised at the outcome, but I must confess I am still amazed that people chose this guy to be their leader. He’s a convicted felon, a self-proclaimed grabber of women’s crotches, and a narcissist who displays an almost complete absence of humanity and compassion in how he talks about marginalised people. His ego is probably rivalled only by his new sidekick Elon Musk, he with the nazi salute tendencies.
I don’t study US politics closely enough to claim knowledge or understanding of how this outcome came about. I do know that the conservative agenda has been long in the making, and the far right has been at work in institutions across the world. Europe is moving rapidly in that direction, and Brazil only recently escaped the clutches of Bolsonaro. Latin America is involved in big battles against the right. And Africa – well, I think we are an odd mix of conservative, progressive, radical, and sometimes downright loony. That might be a story for another day.
Trump and politicians like him appeal to people who are struggling to survive in a hostile market economy by offering simple solutions to their problems. Ironically, he blames the political elite for the problems facing poor communities. His promise is to ‘clean the swamp’ that is the political establishment, ignoring the rich white men who surrounded him at his inauguration. It’s the foreigners streaming over the border with Mexico who are taking jobs, not the billionaires and corporates seeking ever more profits. It’s China and the World Health Organisation, transgender people and environmentalists. This message is appealing because it offers someone
or something simple that people can blame. It’s populism, and it’s a very effective electoral strategy.
It’s hard to win over people by telling them that solving their problems will be complex and hard, and might require them to change their behaviour as part of finding the solution. So the electoral result was not a surprise, and the role the new administration will play in global affairs will be interesting to watch. What makes me fearful is how the political message that got Trump the presidency impacts marginal communities in the US. The early executive orders around gender identity, and diversity, equity and inclusion, and the pardons of neo-fascist far right groups will have the effect of condoning discrimination against whole sections of US society.
So when Trump and JD Vance went to church, and Bishop Mariann Budde, in her sermon, spoke the truth of what the teachings of Christ exhorts believers to do, I paid attention. She said directly to these powerful men in the pews a few metres from her: “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender
children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbours. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurudwaras and
temples. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here.” .
And then the kicker for me: “May God grant us the strength and courage to honour the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people.”
The courage of this woman to speak truth and challenge those in power inspires me. In last week’s column I posed a challenge about our purpose in life, that it should be to contribute to making the world a better place. This will take courage, and the good Bishop showed us how to do it. I hope she inspires you too to be brave.