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Over the last few years, I have had to come to terms with some things. Beliefs that I expounded as gospel, and ideas that I easily used to discredit those who dared live their life different from me. I had to abandon many of these notions when I finally decided to examine them and my thoughts on them.
I get Trump supporters, I truly do.
I understand the frustrations they felt under Obama. I felt the same type of emotions when beliefs I held appeared to be trampled. I understand the anger of feeling that nothing that was important to me would be protected.
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It’s easy to fall prey to these types of feelings. When I finally started doing self-examination, I came to realize it wasn’t about me at all. It was about the society and social settings I was part of at the time. It was about years of the same ideas, rehashed with each new generation. Never being questioned, examined, or challenged. It’s a cycle that is not only hard to break; it’s one that we’re naturally comfortable with ignoring.
It was hard to look inward and realize I could be wrong. It was nearly impossible actually to change my mind on many issues. However, it was absolutely terrifying to admit that I had indeed had a change of heart to friends and family. Religion, politics, social justice, they all had been reexamined in my mind. And I had come to different conclusions than I had previously held.
So I also understand the reluctant Trump supporter. The one who struggled with voting for the man his local social network said they should. The one who walked into the voting booth with that nagging feeling in the pit of their stomach, that perhaps, just maybe they shouldn’t.
That was me both times I didn’t vote for Obama.
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As this administration continues, there will be more that develop that feeling. With each new blast of outrageousness from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, more will stare into the mirror and ask “what the hell have I done?” Every time a new group appears to be the target of the executive pen. Anytime prejudice seems to be gaining a greater foothold. The guilt will be there.
Many will never feel this way; I know that. They will hold onto their beliefs and refuse to look inward. Not because they are afraid they may not be right, but because they are certain they can’t be wrong.
Will Trump do anything I agree with, yes most certainly he will. That won’t change the fact that I believe his presidency is bad for America and the world as a whole. It won’t negate my certainty that he has surrounded himself with what I think is the most unqualified cabinet in the history of our country. It isn’t going to reverse my belief that the real danger is not the president himself but his support staff and advisors that have his ear.
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The challenge will be, for those of us who opposed this presidency, not to gloat when his supporters begin to come to terms with their mistake. This can’t be about just being right; it has to be about making things better and moving forward. I also want to be able to keep my mind open to the possibility that Trump could prove me wrong. I think anyone who doesn’t truly want that is doing a disservice to themselves and their fellow man. However simply wanting him to prove me wrong, will not cause me to hold him to a lesser standard. It will not allow me to forgive and forget what has already been said and done.
Yes, he is our president, but we get to vote again in four years. And I have already learned an important lesson.
Things change.
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