At the ripe old age of 34, I have sat through many elections. I worked on a few, ran in an election as a candidate myself. Needless to say, the election that took place in the United States on Nov 8, shook me to the core in so many ways.
First of all, when my smug 16-year-old nephew comes up to me and tells me that "If I insult black people, Asians, Muslims, Latinos and make fun of women, be a bully, I too, can be the president of the United States." I wouldn't know what to say to that, not anymore.
In some ways, he is absolutely right. If he adopts your tactics in an increasingly divisive and crude society, he very well could run for president, and possibly win, just like you.
Donald, please know that, more Americans voted for your opponent on November 8. However, I give you props on your win while millions of Americans riot on the streets as we speak. I know, maybe you are just really a Huge, Successful real estate mogul from New York who saw that 1000 dollar bill called the "Republican Nomination" and picked it up.
Maybe deep down, like you said, you are not really a racist since you made so many great deals with people from different countries. But during this campaign, Team Trump has left no stone unturned when it comes to insulting Americans.
It is hard for me to name a group that you did not make vicious fun of already, except the white American males. Wait a minute, actually, I think you might have insulted them too, when you asked the rhetorical question "How Stupid Are The People of Iowa?" the night you lost your primary there.
This election has been INSANE and it is bringing out the real housewives in all of us!
Now, you must have the courage to show, that not only you are Not a racist, you have the leadership, dignity, temperament, compassion and grace to bring people together and heal. I'd like you to go on an apology tour, preferably on your own Trump jet because I know, even as the 45th president of America, personal branding is important to you.
Here is what I like you to do. I'd like you to start by saying how sorry you are when you began that toxic crusade called the "birther movement" against President Obama 5 years ago. I knew you never believed in that nonsense yourself. But because it attracted eye balls and gave you tons of air time, you pushed hard for it. I guess little did you know or care that it would create so much hatred against the first black president. It also ended up giving legitimacy to the xenophobia some of your supporters brewed.
Donald, trust me, I know white privilege is amazing. In fact, I got jealous of Ivanka for having a rich, white dad. But for folks like us, and the Obamas, the civil rights movement is what gave us a seat at the table, finally. Over the years, I disagreed with President Obama on so many issues like Health Care, The Economy, Immigration and foreign policy. But I tear up every time I saw the Obamas and the Bushes walked hand in hand on the 50th Anniversary of the Marches from Selma to Montgomery.
I know deep down, you are just a New York Liberal who was looking for air time. You were never expected to win the presidency. But remember this, as a Presidential candidate, your words had meanings. They were powerful. People listened to them. When you said China is stealing American jobs, the Klan's men took it to the street after you victory and took it out on Chinese Americans. They called them Chinks and told them to go back to China even though they have probably been in America as long as your family has.
Sadly after your victory, some of those rhetoric have come to self-actualization. As people of color, we would like to think after decades of struggle, that we have finally made it. But apparently, not so. Just a couple of days, ago, in a public school in California, someone wrote "white only " and "colored" on the water fountain. In other incidents, there was a swastika painted on properties, there were Muslim students who had knives pulled on them for wearing their hijab. More than 200 incidents of hate crimes have been filed with the police since you took office. We, as minorities were not tone deaf to the undercurrent of racism and bigotry in your campaign rhetoric.
Donald, you tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media. But you also opened the Pandora box of hatred xenophobia and bigotry. Your campaign slogan "Make America Great Again" feels a lot like "Make America White Again" these days.
You saw racism, poured gasoline on it and lit a match. As the President Elect, you need to realize, there is no difference between your words and your actions anymore. Your words, are your actions from now on.
I am somewhat relieved to hear that recently, you denounced the hate crime waged on minorities by white supremacists. That is a step in the right direction. But it is not enough. America has struggled too many decades in the fight against discrimination, bigotry and sexism. We are not going to accept a President who is trying to divide us. The hard working Chinese restaurant workers in Flushing, the Mexican farmers picking grapes in California, the black women catching a 5 am bus in DC to go to work are not our enemies.
Donald, I did not want you to win. But at the same time, I did not want those millions of middle class hard working Americans to lose either. After rounds of cheap wine, chicken nuggets, 3 medium sized pizza, 2 lbs of chocolate coated espresso beans, I am slowly getting over my own denial. Finally, I am getting ready to call you President Trump.
President Trump, you need to go on an apology tour, so people from the left, right and center can all start the healing process. Making America great again, must include all Americans. And ya betcha I will be present.
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