Donald Trump fumbled, then punted his responsibility for confronting the COVID-19 pandemic to state governors and city mayors, but when yet another black man is murdered by police, he talks of mobilizing the military and condones shooting protesters and rioters (“When the looting begins, the shooting starts”). He demands rough treatment and the use of military force against those expressing frustrations and outrage that have festered during 400 years of racism and denial of basic human rights, all to mobilize the white nationalists in his base.
Now Trump uses police and troops employing tear gas, rubber bullets and concussion grenades to rout peaceful protesters from the street in front of the White House. Why? To clear a path so he can stage a cynical photo op — Trump, in front of a church he won’t enter, holding a Bible, a book with which his familiarity stops at its cover. The man has no shame; no humanity!
In this troubled time when the person elected to lead the nation has utterly failed the American people, we must come together in our own communities to address the racism and violence against people of color that has brought us to this critical juncture. Everyone, please, let’s contact our public officials, our community and state leaders. Contact our mayor, police chief, sheriff, city council, county officials and legislators. Ask them what they are doing to guarantee that a George Floyd murder will not happen here.
Then, let’s ask: What have I done today and will I do everyday until Nov. 3, to assure that this despicable person (Donald Trump) is defeated by a landslide on Election Day? What can I do to restore decency and effective leadership to the White House that we may pursue racial justice, equality and peace in our nation?
David Hadley
Crawfordsville
