Most Democrats right now are in some combination of shock, anger, horror, disgust, denial, outrage, etc. over what happened last night. There’s been a lot written today expressing people’s feelings, including one by a superb Democratic activist who talked about how they’re torn between “fleeing the country, going off the grid, and digging in for 2025.” Personally, I’m questioning whether my activism makes a difference, or at least enough of a difference, to be worth the time and energy. In the end, though, I guess I come down on the side of “digging in” and not “checking out,” because if we don’t fight back, that will simply allow Trump and his merry band of extremists to do whatever the hell they want – namely, hurting the most vulnerable in our society. And that’s simply not acceptable.
Anyway, one post I saw today – from VA Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke (bolding added by me for emphasis) – really jumped out at me as hitting the nail on the head. That includes her comments about the WILD double standard applied to Trump and Harris, respectively (“Her every word, syllable, expression or move was pounced on, dissected, or torn apart. Trump could denigrate, ridicule, lie about people; undermine, say and/or do hateful, racist, misogynistic things, and go unchecked and unchallenged.”), her 100% justified slamming of the corporate media and the Supreme Court (“Owners of newspapers caved and said to hell with a free press. SCOTUS said to hell with the law and the constitution, and gave him free rein. Sadly, millions bought the lie.”), as well as her defiant last paragraph:
“Let’s be sad for a minute, but get to work against this reign of terror. I’ll be damned if I allow anyone to treat me as ‘other.'”
Great stuff. Thanks to Sen. Locke for posting this!
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“Allow me this moment to vent. I have been in my feelings all day trying to make sense of the outcome of yesterday’s election. It has been clear from the time VP Harris’ name surfaced as the potential Democratic nominee she was held to a different and higher standard than the rogue Republican nominee who hijacked that party nearly 10 years ago. Her every word, syllable, expression or move was pounced on, dissected, or torn apart. Trump could denigrate, ridicule, lie about people; undermine, say and/or do hateful, racist, misogynistic things, and go unchecked and unchallenged. His fearmongering caused other Republicans to cower in fear, kowtow to his antics, and explain away his immoral behavior as if it was normal. Owners of newspapers caved and said to hell with a free press. SCOTUS said to hell with the law and the constitution, and gave him free rein. Sadly, millions bought the lie. The reality check will come when Project 2025 and Agenda 47 comes to their community. Back in 2016 a pastor friend explained Trump’s election in the context of being a Barrabas moment.
In each of the four Gospels of the New Testament, it is revealed that a Passover custom was to commute a prisoner’s death sentence by popular approval. When offered the choice of Barrabas or Jesus, the crowd insisted that Pilate release Barrabas. This Pastor said that Trump’s election in 2016 was a Barrabas moment; a moment in time when there was clearly an error in judgment; the crowd made the wrong choice. Once again we are faced with a Barrabas moment. However, in a democracy, we are free to make choices, While yesterday was not the outcome I wanted, I recognize that this Barrabas moment has negative consequences for people who look like me. It means this bad choice, clears the field for open racism, sexism and misogyny for those who are considered ‘other.’ The hope, however, is also found in the Gospels: resurrection and redemption. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Let’s be sad for a minute, but get to work against this reign of terror. I’ll be damned if I allow anyone to treat me as ‘other.'”
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