Thought for the Week
Donald Trump is being inaugurated on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is weightier than it sounds. Why? Because, while Mr. Trump professes to “Make America Great Again” largely by protecting us against others, Dr. King strove to make America great by including others. Unity rather than division, inclusion rather than exclusion, was on my heart when I wrote An Open Letter to President Trump eight years ago. And it still is. So I’ve updated and reprinted it here:
Dear President Trump,
I’ve tried so hard to figure out what I believe the United States and the rest of the world needs from you. I can’t find the perfect words, but what I do know is this: It’s not about policies, it’s about, as Dr. King said, “the content of our character.” I won’t presume to judge what’s inside of you, but I believe that, in the long run, a leader’s, and indeed a nation’s, character are more important than their policies.
You rode to office on a tide of fear and anger, and these can serve a purpose when they’re directed toward things, rather than people. So, please, cease to ridicule and strive to listen. Find the humility to admit when you’re wrong. Seek counsel from those with other perspectives. Model in yourself what is so desperately lacking in our culture: civility.
When a young man saunters across the street in front of my car, forcing me to slam on my brakes, never deigning to even glance in my direction, I worry. Not about his hostility, but about his indifference. Because differences can be resolved, but indifference can’t. Indifference doesn’t care. It refuses to acknowledge the rights or even the existence of the other.
I beg you not to be that person, sir, but instead to find the root of civility within you that says to the other, “You matter too.” You’re famous for admiring winners. Well, real winners don’t climb over others, they pull others up with them.
I began by saying I didn’t know what we need from you. I now realize this letter should have been about what you need from us. And so, you have my pledge, sir, to pray daily for your success in modeling and drawing out of the American people not just greater material success, but greater civility, greater understanding, greater inclusion…
Greater character.
MT
This is one of the most eloquent open letters I have ever read. I’m reminded of the Prayer For Our Country in Jewish prayerbooks that is recited on Shabbat services. I have always appreciated how this prayer with its call for blessings for the inhabitants, leaders, and advisors for peace, security, happiness, prosperity, and freedom feel apt regardless of who is in office.
Thank you, Dina, and good to meet you.
I Think Donald Trump Is a Insufferable Bully
Save your prayers and breath; he has his own agenda, and it only includes White Males or those who proclaim to be.
I Think Clownfish TV, JesterBell, The Critical Drinker, Midnight’s Edge are White supremacy
Afraid I don’t know who you’re talking about, Harper.
I Think Donald Trump will American Turning a into a Gilead
I Think Donald Trump carry around a Goat head at Mar-a-Lago Club
Sadly, his actions will only cause harm.
“First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”
-Martin Niemöller
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