I have friends who backed President Trump--they accepted his hateful, damaging, untruthful, self-serving behavior mosly because they listened to multiple media channels that propped up Trump propaganda. Reacting to the fear they felt as they listened to one Trump-created threat after another, they felt that they had to support Trump's unethical, hateful, dangerous, destructive behavior in order to secure what they held dear which was mostly their relatively small investments and opportunity for their family members.
So while I disagree vehemently with their support of President Trump, I still acknowledge that these people have done a lot of good in life--they care for friends, family members, and neighbors, they volunteer in the community, and they act in lawful ways. These are not fancy, greedy, or selfish people, but instead everyday people living their lives, enjoying some pleasures, and doing what they believe is right and good.
How do we help people like this recognize the danger that Trump terror, hate, and conspiracy bring to our country? How can we help them to see that they can enjoy their good, relatively simple lives while working to uplift lives all over the country? What can we do?
For me, I plan to let actions speak with these people. I don't plan to engage in conversations about this issue with them, but instead let our conversations focus on the good possible--good for people throughout the community, good for our lands, and good for our future. I'm not going to talk about threats of Trump terror with them, instead I'll continue to advocate for authorities to investigate this thoroughly and hold those guilty accountable.
I believe that the vast majority of Trump followers are good people in their families and community. I think that many have not made the time to study and research the issues or think deeply about opportunity and humanity for all. I think many of these people are ruled by fear rather than dreams, and many are stuck in dangerous, outdated bigotry and hate rather than the realization that when we respect and uplift our diversity, we are all stronger and better.
So, going forward, my will for a better USA lies in what I do more than what I say--it lies in the way I treat people, spend my money, and spend my days. That will be the best way to encourage others to work with me for a better USA, not a USA that supports self-serving terrorists like the Trump team.