Some people take their hatred of Trump a bit too far by delving into conspiracy theories, I'll certainly admit that. But honestly, what is the appropriate response to someone like Trump? Is it actually possible for people on the left to communicate our frustration in a way that doesn't anger the right? This is not merely a matter of disappointment over someone on the "red team" winning, but outrage and fear over someone who we view as dangerously unfit to be Commander in Chief.
I don't think it's completely fair to compare the negative reaction and opposition to Trump to the reaction to Obama from the right. Obama did not run the same kind of campaign Trump ran. He did not win under the same circumstances as Trump. Even setting policies aside, he is simply not the same kind of person as Trump. Yes, the reaction on the left is partially due the probability of a more conservative agenda being pushed. However, it's definitely more than that, and I'm not talking about Russia. To those of us on the left, Trump embodies some of the most destructive traits of humanity. He's narcissistic. He's childish. He has no self restraint. He lies constantly. He does regularly "speak his mind", but there are times when it's really not appropriate to say the first thing that pops into your head, especially when you're going to be the POTUS.
Many Democrats and liberals have voiced their dissent through peaceful protests. Many have brought up specific policy issues which we are concerned about. Many have spoken candidly about their fear for what will happen to their friends who are immigrants or are Muslim. And yet, even in these cases, where people are more diplomatic, they're often dismissed as being "sore losers" who need to stop complaining and "give Trump a chance." I'm convinced that for many people, any form of dissent is unacceptable. Even when we try to be polite and diplomatic when speaking about someone who doesn't seem to believe in such ideas as politeness and diplomacy, we're called hypocrites, since we didn't like how Republicans reacted to Obama. (Not all forms of dissent are the same, mind you)
So again, I ask, what is the appropriate way to voice dissent over someone who we believe will take the country backwards?
When I was an undergraduate, I took a general education writing class in which I had to read a book comprised of unhinged feminist criticisms of science (Mammals are only called mammals because Carl Linnaeus was obsessed with breasts!! etc.). My professor, who was an admitted far lefty but one who was adamant about not marking people down for disagreeing with him, assigned us an essay critiquing the book. I, a budding young conservative, took up the challenge with relish to pen a scathing evisceration of the author in my essay. When I got it back graded, my professor did not argue with my claims, but instead pointed out that while I called out the author for relentlessly impugning the motives of her opponents,
I did the same thing as her. I was so utterly disarmed that his response has stuck with me to today.
I think that story has a lesson in it too for the anti-Trump left. We all have bogeymen in whom we can see no good. Yet, it remains incredibly important to maintain perspective and keep our criticisms constrained to testifying to the wrong, not deciding the boogeyman is so bad that any hammer is good enough to beat him with. Often when no one is listening to me, I have to recognize that my problem is something other than a need to stand on a bigger chair, grab a bigger megaphone, and yell louder. There are some situations where a more forceful opinion is a more convincing one, but there are also many where a more forceful opinion is playing into your opponent's hands.
Trump's rise to power is built on exaggerated, unhinged, and misplaced criticism, which ended up backfiring on those given it. Take the Russia hysteria for example: suddenly it seems like close to 40% of the country is clamoring for a war with Russia; it has a feeling almost reminiscent of the lead up to the invasion of Iraq in its sentiment. But it's also lacking in perspective. Iraq was not then the threat that fear made it and Russia is not now.
Yes, peaceful protest is also part of why the left looks horrible. You have every right to protest. I have every right to walk around Library Mall tomorrow with printed copies of pictures of aborted fetuses. It would help me express my frustration for the reality that abortion is still legal. Yet, in both cases doing so is detrimental to the respective causes. There is something about American culture that reacts in disgust to outspoken campaigning for a cause.
Now, I am not accusing you of Trump Derangement Syndrome; your criticism was measured and worthy of response. You, despite contributing respectful discourse will still be lumped by your opponents in the same vein as the apocalyptic folks. Political enemies tend to do that. My advice would be to again respectfully disagree with and ignore them. One day their ten minutes of national narrative will have expired and your points of legitimate criticism will remain. Some of us have been living in the world of trying to give measured respectful discourse and met with hysterical screaming masses for most of the last decade. If you maintain a firmly held genuine conviction with an honest intent to seek what is good for others, you will be vindicated in the end.
