I’ll give you one thing, your sentiments are contagious.
Ever since you began campaigning, your emotions have swept up a lot of Americans who feel neglected, wronged and ignored. You’ve spoken in tones of anger and frustration that have definitely fallen on like-minded ears.
But, what about the anger that resonates with people who oppose you?
Whenever I read a new article about you, my stomach churns with the disgust you’ve directed at your self-designated ‘others.' When you’re on the TV screen, I feel the fury that so often distorts your face. When someone agrees with an empty claim that you’ve made, I too feel the inability to conjure up logic in my response to what you said.
Your campaign of negativity is the last thing this country needs. You know how pervasive racial tension is; you are aware of the stigmas, hate crimes, threats and injustices are toward people of all backgrounds. Racism and sexism are not simply historical events, yet your flippant response to the complexity of these structures shows that you might not understand how heated these issues are.
The United States is a hotbed of disagreement. More than ever, our country is feeling the tender boundaries of old wounds that won’t seem to heal. You, Mr. Trump, are encouraging an atmosphere of increased tension and conflict.
You represent regression, not growth. Your anger, which is not entirely unfounded, is archaic and immature, particularly for an adult vying for a really influential position--that is, if you realize just how important the position is.
Brokering deals with other nations and mending race relations are a bit more sensitive than realty and reality shows; war lords, political activists and wronged citizens aren’t going to bend to your ‘powerful’ will just because you expect them to. Our country needs a communicator and mediator. So far, you’ve only shown a penchant for striking people down.
Is your verbal attack of others really necessary? “Crooked Hillary” gets more of your attention than your explanations (actually, you never really explain your big ideas) and your VP combined. You have built a campaign largely on the grounds of mutual distrust, hatred and fear. Your speeches outline very little of how you’ll actually accomplish anything if you win the race, but leave little to the imagination concerning your flamboyant loathing of almost everyone other than yourself.
Last month, your ghost writer for your top-selling book, “The Art of the Deal,” colored a very telling and gruesome image of who you are. He explained that you don’t care what’s being said about you, as long as something’s published. I ask you, how will this help a country grow? If you, a person notoriously interested in any coverage, are disliked by a nation, group or individual, will you listen?
I wager that you won’t. Our country is loudly proclaiming its disappointment and anger; the violence is not without its intent and consequences. The protests are not idle gatherings meant to be ignored. Yet that’s what you’ve done. You have not offered sympathy to all, compassion to others, an audience to the many plights of Americans or hope for a more harmonious future.
If you’re not listening now when you’re supposed to put on your best show, what will you become if you actually win?