This election has brought about the worst in all of us. As opinions differ, tempers flare and many things are said that can't be taken back. I've seen one too many friendships ended over politics this year and further, one too many violent acts.
With President Trump's inauguration on Friday came many protests throughout the world to demonstrate much of America's non-support for his impending four years in office. Let me just say, I'm with that non-support. I have little hope for the future of this country, assuming Trump's election act wasn't just a giant ruse. However, many of my fellow non-supporters have represented their cause in the worst way possible and I am beyond proud to be able to say my city could teach them a little lesson.
When ABC News described protests in Washington D.C. on Inauguration Day, the negative far overshadowed the positive. They reported protest groups had "damaged vehicles, destroyed the property of multiple businesses and ignited small, isolated fires." Police vehicles were among some of the property that was destroyed.
The New York Times said, "protesters threw rocks and bricks at the police, smashed car windows and lit trash cans on fire." Windows in many shop windows including Bank of America and Starbucks were destroyed. One woman was even reported to have said, "Police officers are Trump supporters."
Wait a minute. All police officers are Trump supporters? How is that any different than Mr. Trump saying immigrants are criminals and drug addicts -- one of the very things being protested? There are officers of all political views, races, ethnicities, genders and walks of life -- all of which, I can guarantee, were working together Friday all over the country in an attempt to keep the streets safe. Who they voted for is not only between themselves and the voting booth but also has zero to do with their integrity, ethics or value as human beings.
The far left sure spends a lot of time speaking about inclusion and acceptance of differing opinions until someone disagrees with their opinion. The problem is, destroying someone else's property, destroying your city, targeting Trump supporters, it doesn't accomplish anything.
Rational people don't respond to violence. Compassionate people, people who are truly passionate about making a change for their cause, don't create violence to further their agenda. The people who are going to change this world aren't going to be the ones who harm their fellow citizen in order to teach the elite a lesson. The people who are going to change this world positively can only do so with positivity. They will perform protests respectively -- something the wonderful people of Kansas City demonstrated was possible last Friday.
A diverse group of Kansas Citians gathered at the Liberty Memorial and marched the three miles to City Hall in order to demonstrate their refusal to support Donald Trump as the President of the United States. Many of their signs were similar to those displayed in D.C. Their chants were just as defiant, claiming, "Not My President." Some protestors even marched in all black, carrying a casket, to represent a funeral for America. They were angry, angry about the election results and Trump's general demeanor throughout his campaign. They were terrified, terrified of what the future of our country holds. A reporter at the Kansas City Star even describedmany protestors pausing to speak to law enforcement, not to berate them or blame them for the downfall of our country, but to thank them for their service and protection. These men, women and children who were so deeply disturbed by the trajectory of our country's politics were still able to provide respect and compassion to those who are consistently portrayed to be against them.
Yes, that's a balloon Trump Baby.
The Kansas City protestors also marched on *gasp* the sidewalk, instead of in the middle of the street. They were able to complete their march, assert their position on our new president and still get media attention, all while other regular people who weren't participating in the protest continued with their everyday lives. Employees were still able to get to lunch, parents were still able to reach their children and emergency vehicles were still able to safely and quickly make it to their destination. Any necessary travel throughout the city was still possible. Those who marched in Kansas City this past weekend did so peacefully, respectfully and with dignity -- something many other cities around the country could learn a little something from.
At the end of the day, Mr. Trump is now President Trump and unless you have moved out of the country and switched your citizenship within the last week, he is your president. A local Kansas Citian, Blake Pool, explained it the best way I've seen thus far,
"Wishing Trump to fail is like hoping your bus driver crashes just because you don't like him/her. If he fails, the American people fail. Like it or not he's our president, let's pray, hope, and support the good things he does so hopefully it will influence him to do more good things."
This cycle of disrespect towards our country's president from the opposite side can end with us. That doesn't mean end your fight for what you think is right or accept any form of discrimination. It just means, above all else, remain respectful. Lead by example and act in the very way you're wishing President Trump would towards those that are different from him. Peaceful, respectful protests send a far different message than violent ones and, therefore, can make a profoundly bigger impact.
