Many Americans have expressed their astonishment at the political success that Donald Trump has had in the current presidential election, culminating in his attainment of the Republican nomination. When searching for answers as to how such a thing could have ever happened in America, one of the most common conclusions is that Trump cleverly manages to take advantage of the deep-rooted fear that exists in our country today. Trump's supporters flock to him because he promises strength, prosperity, and safety for the U.S. His followers are scared, and with good reason. The American Dream has effectively been shattered with the rise of globalization. Jobs are being outsourced and young Americans are facing the reality of an uncertain future filled with student loans following their college graduation. America has made many enemies as a result of unwanted interventions across the globe. For Trump's supporters, reality is looking especially bleak as the US continues to become a more diverse and generally liberal--at least in terms of social issues--nation. The era of the white male's dominance in American society is coming to an end, so it makes sense that this group would flock to one of their kind in an effort to salvage their position of power no matter what it takes. The irrational blaming of outsiders--from LGBT individuals to Muslims to "biased" Hispanic judges--is easily explained because it reflects the fear that has overtaken a large portion of the American population.
It is this same fear that resulted in June 12th's Orlando Massacre. While the gun rights vs. gun control debate rages on, a different perspective on the terrible events which took place at the popular Orlando club, Pulse. Regardless of your personal opinion about guns, at least 50 people have been killed and that fact is something that needs to be acknowledged and mourned regardless of your political affiliation. It's not inconsequential that this crime took place at an LGBT club, just like it's not inconsequential that in 2013 one Musab Masmari set fire to a Seattle gay nightclub or that last fall there were a series of unsolved attacks against gay men in Dallas. Gay marriage may be legal in the US, but America still has a long way to go in terms of gay rights. The Orlando gunman who caused this tragedy is now thought to have committed the act as a result of homophobia, not ISIS as many media sources have jumped to conclude.
Donald Trump's self-congratulatory tweet (see below) displays the exact opposite of the attitude Americans need to take. It's fear and hatred that caused this shooting, and limiting immigration from the Middle East is just another symptom of the fear that has overwhelmed so many Americans. Fearing our neighbors will only alienate us from them and create the kind of deep-seeded misunderstandings that have already hurt so many.
