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It looks like Donald Trump is the Republican presidential candidate. Now the Republican Party is deciding to go “all in” on supporting Trump, the Wall, banning Muslims from entering the country, mass immigration deportations and his nativist (some say racist) viewpoints. Is the Republican Party willing to push further away from including people of color in the party? Clearly they are no longer the party of Lincoln. Reagan couldn’t even get elected in today’s political climate.
Time magazine recently had an article about how White Nationalist and White Supremacist organizations are using Trump’s rhetoric and candidacy to recruit and promote their agendas. So far it is working, memberships are growing and their websites are spiking. One white supremacist group paid for pro-Trump robocalls in six primary and caucus states. Trump has not denounced these groups and has actually encouraged them.
Republican and Independent voters must now decide if they want to support the Trump campaign’s xenophobic, misogynist, nativist, hate and fear platform ideas that may go against their ideals or Christian beliefs. I am sure that they are looking deep within their hearts and wondering if I vote for Trump does that mean I am a bigot or racist. To allay those fears, I have created a small guide on understanding the nature of being a bigot or racist and voting for a man such as Donald Trump.
- If you believe that “White Privilege” does not exist you are probably not a racist or bigot, just in denial.
- If you believe that Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who endorsed Trump, is the greatest thing for Arizona since the creation of white bread, you are definitely a bigot but not necessarily a racist. If you are eating white bread, switch to whole grain, it is healthier for you. If you live in Maricopa County it is time to switch to a new Sheriff.
- If you believe that President Barack Obama is a Muslim and was not born in the United States, yes, you are definitely ignorant, a bigot and maybe a racist.
- If you believe that President Obama is the Anti-Christ, God have mercy on your bigoted soul. If you are praying that Trump becomes President so are ISIS and Al Quaeda.
- If you believe in the “Trump Wall”, that it will stop all the Mexicans from entering the country illegally, stop illegal drugs and be paid for by the Mexican government, you have bought into one of Trump’s many lies. You not only look foolish but are probably a nativist, a bigot and there’s a good chance you have racist tendencies.
- If you are afraid of what will happen when whites become the minority in the United States don’t worry be happy! Oh, wait that’s me. Welcome to the Club my light skinned brethren. You have nothing to fear. While you worry about the brown horde that is crossing the border, the real minority that we all should be fearful of is the 1% of the filthy rich that buy our politicians, control much of the media and laugh at our fear all the way to the bank and their offshore tax havens!
- If you are a Republican or Independent of Mexican descent and believe in the great wall of Trump and “Operation Wetback”, look up the words internalized racism. I have been down this road before from being chastised in well spoken English by a Mexican policeman for not speaking fluent Spanish to being called a coconut by a friend at work. Most of you know what that means. By the way, the Mexican police officer let me go with a warning for speeding.
In November before you cast your vote for Donald Trump ask yourself is he really going to make America great again? Is an America where the government can discriminate against one’s religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and the color of one’s skin the America I now believe in? Do I believe in building walls instead of bridges between people, torturing prisoners of war, killing women and children because they are the family of terrorists, all Muslims are evil, Mexicans are rapists and criminals and that hate triumphs over love? Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. If you do not feel even a small twinge of shame knowing you will vote for Trump and all that he stands for, then you know what you are. Just don’t get offended when I call you a RepubliKlan.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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