For Dogs and Men

     This current presidential election cycle has been a demoralizing blow to our country. It has been divisive and toxic. Personally, I have been unsure how to vote and discouraged and fearful over my options. Recently, I had an experience that taught me about hope in the face of a storm. 

For Dogs

     My community was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew. In its wake my family has been volunteering with our church group to help with the clean-up of flooded homes and fallen trees. While working, my volunteer crew came upon an abandoned dog in the woods. He was chained to a tree, without shelter, food, or water. His body was a thin layer of skin, stretched like cellophane across his bones. Brownish red scabs held the chain on his neck in place where it had rubbed his flesh raw. The carabiner clipped on the chain had somehow pierced all the way through his throat, like a huge earing, where it was rusted in place. I called animal control and the humane society, but the shelters were full beyond capacity and he’d only be put down if we brought him in.

     That’s how he got a ride in my car to an emergency vet clinic, where they cut the chains from around his neck and he began his long road to recovery. A few days and several hundred dollars later, he has a warm bed in my home. We hope that when he is healthy and ready, he’ll find the forever home he deserves. Until then, we will love him and do our part in his story. 

     Financially, it’s been a rough year for my family. I knew we couldn’t afford the vet bills for a very sick and abandoned dog, but when I saw him, that didn’t matter. We are a busy family, already struggling to meet all the demands on our time. It didn’t matter. Space is limited and we have a house full of kids and pets, but again, that didn’t matter. Doing what is right is often not the easy or most pragmatic path. It’s a leap of faith and an act of hope and courage. For my family, taking on this dog was not a practical choice. It was an ethical one. 

And Men

     In the current political climate, many of us feel trapped by the unappealing candidates of the two mainstream parties. As the discussion of third party candidates becomes more common, there is a frequent counter-narrative to that option. The complaint is that people do not want to throw their vote away by supporting a third party candidate because they “know they can’t win”. To many of us, it seems too much of a longshot. Using your vote for an underdog just doesn’t seem practical. 

     We seem to have arrived at a place in our culture where it doesn’t matter how much we agree with an unconventional candidate on policy and principle. We will not vote our conscience out of fear that someone we abhor will beat someone we loathe. Fear of what we don’t want is a stronger motivator than actively pursuing what we do want. Strangely, we have begun to go against our own advice to our children and we are following the herd off the cliff simply "because everyone else is doing it". 

     I believe that the inevitability of one of the two main candidates winning only exists because we say it does. I choose to not give it that power. It is more important to make an ethical vote than it is to make a practical vote. Will my candidate win? Statistically, there is a very small chance of that happening. It doesn’t matter. Voting for what and who I believe in is a privilege and responsibility. 

     The wolves are snapping at the heels of anyone who dares to veer away from the stampede off that political cliff. They will snarl, 

     “But if you don’t vote the party line then THAT other candidate will win! You are a traitor. Don’t you know it’s hopeless? Join the real world.” 

     Too long our country has been hungry for a better way. We want real representation. Neglectful and corrupt leaders have done immeasurable harm to our nation. This election cycle has undeniably uncovered the failures of a system that has held our country captive to the idea that the political parties rule instead of the voice of the people. I will not be chained to that narrative. I will vote for the individual who I believe will be a moral leader who recommends policies that represent me. That is the definition of democracy. Win or lose, my voice will be counted with those who did not bow to corruption. It may be an impractical vote, but it is definitely an ethical vote. 

     In way of an epilogue, I will return to my new furry friend. When I shared my story of the abandoned dog on social media, friends and strangers alike stepped up and volunteered to pay medical bills and offer care. I was blown away at the generosity of my community. People from all over the country, and even other countries, came together to do what was right for this dog. I took the leap and put him in my car knowing it wasn’t realistic in my circumstances to help that poor pup, but others immediately reached out to support life and hope. 

     When one of us is willing to speak up, it gives validation and momentum to others. Who knows what will happen if we decide to step forward and be the one to act. Hope is contagious. I believe this is true both for dogs and men.

Burning In The Wake

 

Henry Ford said, “Don't find fault, find a remedy.”

The office of the President of the United States of America must be filled by an individual who can create peace through the art and skill of diplomacy. 

In any presidency there will be conflict. In every presidency there will be the possibility, and perhaps necessity, for war. The one who dares to apply for this position must be immediately prepared to shoulder that reality. There will undoubtedly be moments of unrest, both politically, culturally and perhaps physically in every generation. Those who wish to be at the helm must be capable in those moments to understand the nuances of those conflicts, and most especially to be proficient in resolving them in the most pragmatic ways. 

Today our country is seeing turmoil in the political rallies, and ensuing protests, of Donald Trump. In Chicago, protesters and Trump supporters collided in the thousands and while the rally was canceled, the conflict remains unresolved. 

In virtually every city where Mr. Trump speaks, we see these clashes: Saint Lewis, MS , Fayetteville, NC , Miami, FL , Richmond, VA , just to name a few.


Chicago Protests at Trump Rally - March 2016
 
Altercation at Trump Rally in Virginia - Oct 2015

The division is spreading faster and faster through our Nation. Some of this animosity was created solely by Trump himself, some he has encouraged, but some of these divisions existed before his time. He did not make all these problems…but can he help fix them? 

If he wants to be the President of the United States he cannot continue to defer or reject the responsibility of this moment. The buck must stop here. 

Today is his moment to try to lead. 

We are each responsible for our own choices, as are the protesters and the Trumpeters, but a leader takes responsibility for people other than themselves. They shoulder the questions, needs, and problems of the many. If he wants to be our Commander-in-Chief, then he must lead today, not AFTER he has been given the title. He must earn the job. He must prove he is worthy. He must demonstrate he is fit for the calling. Only results are evidence of effectiveness. There can be no excuses or blaming others.

This is his moment. 

Convince me Donald Trump. 

Convince me you can sue for peace. Show me, now and today, that when foreign nations rise in anger and frustration with us, or each other, that you can handle the responsibility of a mediator. I promise you Mr. Trump that when those challenges arise that they will be much more demanding than those that are happening on your campaign trail today. Can you create treaties out of wisdom, compassion, justice and the sheer force-of-will for peace? 

Earn your way to the top with an undeniable performance of skill. 

These are defining opportunities.  Systems are being tested and fracturing. These are great days of change and possibilities.  

There are those who only serve to deconstruct and demolish. Donald Trump can certainly bull doze. He has proven he can challenge the status quo with his unexpected rise, with his angry rhetoric and unconventional methods. He has rattled this nation and stirred our fires. He has shocked and shaken this country.

But can he offer solutions? Can he unify a city? A political party? A nation? A world? We have to consider this carefully, because up to this moment his only 'leadership' has been to leave our country burning in his wake.

The President is the president of not just the political party of those to whom he or she belongs, but the president of all Americans. A President must effectively work with those who disagree with them, with those who are not their loyalists. They must represent us all and answer to us all. They must be willing to do what is best, not for just those to whom they affiliate with, but for all people. They must speak to the dissenter as well as the proponent. 

If he is volunteering for the toughest job, then he cannot shirk this problem. Will he say, “It is not me. It is not mine.” Or will he stand and claim it, and resolve it? The mantle of responsibility must be assumed with all its weight by those who seek the privilege to wear it. 

Mr. Trump, can you unite people? Because you have applied for the job. You are in the middle of a skills demonstration interview and we are watching.

  

Where I Will Stand

As the woman walked by me waving her Trump sign, she yelled, 

“Y’all are stupid! Go Trump!” 

I stepped forward with my hand extended and she noticeably flinched backwards as I did. I called to her, 

“I respect you. Don’t worry, I respect you. You are politically active and I think that is what is important. We are both just trying to be patriots by standing up for what we believe.” 

It was then that she hesitantly took my still-outstretched hand. 

“I believe I am a patriot.” She said, “I belong to the Daughters of the Revolution and my family goes way back.” 

I responded, “I think that is wonderful. We may not agree politically, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get along.” 

We talked and then this good woman thanked me, smiled, and waved as she walked away. 

When I had learned that Donald Trump was coming to my town of Fayetteville NC, I immediately began organizing a demonstration to voice my disagreement with him and his platform. I feel strongly that his policies are either without substance or would be harmful to our Nation. Ultimately, I feel that his character and language are not dignified, and someone so deliberately hateful and abrasive should not represent us all as President. I feel these things so strongly that I stepped out of my comfort zone to stand up for what I believed, publically. I chose to get involved. 

Through social media, I reached out to a few like-minded individuals and received a permit to protest through the County. I worked with the Sheriff’s Department and the Coliseum complex management to learn what they needed from me and my group. 

I set forward rules for our protest; 

Be Safe, Obey the Law, Be Respectful, No Weapons, No Vulgarity. 

Our group was small, but as the day for the protest grew close, several other groups asked to stand with us since I had obtained a permit. I agreed, inasmuch as they followed our guidelines. 

Yesterday, we stood by the parking lot entrance and held our hand written signs, waved, and smiled. Many people waved back, a few flipped us off or shouted rude things, to which we responded with peace signs, or yelling back, 

“But we love YOU!” 

My friend Blanca would always say, 

“Enjoy the rally! Have a nice night!” All in all, I felt very positive.

As the afternoon rolled on, more people joined us from the alternate groups. Some chanted, “White, black, red, brown…We don’t want Trump in our town.” And although chanting isn’t my favorite technique, I figured it was relatively benign.

Later, we moved closer to the Coliseum where there was foot traffic. I met others on both sides of the political spectrum. 

I want to mention my new friend Mr. Stinson, an avid Trump supporter. He is also a Vietnam Veteran and when I saw his hat and tell-tale leather vest, I had to talk to him. 

Never miss a chance to thank a Vet. 

At first, he wouldn’t shake my hand because I was a protester, but when I told him I just wanted to thank him for his service, he humbly smiled and told me that the real heroes were the ones who never came home. My husband and I talked with him for almost half an hour, hearing his stories of war and Southern politics. When he learned my husband was active duty military, he reached for his hand to thank him in return.

Police officers were all around, walking, chatting with each other, and observing. Like bored life guards, they were relaxed but keenly attentive, scanning both crowds. I thanked several of them for doing their difficult job. I asked a few if they were tired and if their feet hurt. They would laugh and confirm yes, to both. 

It had gotten dark and individuals who had gone inside the rally and had been kicked out by Trump were starting to join the line of protesters. The rally would be ending soon and I had small children waiting at home who needed to be put to bed on a school night. Most of my friends had either left, or were leaving with me. It was time to go. 

By the time I got home, things at the Coliseum had escalated. I walked into the house to see videos of lines of police officers separating angry, chanting protesters from screaming Trump supporters, inflamed from the rally. (Can I just say that our law enforcement don’t get paid enough?!) 

I was so disappointed. 

I believe in good, better and best methods. At first, these images made me reflect if protest was the best way to get my message across. I wondered if it only served to solidify the views of others by hardening their determination when faced with resistance, even when they are only lukewarm in their resolutions. Perhaps, I was wrong. Maybe yesterday, I was only working against myself.

On the other hand, I could see people soften and change when I talked to them. Actually, I think it was when I listened that they opened to me. It was their own voice that made them receptive, not mine. But my voice was there too! and I hope that my presence mattered and that it helped. I hope my actions last night honored my beliefs and my community.

I was there partially because I believe that Trump exemplifies intolerance and hate in his behavior. How could I protest that by using those same methods? I believe in being the change I want to see. I believe in diplomacy. 

But diplomacy broke down last night. 

Honestly, I can see fault on both sides, even the side that I am on. I can see that we need to choose not only a good way to protest, but the best way to protest. 

To be clear, I know that we cannot negotiate with much of the extreme radicalism coming from the Trump movement, and instead must stand, courageous and immovable, in the face of it. But we must never sacrifice our principles through any thoughtless instigation. 

I obviously believe that politics does not have to divide us, and to confront each other does not mean we have to contend with each other. It is important that people who believe in temperance and peace always show up. 

This is what I know: education, peaceful discourse, and compromise can be keys that unlock our political differences. If any of those are missing then progress cannot be made. I believe that protest has a place in that formula. I implore both sides to reach out… and choose what is best.