Resisting Mr. Trump
by Elouise
Civil Rights March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama (1965)
What is the content of my character? The question haunts me. I’m in the golden to fading-golden years of my life. Until early this year, all my ducks (as many as I could herd) seemed to be lining up in a neat row, with plans and documents in fairly good order.
The appearance of Mr. Trump on the overtly political stage distressed me in 2016. Today it horrifies me that he’s still there.
This isn’t about who wins the next election. It isn’t even about Covid-19. It’s about resistance and the content of our character.
Mr. Trump doesn’t seem to lose sleep over the content of his character.
I wonder about myself.
Do I understand true resistance?
And what is the content of my character right now?
For decades I minimized the circumstances of my childhood. I thought that if I got on with my life as an adult, the baggage of the past would gradually fade away.
That didn’t happen. It never does. I had to resist openly. I had to open my mouth, and say what I needed to say to the people who most needed to hear from me–my parents. Which I did on the eve of my 50th birthday.
I grew up under the strict, sometimes harsh tutelage of a father who contantly reminded me that he was in control, and I was not. But power is never a sign of ‘rightness’ or even (as in my ordained father’s case) ‘righteousness.’
When I look back at my internal resistance to my father’s heavy-handed methods of control, I wonder how I did it. Stubborn? Yes. I was stubborn–though not in the way my father thought I was.
Instead, I learned to embody stubborn resistance in the face of overwhelming odds. Sometimes it worked to my advantage. Overall, however, it did not. My body paid a high price.
It would not be fair or true to say my father and Mr. Trump were cut from the same cloth. Still, there are obvious overlaps, including unhealthy narcissism. The kind that tries to eradicate healthy narcissism in others.
It doesn’t matter whether Mr. Trump wins the next election or not. He has already wreaked havoc here in the USA and abroad. It won’t do for me to hold my nose and wait for November.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 25 May 2020
Photo of 1965 March from Selma to Birmingham, Alabama found at americanyawp.com
I have nothing to add to that Elouise. Well-said
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Elouise I voted for Trump and will again. I have never met you in person but I know in my heart you are a good person. I want to give you some un asked for advice that I try to adhere to. I always remember that God is in control of things not us or a man or woman. Not my will but his will be done. As you said in another of your post. To much wasted energy. Why be moved by this world. Vote the way you need to and be done with it. It’s still in God’s hands.
Blessings and peace to you Tom
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Hi, Tom.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I agree. God is in control. We are not. At the same time, God’s will is that we serve our neighbors, no matter what their political persuasions, religious choices, color, immigrant status, former history, etc.
My latest piece, “It feels so good,” is about how to use my time and energy before and after the election. Whatever happens in November will happen, one way or another. And God as seen in the life of Jesus Christ will STILL be my True North. That means this isn’t about winning anything. It’s about dying sooner or later.
Given growing limitations on my time and energy, how will I spend my time? Caring for myself and those I named above has nothing to do with following a political figure. At the same time, our airwaves and news outlets are besotted with this election. So how will I spend my time? I could just sit in front of the TV and rant, rave, applaud, rejoice, groan, or shout back. But that doesn’t necessarily get me out there doing what I’m committed to doing at home, or on the streets of my neighborhood.
Blessings and peace right back to you, Tom. 🙂
Elouise
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I know you will spend it wisely. I will pray for discernment and cy for you Elouise that you path will be clear and full of God’s great love. I appreciate you so much. I am slow to respond because I have had issues with my new site. My comment and likes are not going through. I think I got it fixed. I switched to Firefox. Rejoice and be glad for this is a day God has made.
Tom
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And for Firefox! 💜💕😊🙏🏻
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Yes and for Firefox lol.
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interesting post! please check out my recent post regarding one of trumps recent actions!
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Thanks, Maddie. I’ll give it a look.
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Thank you!
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