Author: On the other hand

Shortly after the election a very thoughtful friend had reached a breaking point. After carefully studying the campaigns she concluded that sexism was at the heart of the constant harangue of HRC’s personality, face, voice, and ambition. My friend is a feminist, and she was angry.

“You’d better look out,” she warned, “I’m coming after the patriarchy.” That was fine with me. But, as she roused her determination and her fury she went a step further: “I’m coming after you men!”   As she continued I could feel a defensive anger rising in myself, and warned back, “I am on your side on this issue, but if you keep attacking me as a man you’re going to lose me as an ally.” Continue reading “Love the Sinner”

Democrats are still incredulous that intelligent, good hearted people could have voted for Donald Trump. They believe the foundational values of American society and our commitments to each other as citizens are being trashed. Many believe that Democracy itself is threatened. Unlike in previous recent elections when apocalyptic fears quickly faded, news of Trump’s cabinet appointments and his corruption of presidential powers to advance personal business interests are intensifying worry that worst-case scenarios are real possibilities. My earlier concern that Mr. Trump’s careless ways would be normalized into American governance is giving way to a growing sense of resistance and readiness on the Left to fight for what they see as the survival of democracy and the soul of the nation.

Meanwhile, two thirds of Trump voters reportedly said they believed this election would be “the last chance to stop America’s decline.” They voted to upend American politics and now are saying “We won, get over it!” Continue reading “One month later (Civil war?)”

At a dinner party with old friends recently, we were speculating about the influence of racism on the election outcome. One of the group, a light skinned naturalized citizen of Indian descent, was asked if he identified as white. Continue reading “Who is American?”

Political analysts are telling us we are a nation divided, that the political map has been redrawn, and that old assumptions about political identity and partisan preferences no longer apply. If that’s true, and even if it’s not, this seems like an important time to ask, what do we Americans agree on? On what, if anything, do we stand united? Continue reading “Three weeks later (United we stand…)”

As we watch the jumble of reports on plans for a Trump presidency, it’s hard to know whose opinions reliably predict future actions. With an unfocused president-elect and an eager but changing Republican Party, who will be calling what shots? Will they really move troops into the streets to deport millions of Mexican immigrants, repeal Dodd-Frank—the only protection from another greed fueled financial collapse, impose a registry for Muslims as the Third Reich did for Jews, withdraw from the Paris Agreement when carbon threatens massive social displacement and the health of the planet, or eliminate Medicare along with Obamacare, reducing coverage and raising costs for millions of the most vulnerable Americans? Continue reading “Ten days later (This isn’t normal!)”

The jury is trickling in and the verdict isn’t looking good. People being named for key administration positions so far sound angry and authoritarian and are lacking relevant experience. His chief of political strategist is a self-avowed white supremacist. People with foreign policy and national security experience are reported to be turning away, describing the transition team as “angry,” “screaming,” and “unhinged.”

Mr. Trump also is refusing to separate himself from his vast business interests the way presidents, judges, and other high policy level public servants do. Apparently he’s not worried about conflicts of interest, which makes sense if his primary interest is marketing his brand and making money, and not taking the role and responsibilities of the presidency seriously. Continue reading “Day seven”

On the Morning After the election, my mediator/problem solver instincts kicked in to appreciate the values and motives behind Trump voters. That’s what I do, back up and work for a balanced perspective. It’s where a mediator goes to find common ground and ways forward. Days later, however, I find myself more worried, not less. Continue reading “Day three”

I feel a shock wave rippling through the country, and the world. An eerie silence has descended around me following last night’s election of Donald Trump. People at work are walking around each other without speaking, I assume because they don’t know what to say, because they don’t know what to think. His election started off as a protest and ended up a revolution, a rebellion. The order has been undone and no one is sure where we go from here. And when I say no one, I doubt even the Donald—President-Elect Trump knows.

Continue reading “The morning after”