Trump’s Victory – Heralded a “Thanksgiving” of Discontent

Succinctly, conventional history tells us that the first Thanksgiving was a celebration and “Thank you” held by “Pilgrims” for having “survived” that first cruel winter and, in so doing, hopefully, establish a colony separating them from, in their view, the vicissitudes of life in England.

Many of these “pilgrims” were called “Puritans” because of their desire and efforts to “purify” the “Church of England” from its theological “heresies” and who, sensing that it could not occur there, envisioned America as a “new opportunity” granted to them by “God”.

Let me be clear, I am not a religious historian; therefore, there may be some who may perhaps find fault with my introductory statement. So be it! It was written primarily as an “overview” and not offered as a historical “thesis.”

Given the “Thanksgiving Day” celebration and the growing angst and fury evident in so many Americans – white and Black – and the equally jubilant escalation of the political aggressive behavior of “some” of the triumphant supporters of Donald Trump – bordering on violent euphoria – prompted me to think of Frederick Douglass’ iconic question “What to the Negro is your Fourth of July? ”

My thoughts on Douglass compelled me then to ponder: Is It not an equally relevant question to ask: “What significance, if any, to political progressives (whites and Blacks) was “Thanksgiving 2016 ? ”

Future historians, I believe, may suggest that it signifies the physical survival of a political movement from a cruel and inglorious political winter but left it battered and bruised with many continuing to curse and flagellate themselves for having not foreseen the stormy voyage and choking in the celebratory chants and exhortations of Trump’s supporters who desired to restructure the ideological contours of the nation to fit their perceptions of what it should be—meaning, in their image, hue, socio-religious and economic values.

The chants that were heard – those future “historians” might suggest – signaled for many progressives the beginning of four years of national discontent and turmoil if not political implosion that left nothing to celebrate. They might also add that in the minds of the supporters of the President-elect it would be the start of the “purifying” process and the taking back of the nation which they proclaim was lost. In my view it would be an accurate interpretation!

This assessment notwithstanding, I would further suggest, would be incomplete if they failed to include the following perception – not as the primary cause for Trump’s victory but as a description of a strategic failure of many progressives – white and Black – an unwavering and intractable desire to be “politically pure” in their pursuit of victory. They viewed both Trump and Clinton as equal demons and opted to support neither one. Personally, my candidate of choice would have Bernie Sanders who, throughout the primary, articulated a broader but incomplete vision for the nation. Recognizing the distance to the goal posts I chose to “punt” and supported Hillary. Lamentably, the “Bernie or Bust” and many of my dear friends and with whom I argued, advocated “ write in “Reparations Now” are left to question their strategy. Still, In my view, their choice was NOT the primary cause of the catastrophic loss; rather it was the failure of too many progressives – white and black – and yes, alleged “liberals” to comprehend and internalize the very nature of the prevailing incisive sickness of systemic institutionalized racism – not prejudice – that has never been exorcised from the very sinews of white America. Thus, the oozing pus runneth over!

Some may argue that I exaggerate. “Hillary won the popular vote! What you describe is not the America I know and cherish” they may say. However, after all is said and done and his racist, misogynous, and Islamophobia statements Trump was elected President of the United States. ‘Nuff said!

It is said that “hope spring eternal” and those who fail to learn from history will make the same mistakes. I am cautiously hopeful that those who seek a just and egalitarian America will not so do; that we together, as one, will continue to organize and struggle to establish a new America one that liberates us all from the toxic stench of the past. Then and only then will we collectively and rightfully celebrate a day of “ THANKSGIVING”.