kdmalloryWell….here we are. It’s a new year and a fascist is in the White House. Right now Americans—many of them—are saying “What are we going to do about it?” I would argue that Black women and men already did. We voted for Democracy and democratic norms. Some White, Hispanic, and other minority groups did too. And while those norms were not perfect, and there was much work to be done to ensure that all Americans had access to basic rights and civil liberties, we were on the right path. Our government infrastructure and institutions have been painstakingly built–brick by bloody brick—to achieve those ends. We voted for love not hate. We voted for a UNITED America where liberty and justice and the American Dream is within reach for all of us.
I’ve spoken to my White sisters about the election results. And before I get into it, I want to say I’m grateful for their candidness and support. But y’all, they’re mortified by the election results. They’re disgusted by the racist ideological patterns of thought that have subjugated Black and Brown people, gay and trans, women and Jews. They’re disgusted by these same limited patterns of thought that have brewed and erected (or resurrected if you think of this administration as a Hitler homecoming) a president with KKK familial roots. They’re disgusted by ICE raids dragging law abiding—albeit undocumented—people from their homes and work places. They’re disgusted by the fake ICE propaganda permeating the internet, boasting new arrests when in reality the arrests occurred during the Biden presidency or Trump’s first term in office. They’re disgusted that so many of their White brothers and sisters would rather hand over our country to a demagogue and a racist billionaire class rather than work toward a more inclusive future for all Americans. Hear me out on this Christians, Christian Nationalists, and Maga supporters: Billionaires will NEVER see you as one of them. They will always believe that you’re middle class because you deserve to be. Because you don’t work hard enough. Because you’d rather “spend stimulus checks on beer” rather than feed your families or pay your bills. The billionaire class will NEVER put tax cuts to good use. The Trickle Down Theory doesn’t work. Y’all, it’s not even biblical. The Bible says in Matthew 19:24 “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” What does that mean? It means that most of the time, rich people despise the poor. It means that most of the time rich people will choose to enrich themselves rather than help the poor, the widows, and the orphans. Just take a look at Exhibit A: Elon Musk. Trump credits Musk with single-handedly shaving off government jobs that will most certainly cripple USAID—a humanitarian relief organization. A workforce of 10 thousand reduced to a little more than 600. According to an NBC news report, Musk “boosted conspiracy theories about US AID” in order to help shut down the agency. The Washington Post says Musk donated $288 million dollars to Trump’s campaign. He donated his riches for the right, for the privilege to starve the poor. This isn’t just about hunger. USAID does so much more than feeding the poor. *This cut has eliminated dozens of programs, among them: Clinical trials to treat malaria in children under age 5 in Mozambique. An mRNA vaccine technology for H.I.V. in South Africa. A screen-and-treat method for cervical cancer in Malawi. Treatment for cholera in Bangladesh. Ways to support pregnant and breastfeeding women to reduce malnutrition in Jordan. This is disgraceful. This move by the Trump Administration perfectly illustrates Matthew 19:24. Christians, “Et tu, Brute?”
And this is only the beginning. Trump announced the United States should occupy Gaza–turning it into a “paradise.” Why? It certainly isn’t because he wants to help rebuild all the Palestinians lost. It certainly isn’t because he wants to help provide infrastructure—education and medical services—that the children so desperately need. It certainly isn’t because he wants to erase the scars of war and replace them with hope for a new future. Of course not. He wants to further displace the Palestinians, erase their history and connection to their land and eventually their mother tongue. This is what Nazi’s do. Hitler said the US provided his authoritarian regime with the blueprint on genocide. Trump’s desire to colonize Gaza would suggest he wants to further the work Netanyahu started.
Personally, I’m embarrassed of the America we are becoming. I’m embarrassed every time the fascist gets in front of a camera and says something idiotic and outrageously racist. I’m embarrassed every time his billionaire buddy Musk privately and publicly salutes Hitler—their evil god.
Sadly, it wasn’t just confused, angry, and racist White people who voted for Trump. According to the Associated Press, 47% of voters ages 18-29 supported this madman and whether they believe it or not, Project 2025. We could say that’s a problem for the Democrats. But it’s really a problem for America. And those in the above mentioned age group who plan on having children. Trump plans to decimate the Department of Education. That is NOT the answer. Oh, my dear Christians, Maga super supporters, and young people, don’t think Trump wants what you want. How many of your children are or will be educated in the public school system? After Trump dismantles the Dept of Ed, Republicans (and some Dems) will finally get their greedy little hands on the billions of dollars when education becomes privatized. Privatizing education means that if you can’t afford to pay for it, you can’t have it. Take a look at third world countries if you want to know what that looks like. Maybe y’all are thinking that private companies who will control education will keep White people in mind and make costs affordable for YOUR children. Look at what’s happened to our Higher Education system since colleges were allowed to become corporations. That ought to cure your delusions. And what about adults who don’t choose to further their education? We have to vote out lawmakers who join with lobbyists, agreeing to send tech and manufacturing jobs that don’t require college degrees overseas.
There is so much work to do. But I intend to do what I can to help change the course of our country. Because casting my vote for Harris wasn’t enough. Voting, in and of itself, never is. Christians, there is a Balm in Gilead. But we can’t be that agent of healing if our own hearts are infected with the rot of hatred and pride and self-righteousness and bitterness. We have to keep praying. We have to keep asking God to heal our hearts and show us His. We have to continually humble ourselves before God and admit our own hearts are desperately wicked.
For the next four years domestic terrorists will occupy the White House. That’s a fact. It really is going to require all hands on deck if we want to take our country back. And unlike the Maga terrorists and Christian Nationalists, I’m not talking about a return to the past where Black and Brown people and women and gay and trans and Jews are marginalized and disenfranchised. I’m talking about moving forward and putting in the hard work necessary to build “a more perfect union.” The children, our children, that are yet to be born deserve that.
We will resist. Because it’s true when they say united we stand or divided we fall.
Be blessed y’all.
*Credit to The Reid Out for USAID information about abandoned USAID programs.