Too many Americans (mostly Trump supporters) toss around the term “woke” as a pejorative way to label people not in their political tribe. They try to disparage people with different views on racial and social issues by referring to them as “woke,” implying that their views are far left and abhorrent. The “woke” accusation has just become another ruthless weapon in the far-right’s political arsenal aimed again at “owning the libs.” Many far-right extremists also use the term, “groomer” to describe people they view as “woke.” The clear and ugly implication is that anyone who supports diversity and acceptance of gays or transgender people or anyone who stands up against the bullying of gays or transgender people is somehow either a pedophile, a promiscuous corruptor/recruiter of young straight people, or an enabler.
Nothing could be further from the truth. That is why it was so refreshing to see and hear State Senator Mallory McMorrow of Michigan recently take on this spiritual ugliness. Instead of ignoring the insults and retreating from the culture war battles, she spoke out honestly, sincerely, and defiantly. She confronted this political bullying head on without hesitation or fear of political consequences. She spoke from her heart in a way that could reach millions of decent Americans who’ve become sick of this mean, divisive rhetoric and deplorable politics.
Many Trump/Republican voters claim to be evangelical Christians. I think it is long past time for many of them to begin asking themselves why they are deliberately ignoring the message of the Gospels. Jesus wanted people to love one another. He opened his arms to all people. He was inclusive, not divisive. In today’s GOP, Jesus probably would be attacked for being “woke” and/or a “socialist.”
Most Americans, whether they are Christian, from other religious faiths, or not religious at all, want all people to be treated with kindness and respect. Too many people on the right are now willing to view marginalized people (gays, transgenders, immigrants, and people of color) as less human and the people who defend them as “woke.” I was once a Republican, but I am no longer. The ugly divisive policies and rhetoric are two of the primary reasons that I left the party. I would much rather be awakened to the harmful effects of discrimination as opposed to asleep, in denial, or quite frankly in favor of discrimination that affects millions of Americans. Our nation has until recently been a beacon of hope for all people. We need to recapture the “best” in our hearts, not give in to the “worst.” We must continue to promote voting rights, end ugly discrimination on racial and LBTQ grounds, and begin to place ourselves in other people’s shoes.
The GOP voting, white nationalist Christians are afraid that they are a dying demographics in America and are seemingly lashing out at all opportunities to preserve their legacies. Well guess what? America is a democratic nation founded on immigrants. And it’s demographics are changing — get on board of get off the train.
I agree with your points. Except for native Americans, we are all the progeny of immigrants. It seems that too many GOP voters are oblivious to this fact.
The United States benefits from immigration, both economically and culturally. Not all, but too many, GOP voters have this sense of white entitlement. They need to accept this new dynamic country made up of people of different races, religions, sexual orientations, and political viewpoints, They need to accept the idea of true democracy and end their stubborn attachment to authoritarianism and a society governed by white resentment. They should be willing to compete for votes based on competence, not based on thinly disguised racial appeals, lies and misinformation.