Senators Lankford and Scott, Here is the Better Solution, For Every Day
Reference Article: The Hill, "GOP senators renew effort to bridge US racial divide with 'Solution Sundays,'" Olivia Beavers, October 10, 2017, 11:10 PM EDT
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/354851-gop-senators-continue-push-to-bridge-us-racial-divide-in-new-video/?amp=1
Two Republican Senators, James Lankford (white) of Oklahoma and Tim Scott (black) of South Carolina, released a video suggesting a grassroots movement to begin breaking down racial divides in America by encouraging families to invite a family of a different race to share a meal. Speaking from different locations as the video cuts between them, both acknowledge their suggestion as a starting point. Perhaps some Republicans share their concerns, and will listen. Perhaps some conservatives do see their serious problems, from top to base, on the issue of racial division. Truthfully, the Senators' idea is a good one.
It is just that there is a much bigger and more powerful way to address racial divides in America. Join the Democratic Party.
Anyone who wants to consider solutions for America's issues of racial barriers and division, go beyond watching this video by a pair of Republicans. When you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. When you are an inadequate part of the solution and on the wrong side of it, you are still part of the problem, regardless of whether your personal beliefs are blameless.
Look at footage or pictures from Trump's campaign rallies, before or after inauguration. You will see a black man. He is the odd man consistently and conspicuously behind Trump's elbow. This man calls himself "Michael the Black Man," and you can find more about him by searching "black man at trump rallies" online. If you accidentally type "men," as in plural, the search will find "man," and bring up many articles about Michael. Finding another face that is not white is like a high-difficulty game of finding Waldo.
Now look at footage or pictures of Democratic rallies, or look at images from liberal protests on any issue where diverse people who share values come together, drawn into solidarity by what they care about in this country, and what they hope to resolve. If you are interested in solutions for racial division, join our crowd. If this issue bothers you, or if another--any other--issue stemming from prejudice or bigotry bothers you, and you are a conservative, you are on the wrong side on these issues. Join us.
Republican and conservative clustered bigotry is no secret. Of course they are not all bigots. But put into perspective Senator Lankford's encouragement for people to try--to begin--to start to "engage each other." Lankford has said that on these issues, Trump's "rhetoric is not artful." Referring to Trump's active efforts to divide America into 'other'-based antagonisms by using such extreme understatement risks credibility on the topic of racial divides in this country. Tim Scott met with Trump after Charlottesville to speak powerfully about racial issues, but to no avail.
Resident Trump has used flashpoint politics to divide America along every pressure point of gender, sexuality, race, religion, country of origin, state of residence, wealth, education, rural or urban lifestyles --to name just some of his efforts. These efforts by Trump bear an interesting similarity to reports of Russian pro-Trump interference, which pressed Putin's thumb firmly on America's sorest spots by buying and spreading online pro-Trump racist messaging. These efforts by the Russians and by Resident Trump show a clear collaboration of purpose: To damage America and the way that we as Americans have defined our values during the course of our painful history. When you vote Republican, you are standing with them, and you are a collaborator endorsing their efforts.
We Democrats are together in all the diversity we celebrate and engage to protect, and we hold it as a core value to keep working against those who oppose a respectful equality of opportunities for all. So yes, "do something." Go ahead and share a meal. But to really push back against divisive behavior and efforts, join the Democratic Party, and vote. Become part of everyday work towards solutions with Democrats: all of us together, who wanted to be stronger together. We are working every day with people who want to heal rather than foment America's divisions.
