That question comes with numerous assumptions. Those who
support “The Donald” are hoping to “Make America Great Again”. They crave for
the days when black and white television reflected the type of separation that
kept people on opposite ends of the tracks. Being great was summed up as
keeping black people removed from the American Dream.
Where are black people in “Leave it to Beaver”?
Great meant limiting leadership to white men who assumed
credibility based on their ability to define the dream. The attainment of the
dream was quantified by the type of country club status that influenced who
deserved a seat at the table.
Greatness was life before words like inclusion and diversity
established the terms for an equal playing field. It was before policies
influenced by affirmative action sought to undo centuries of systemic racism
and male domination. Great was about not giving a damn about how people outside
white/male command felt about laws used to enforce subjugation.
While some desire to “Make America Great Again,” far too
many have been denied the full benefits of greatness. It’s why some refuse to
stand during the singing of the National Anthem. It’s why some scream “Black
Lives Matter”. It’s why masses of people wanted to “Occupy Wall Street.” It’s
also why people in Flint, Michigan demand clean water and women continue to
request the right to decide what happens to their bodies.
Greatness is a subjective term. It depends on the background
and culture of the person in question. The same applies to sanity. Like greatness,
sanity is in the eyes of the beholder.
Will America ever be sane again?
Well, America has never been same. We are a nation defined
by a thread of insane actions. Albert Einstein said “insane is doing the same
things over and over again and expecting different results”. If nothing else,
America is a nation defined best by an ability to overcome insane actions.
In America, stupid is what stupid does. It’s who we are. It’s
what we do.
It’s what we consistently overcome.
This election exposes the vastness of America’s diversity. Diversity
is more than a way to describe unlike races, religions, gender identities and
cultures. Diversity is about political ideologies and agendas. It’s about moral
positions and opinions.
This is Democracy at its best. Democracy is about people
yelling at one another because of their passion. It’s about believing in
something enough to show up at rallies to endorse a candidate. It’s about yelling at the top of your voice
regarding the lame ways of the people who oppose your views. It’s also about
believing the world will come to an end if your candidate loses. For me, it means checking for discount
tickets to get out of the country if Trump defeats Clinton.
It’s the big dint in democracy that makes it hit and miss.
When you win, it feels good. When you lose, head for the hills because the
Apocalypse is coming soon.
Face it. We are an imperfect nation prone to do stupid
things. Insanity is what we do – over and over again. We may never be great in
the way some people think, but it is our grappling with imperfection, and plugging
holes in the dam, that makes becoming great a possibility.
Will America ever be sane again?
Nope. We have never been sane.
It’s the insanity of our process that makes America great.
How else can you explain a system of government that places its trust on a
bunch of insane people?
It’s not greatness I seek.
I prefer a life of freedom.
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