Rage

Rage against the dying of the light.

For many of us right now, darkness embodies our feelings of this nation’s current state. We have seen a symbol of bombastic tyranny vindicated by our own peers, neighbors and fellow citizens. More upsetting than the racist rhetoric of Donald Trump, is their continued support of this hate filled man.

I cannot use any other description for this feeling other than powerlessness. It is like an immense wave has come crashing down sweeping this nation off of its feet and into a direction of regressive nationalistic imperialism.

That is why Dylan Thomas’s words feel so empowering; RAGE. Rage feels like the only response that is fitting right now. It is the obstinate rejection of hopelessness. The existential will to refuse what seems inevitable.

As millions march today, my voice and spirit joins with this sentiment. And please understand how this response is fitting and right. A man consumed with the narcissistic obsession to be great has openly inflamed this nation’s hatred and fear of immigrants and minorities. For far too many he is seen as this vicious vindication of white rage. His bombastic views on Muslim and Mexican immigration as well has his righteous crusade to enforce law and order in the “inner cities” is interpreted as a clear validation of white supremacy. As a nation, we watched this movement take hold in the ugliest fashion. We have seen “Hail emperor Trump.” We have seen Trump feed into this hate filled energy by encouraging violence at his rallies. We have seen the white supremacists give him their loyal endorsement. We have seen Trump vilify the entire religion of Islam by proposing a Muslim registry and Muslim ban on immigration. We have seen him profile the majority of Mexicans crossing the border as vicious predators. We have seem Trump feed into this aggressive hatred of Mexicans by building his campaign platform around an intimidating wall.

Trump is a marketer. He built his business using celebrity branding. He is completely aware of the brand he created for his campaign. And now that brand sits at the helm of America for the whole world to see.

There is a reason people are afraid. Do not dismiss it as a liberal attempt to manipulate the public’s perception of Trump. The whole world sees this. Only a minority of about 35% of this country actually believe that Trump does not represent a clear threat to civil rights. So as you waive your flag and tweet #ourpresident in the comfort of your privilege, remember that many of your fellow citizens have a very clear reason to be afraid.

But our fear will not let us go gentle into that good night. No, we will continue to rage with an unwavering unified voice. Like the civil rights heroes that went before us, we will take to the streets in protest. Our voices will shout till we are mute with exhaustion, and then we will continue to rage with the purest conviction that ALL men and women are created equal.

And you, my nation, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.