How Are We Doing This Again?

My musings over 45 vs 46

January 1, 2020

The question that's been haunting me for the last several days is, "How are we doing this again?" How is it possible that in the U.S., after witnessing the antics of an inept leader, there's still enough support to consider him for the presidency once more? People's choices baffle me, driving me to ponder deeply about the stark dissonance they create within me.

This introspection brings me back to my upbringing. Whether consciously or not, I was instilled with the belief that people are inherently good and well-meaning, that the world is a safe, wonderful place, and that I could achieve anything I desired in life. I was indoctrinated into the U.S. upper caste in other words.

The election of the 45th president was the final challenge these deep-seated beliefs. I still vividly recall the shock of realizing that a person with such apparent malevolence could gather enough support to be elected. It shattered my belief system, confronting me with a reality I couldn't ignore or rationalize away—a moral reckoning, indeed.

The aftermath was equally shocking. The disillusionment continued as friends, family, and mentors I respected aligned themselves with this figure, making me question my own sanity. How could these loving people, known for their kindness in other aspects of their lives, suddenly display such apathy or even cruelty? Each news cycle, I hoped for a revelation of the truth, only to see further entrenchment in deceitful narratives. It dawned on me that this leader merely exposed a worldview many held secretly: a perspective filled with greed, selfishness, and fear, deeply rooted in the U.S.'s historical caste system of white dominance.

Since the loss of his reelection, the rhetoric of fear has only intensified, with attacks on immigrants, DEI initiatives, women's rights, and more. This fearmongering is aimed at preserving the status quo, maintaining a narrative of uppercaste heroism and righteousness that is increasingly being questioned.

This brings us back to the current political battleground: old, white men contesting for leadership, clinging to a narrative of supremacy. But there's a growing awareness of the absurdity and injustice of this system, challenging the status quo.

The champion of the U.S. caste system and the embodiment of white fear has been 45, an orange man. Yet, the facade cannot hold forever and the fake tan will fade away. History and reality will prevail, as lies are unsustainable in the long run. Yet the old guard is resisting change.

Now, we are left with a critical question: will the dominant caste destroy everything rather than share it? History suggests they might try, as they have done before to maintain social hierarchies. However, it doesn’t have to be this way, change is possible. The caste system is being challenged and that scares the hell out of those at the top. We must continue to challenge the fallacy of superiority and work towards dismantling the caste system.

The resolve I've found, transforming the dissonance within me into harmony, lies in awareness, empathy, and action. We possess the power and even the responsibility to question, challenge, and change the narrative. Our goal should be to reject the caste system and construct a narrative that is inclusive, fair, and just for all. If others prefer to uphold a system of oppression, it saddens, angers, and sometimes paralyzes me, but I must proceed in the reality and manifestation of the dignity of all people. There is no other way that will stand the test of time.