Reacting to Trump: Guardian Members on his first destabilising actions
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Version 0 of 1. Reflecting on Trump’s first week as president I feel both resigned and a little afraid. Resigned because these kinds of hate-filled anti-Muslim policies are being voiced by many rightwing politicians on both sides of the Atlantic. It was only a matter of time before they entered the mainstream. Afraid because as a practising Muslim I already daily feel guilty for the atrocities committed by terrorists in the name of my religion. Now I have to accept that people of my faith will be penalised simply for being Muslims. What other discrimination will we face? We are going to have to prove ourselves innocent, whether we have committed a crime or not.Nabeela Shah Trump’s election strategy was based on misrepresentation of the facts about the US and promises of simple solutions to complex problems. With his appointments to his cabinet, it is apparent that he intends to pursue a policy likely to disappoint his supporters other than the most wealthy. In international terms, his isolationism is likely to harm world trade and cause increasing international divisions. It appears that a period of severe economic difficulties and civic dissent lies ahead, exacerbated in the UK by the divisions caused by the Brexit vote. In these circumstances, I’m glad to be 78 but fear for my children and grandchildren’s futures.Prof Anthony Seaton Trump’s approach is an absolute gift to the United States’ enemies. It’s not about fighting fire with fire. It’s about not fighting fire with petrol.Donald Simpson I am the great-granddaughter of a couple who died in Treblinka. The travel ban stirs my anxiety in a way that no other news has in my life. I feel the way Muslims are being treated is very similar to the way Jews were first identified as responsible for the ills in Germany before the war. It is a leadership strategy to unite people around a common enemy so that they give you authority to take other action that increases your power. At the age of 13, my mother was woken at 2am by a loud knocking at the door. Men with guns belonging to Hitler’s private army invaded her house, broke glasses, poured wine on the floor. My grandfather, who was given an Iron Cross in the first world war for bravery, fetched it and waved it in front of them. He was arrested but fortunately a few days later allowed to emigrate, which is why I am here. I can’t help thinking this is the start of a similar process.Anna Wright As I’ve watched his presidency unfold, I’ve been increasingly horrified by the wilful blindness of some of my friends who voted for Trump, who are now refusing to accept a word against him or his escalating radicalism. It is not leftwing, “liberal” media they are characterising as liars. It is everyone and every outlet that doesn’t whitewash Trump’s policies and actions. Even when prominent Republicans (finally!) declare his actions unconstitutional or wrong, my friends do not hear them, or they dismiss them out of hand. If anything, I find this more disturbing and frightening than the fact that Trump is in the White House.Anne-Marie Byrne As an American and British dual citizen, the last six months have been tough to take. As a Jew, the last few days have been even harder. The reminders of the refugees of the 1930s have been too often found outside of Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations. Although my entire family still lives in America, and I have many contacts there, I know no one who voted for Trump. So I don’t know whether many Americans thought they were voting for something other than xenophobia and racism. Hannah Budnitz The media is saturated with all things re Trump’s travel ban – and rightly so, though I don’t quite understand the surprise, as he has been proclaiming his intention for a long time. But for me his statements and actions on climate change are more significant. There is no shelter or hiding place from climate change. And four, or even eight years of Trump could delay needed actions beyond a decisive tipping point. No going back then.Christian Nialki Trump has received the support of a large number of people. They are the same people we see stirred all over Europe by politicians such as Le Pen, Wilders etc. A lot of the views he expresses have been there all along, but have now become salonfähig (fashionable), so it would be good to leave the howls of indignation and look as deeply as possible into the sources of discontent of Trump’s electorate. Equally: progressive people have to ask themselves from where all the outpouring of hatred against liberal lifestyles, the neo-nationalism, all the regression, isolationism and protectionism spring. If ever in our generation there was a time to shape up, this is it. To leave our comfort zones, practise what we preach, live the alternative. Godelieve van Heteren Pre-Trump, while I voted to remain, I nonetheless respected the vote to leave, and felt that to somehow overrule it – by having another referendum say, or a general election on the same issue – would cause anger and division more harmful to the UK than respecting the result. With the election of Trump my position has completely changed. The need to replace the EU, a perfectly good trading partner, with new global trade deals has left the UK pandering to a borderline fascist president with no respect for the rule of law, because we can’t afford not to. I genuinely believe that if we now went back to the electorate with the same Brexit question, we would have a completely different result.JoJo Stephens Some Guardian Members are turning to protests and marches as an expression of their concern. Here some of them reflect on their recent experiences. I’m shocked. I’m saddened. I’m dismayed. I’m hoping for a short four years (or shorter?) and not a hateful eight. I’m a global citizen – yes, I’m proud to own that label – so Trump’s determination to stamp on basic rights and freedoms scares me. The indecent travel ban, the outrageous signing away of women’s reproductive rights, the aggressive denial of his country’s responsibility to tackle climate change, threats to destabilise Nato, idiotic diktats to suppress free speech and a free press … and we’re less than a month into his regime. What more is to come? I fear that our protests and marches will have little effect – but what else do we have? Carole Scott What can we ordinary people do? We can hold our representatives to account - for their views and the stances they take. We should not settle for a quiet life and argue our point even when we are in a minority (indeed especially then). We can protest in person and in large groups not against a person but against inhumane and bigoted policies. Where we can, we can work to help those who are damaged by Trump’s policies - the Dutch and Canadians have taken a clear lead here as have those who have supported the beaches of Greece and the camps of Calais.Andy Vicars I marched for the first time in 30 years at the Women’s March because I am so aghast at Trump’s policies and personality and the effect they will have on the world. My teenage daughters marched too, a first for both of them.Charlie Dunn I am especially horrified with regard to Theresa May cosying up to Trump. Just on my way home from an anti May-Trump demo in Brighton, the first demo I have attended, and I’m in my 60s.Maggie Rumble We should continue to show solidarity with those Americans who have bravely stood up to this abuse of power by demonstrating, speaking out and signing petitions to show we will not tolerate our own government kowtowing to this intimidating and malevolent force. History has shown us that by doing nothing, evil runs unchecked. More than ever, this is a time for good people to be brave and stand together.Susan Pool It is every bit as bad as we feared. But great also to see good people on the march; I have been to two demonstrations in my home city, never having demonstrated about anything before. Much encouraged by the huge range of people present. We must keep on fighting. Anne Dyas I’ve just donated to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is going to have massive legal costs as it contests Trump’s actions. And the ACLU website says it took $24m (£19m) in donations over the last weekend – so there are many Americans and others around the world who are determined to resist the inhuman agenda of the Trump administration.Roger Matthews Having attended a rapidly organised demo in York against Trump’s travel ban, I am heartened by the large number of people who turned out and the strong solidarity that was expressed with refugees and migrants the world over. There was also strong opposition voiced to racism and other forms of bigotry and a recognition that this is not just “America’s problem”. All countries have their own histories of shame in this regard. And all countries have to take a position with respect to Trump’s policies.Merran Toerien Why did so many women march in protest? My own 15-year-old daughter was scornful and slightly embarrassed as I knitted my pink pussy hat, asking “Who is going to take notice of you?” But as my friends and I marched and chanted, as we laughed with new friends at witty placards, and felt the interest and support of many onlookers, a sense of agency emerged. The frightening and depressing political change we have witnessed in the last six months, climaxing in the inauguration of a sexist and racist US president, had left us feeling marginalised, powerless and helpless. The Global Women’s March changed that. I am busy knitting more pussy hats to meet a growing number of requests from friends, and, most importantly, from my less scornful, less embarrassed and now politically engaged daughter.Julia Meaton I joined the Women’s March in London and was struck by the number of different causes that it united. I don’t think I’ve been on a protest that engaged such a variety of important issues that people feel so strongly about – feminism, racism, climate change, sexuality and more. Little did I think that within days a series of executive orders would see people rallying again – against Trump, against May and against the world-changing implications their behaviour represents. I’m proud of the strong reactions across the world that show how strongly we feel; maybe we needed something this dreadful to pull us out of our political paralysis. Jackie Lynch |