Today, millions of women and men march around the world in support of women's right and to counter the hateful rhetoric spewed from Donald Trump's mouth during his campaign. My cousin's daughter attended one of these marches and wrote a beautiful essay about her experience. I am sharing her essay below (with her permission of course). Nathalie, I cannot be more proud! Here it is:
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Friday, January 20, 2017
Musings about Trump's Inauguration
I didn't watch the inauguration. Forget for a moment that it was airing early morning on Kauai -- I had no desire to make the time to witness Trump being sworn in as our 45th President. Sour grapes? Maybe. But mostly, he has already diminished the prestige of the Office of the President before being sworn in with all his antics, Twitter wars, sexist comments and the like. And while that is not to say that all presidents have been "prestigious" and statesmanlike, it's just such a stark contrast going from a genuinely kind, thoughtful and well-spoken family man of a president (President Obama if that wasn't obvious), to this narcissistic, inconsistent, unready buffoon.
Trump enters the White House as a President with the lowest approval rating at the start of his presidency, according to NBC News. Many Republicans I have communicated with don't like him. Perhaps you too have read the articles that there were more permits issued for tour buses to park at the National Mall for protesters than for those who were to attend his inauguration.
Let's be real: he is going to have a tough time earning the respect of the American people. His legitimacy as president will be diminished by the millions of people who stand up to defend their rights through collective protest and civil disobedience. Trump has no one to blame for this reaction than himself, since he had polarized the public against him with his embarrassing gaffs and offensive behavior.
Also, his election is thanks to the antiquated Electoral College, something he previously described as a "distaster for a democracy."
Trump had repeatedly said he would push for a constitutional amendment to implement Congressional term limits. While a worthy cause, Trump should advocate for a constitutional amendment to end the Electoral College! While you might say such a move might delegitimize his presidency, I think it is fair to say that many already see his election as illegitimate. Pushing to end the Electoral College might be the olive branch we need to bring real reform to the system, gain respect from both his supporters and detractors and put his money where is mouth is.
What are your thoughts?
Trump enters the White House as a President with the lowest approval rating at the start of his presidency, according to NBC News. Many Republicans I have communicated with don't like him. Perhaps you too have read the articles that there were more permits issued for tour buses to park at the National Mall for protesters than for those who were to attend his inauguration.
Let's be real: he is going to have a tough time earning the respect of the American people. His legitimacy as president will be diminished by the millions of people who stand up to defend their rights through collective protest and civil disobedience. Trump has no one to blame for this reaction than himself, since he had polarized the public against him with his embarrassing gaffs and offensive behavior.
Also, his election is thanks to the antiquated Electoral College, something he previously described as a "distaster for a democracy."
The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012
Trump had repeatedly said he would push for a constitutional amendment to implement Congressional term limits. While a worthy cause, Trump should advocate for a constitutional amendment to end the Electoral College! While you might say such a move might delegitimize his presidency, I think it is fair to say that many already see his election as illegitimate. Pushing to end the Electoral College might be the olive branch we need to bring real reform to the system, gain respect from both his supporters and detractors and put his money where is mouth is.
What are your thoughts?
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