Choose your lines in the sand

November 14, 2016

This is an open letter to everyone in America, but especially to anyone who thinks a Trump administration might not be as bad as it seems. So, mostly straight white guys, and a few straight white women.

If there is one ray of hope in Trump’s election, it’s that he’s untrustworthy. He’s the type of man who would say anything to “win,” and now that he’s won, there’s no guarantee he’ll follow through on his heinous promises. He’s already off the rails from Republican orthodoxy in many ways, and he could continue to defy them—and many of his followers will come along. He could end up, possibly inadvertently, using his newfound power for good. Republican presidents can always go to the left easier than Democrats can (& same for the reverse), because the opposition will see their shift for what it is while at least some of their allies will come along to avoid defying their president.

Of course, there’s little hope of this in regards to racial issues, nor voting rights, gender issues, or LGBTQ ones. He might not screw up the economy, though. Maybe.

To my (straight, white, male) friends who are hoping he’s liar enough to be a sub-catastrophic president, here’s my advice to you: choose your lines in the sand now. Decide on the actions which, if Trump and Pence and Ryan and McConnell and Roberts cross that line, that is your breaking point. Maybe it’s the repeal of Obamacare, or the registration of Muslims, or the end of the filibuster, or the further gutting of voting rights. It might be right now. Pick your lines in the sand—I suggest having multiple, for there are many ways an administration can go—and then watch.

I’m serious. Pick them right now. Before this week is out, pick your lines in the sand, and decide how you will act if they’re crossed. Evil takes hold in the same way as success—slowly, and then all at once. Every movie star or hit technology is a ten-year overnight success, and every vile regime is the sum total of a thousand shuffling steps toward darkness. If you don’t decide now when you will act, and how you will act, the world will sneak up on you—and soon, you’ll have nothing left to fight for.

You don’t have to act yet if your line hasn’t been crossed. So far what’s been exchanged is words, and while words are undeniably dangerous, more dangerous than most people respect—see the violence and bigotry being perpetuated in Trump’s name against Americans all over the country right now—but actions are worse. You can hold out hope for a while, if that’s what you need, but prepare yourself now.

I have begun to act, and I’m deciding on my further lines in the sand. Do likewise. Even if you voted for him, do likewise—because if he comes for the immigrants, and the Muslims, and liberals who speak out against him, he might one day come for you too. With a man like Trump, be vigilant. Even if he’s your man, be vigilant. We should always hold politicians accountable, but this man most of all. He threatens us all.