Donald Trump Shames America

Who would have thought that a proud nation of immigrants coming from the four corners of the globe, including those fleeing religious persecution and decedents of enslaved Africans would be so profoundly shamed by a man who could be the nation's next President.

To many, Donald Trump began his Republican Presidential Election campaign as a bit of a joke; an extreme caricature of an outlandish billionaire who could say the most outrageous things precisely because no one would take him serious. But as the weeks have gone by not only has he become even more brazen to offend, belittle and abuse, the gay community, women, Mexicans, Black people and now Muslims, but a great sway of America like it. As a result his popularity seems to get stronger not weaker with every disturbing pronouncement.

Last week America was once again the victim of a terrorist attack which killed 14 people and injured many more. Trump response was not an ‘off the cuff’ remark but a carefully crafted policy statement arguing that if he where the US President he would ban all Muslims from across the globe entering the USA.

His statement in effect says we cannot trust any Muslim to enter the USA. Equally implicit in that statement would also mean that American citizens mustn’t trust fellow American Muslims living there.

Not since the end of US slavery in 1865, after the American Civil war has racial and religious hatred become main stream.

What America, and in particular the Republicans do now will be closely watched across the globe. The USA is not a nation that can easily be dismissed. It is arguably the most powerful country-economically and militarily- in the world, therefore, to have this spectre of hatred mainstreamed not only damages the prestige of the USA, but it will also fuel rise to more global extremism in the name of Islam.

Donald Trump shamed America; it is now for America to cut loose this man who in a very short space of time has gone from a joke, to a very dangerous political ideologue.

Simon Woolley