Hello from Main Street in the only incorporated “town” in Pennsylvania,
My head is whirling and my brain seems to be stuck in overdrive. Across the street from my little space I can hear people protesting the events of the last week. I hear cars honking their horns in support. The world seems to be in a Groundhog Day sort of repeat from about 6 years ago. The overreach that occurred in Minneapolis has, appropriately, struck a nerve. Why do I believe there is overreach? The scope of action allowed by ICE according to Federal law for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and what they have been doing are not even closely aligned (at least that is what my research on Government web pages and sites like the ACLU seem to tell me). This jeopardizes not only their legitimate actions, but anything they do. It also endangers anyone they encounter, as the past week so tragically demonstrated.
Over the last few days, in spite of my propensity to love debate, the give and take to come to consensus, and the need for that conversation (Democracy is messy as President Obama said), I cannot wrap my head around the polarized response to what happened in Minneapolis this past week. Events that have been shown from every angle seem to be interpreted in a manner that is a 180 on steroids. The attempt to legitimize the actions of ICE agents’ actions, in spite of what Government web pages or on the other side, the ACLU notes, is stunning and demonstrates how far we have slid into a sense of autocracy that boggles my head. The argument that they can wear masks, pick people up off the street and deport them without due process, or they can employ actions that demonstrate tactics similar to 1930s Germany (and my dissertation is about that time) is frightening, and if it isn’t I am more fearful. I am honestly searching both the reality of what a reasonable answer to our current situation is as well as doing some research to determine what it means to peacefully resist. At least in my opinion, the administration does not want peaceful protest, and I might go as far as to say they are deliberately trying to get people to respond in a manner they can argue for insurrection or Marshall Law. I honestly believe that is what is happening, and falling into that trap will not only lead to more difficulty, but will keep the country from accomplishing anything for the good of the people. Martin Luther King Jr. one noted, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. The beauty of nonviolence is that in its own way and in its own time it seeks to break the chain reaction of evil” (King, Where, 62–63). Seldom to I believe that people are genuinely evil, but I believe that is what we might be facing in a President at the moment. That is a terrible statement, and one that I am not pleased to feel appropriate or necessary, but that is where I believe we are.
As many are aware, I wrote my dissertation about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, doing a rhetorical analysis of his interrogation before the Gestapo, and examining carefully the letter he wrote to his co-conspirators, reflecting on 10 years under Hitler as Chancellor and the consequences of that for Germany. I spent hours, days, week, and months studying Germany under the rise of Hitler’s politics. The events of this past week, and certainly since President Trump was re-elected are much more akin to 1930s Germany than many want to admit or are willing to consider. The past week has pushed me to the limit in what I am willing to accept, stomach, or endure without a response. I am no longer willing to turn my head. Again, I am reminded of the words of another Lutheran pastor at that time, Martin Niemöller. He was also incarcerated by the Nazis. He is credited with the following statement: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” If there was ever a time to revisit this in our country, it is now. My increasing level of discomfort with what is happening on a daily basis has me rejecting any statements that believe there is even a modicum of decency in the Executive Branch of the Government or the puppets of the DHS. That push has struck a nerve with some people, including some I love deeply. Any alignment with the MAGA worshippers is for me an almost non-starter. Comments of Nazi obsession or some admonishment that I should merely adopt some NVP positive thinking and it will all be okay are not who I am, and perhaps not who I ever was. I am not generally a rock the boat person, and even now with my incredible level of consternation, I still want to respond in a peaceful and legal manner. But what exactly does it mean to be peaceful in such a tenuous time? Even Thomas Jefferson in a letter to James Madison in 1787 wrote, “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and it is necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.” And of course, James McHenry, the Maryland delegate to the Constitutional convention heard and wrote the following about Benjamin Franklin. “A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy – A republic replied the Doctor if you can keep it.” The struggle has always been part of who we are, and the question between States’ Rights and Federalism has been part of that. The role of the presidency and the person occupying the office has always been something to consider, and the imperialism that seems to define the second Trump administration is not unique to him. James Polk initiated a war with Mexico by annexing Texas; Andrew Johnson was impeached for firing his Secretary of War and demanding fealty much like President Trump has; Chester Arthur used the political machine that had made him Vice President (he became President when Garfield was assassinated. Arthur would turn on those who once supported him. And last, and this is a bit of a surprise perhaps, he is more akin to Ronald Reagan that some might believe. Their innate ability to sculpt headlines on one hand as well as their willingness to delegate, and thus insulate themselves from responsibility is quite similar (Desjardins). The President that President Trump wishes to compare himself to, that being Andrew Jackson, the President he is much more likely to find parallels is Millard Fillmore. President was seriously anti-immigrant (though it was Germans and Irish Catholics); he was from New York, believed and espoused conspiracy theories, and ironically, appointed his daughter to a key White House role (Sheerin, 2018, BBC). That was in 1850, the decade that would lead to the Civil War .
So to return to my title, what is peaceful protest? What is civil disobedience and what is reasonable in terms of being arrested? What are the consequences of nonviolence when it seems the other side prefers agitation and violence? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in 1966, “…I am convinced that for practical as well as moral reasons, nonviolence offers the only road to freedom for my people. In violent warfare, one must be prepared to face ruthlessly the fact that there will be casualties by the thousands…” There is little doubt he was correct, not only then but now. Whistles, parked cars, drums, and chanting is not violence, though it is annoying. But it is legal (with some questions perhaps about the cars). It is true that when streets and thoroughfares are blocked there is grey area, but when the travesty of government action requires such a response, the reality of events like Selma or Birmingham are to be expected. Vilifying the other is nothing new in this country, as noted above, but the use of the Government to attempt to intimidate, to destroy any sense of civility by the use of 1,000s of masked agents, and focus on places that are not supportive of the present administration should not, and cannot, go unquestioned. Merely treated like it’s another day. The America, the Republic, the society that was fought for by veterans throughout our 250 year history is in the crosshairs of this President, who enriches himself at the expense of the country and in spite of what the 70,000,000 million who were somehow duped into believing he cared about them.
I will continue to write; I will stand at the Court House; I will speak out clearly and forcefully again the tyrannical regime that believes they can renew a sort of imperialism that threatens our allies; a reign that believes invading another country to remove a bad person (I will agree on that part) for its oil is acceptable without Congress’s involvement; an ultra-authority that works tirelessly to eliminate those with the courage to disagree with their actions; a duly elected, but immoral rule who increasingly demonstrates no regard for the Constitution, any rule of law, and seems to have even a shred of human decency. I will do it peacefully, legally, and forcefully, and let whatever happens to me happen. Why? Because as a Marine Veteran, I love this country, and I served it faithfully. As a former pastor, I believe in a God that says we should always love our neighbor (and that is all of them). I stand, not out of hate for those who seem bent on destroying this country and what it has stood for, but out of love for a world that has such potential to be better. And yet, do not question my love and kindness for weakness, for what I bring to this fight is an incredible love and passion for what is fair and decent. Peace is powerful; decency is always correct; and resisting evil is necessary! It’s time to dance and not regret the dance, wherever it takes me.
Thank you for reading and please stay safe.
Michael
thewritingprofessor55 