Donald Trump’s assault on Harvard and other institutions of higher learning is part of a broad and multifaceted strategy to upend those institutional spaces that are perceived to be strongholds of the American left.
I don't know if I'm just having a bad day, but I re-read that over and over again and the middle part lost me a bit. Sometimes I wonder if I really earned that "edjumakation" I got at university. Here's what I did get: "This approach keeps us from thinking that the problems we face as a nation rest solely with Trump." And this final part: "The assault on our democracy consists of much more than the usurpation of power by an executive gone mad. Forces are trying to capture all of our cultural and political institutions." - I've been saying this for a long time. Trump is not a one-off. Getting rid of Trump is not going to end this hate, this fear of others, this divisiveness and this long-held racism that this country continues to deny - is happening. Trump tapping out our institutions is the long game for them. The enablers -- the republican party/republican congress especially -- are the big problem. Imagine where we'd be if they did not embolden this man on the daily? There's a part of me that's glad the racists are out from underneath their rocks -- though I'd be happy to see them crawl back under where they came from -- a part of me thinks, my country, this country I love so much -- is getting to see itself CLEARLY. Now, how do we deal with all it's ugliness and still love our country enough to admit it, fix it and embrace it all anyways? As a Black/Latina little girl, as a teenager and as a woman I have had to love my country even though I knew how it felt about me and how ugly so many parts of it has always been. The United States has never been perfect. It's never been great for most of its amazing hard working people -- but the thing about the United States is that it has such possibility. Such hope. It's story is not done. It's still unfolding - and that's what we cling on to. That's what I dream of... every day.
So perfectly stated. I agree with everything you’ve said EXCEPT “its story is not done”. My fear is that the country’s story is done, that the country will never again be one of possibility as it once was. Can we recover from the brutal, senseless, inhumane devastation…
Hi Nannette. I have to believe the answer is yes. Yes, we can recover from this space. It won't be easy and it may not even be in my lifetime - which is sad since I think I have at least a good 40 years of living to do if I'm so blessed and privileged to live a healthy and long life - but I do believe we'll recover. And it's not because of the Constitution or that mythical American dream we all grew up believing in as kids -- no. I believe we will find our way through because at the end of the day, I still believe in the human spirit! I know, I know, hokey for sure -- but I believe most people are good and decent human beings. Maybe it's delusional, I'm not sure. But that sliver of hope is all I have and I'm clinging onto it because it's what drives me forward every day. Knowing, believing that things will get better. I have "family" who voted for Trump. They just got rid of their precious Tesla - a car they wanted for so long, and had such pride in for the longest time! So, look, I'm not saying that's indicative of an all out change with Trump supporters all over the country -- but let me tell you, it's earth shattering news over here in my little casa del Carmen. I'mma take every small victory as I can and keep trudging along... sliver of hope. Lastly, I'm not letting that man be the end of our story. And no, racism won't be it either. We can do this Nannette, just hold on.
Hi Carmen. I like your hope. That said, I've lived and worked in their world my entire life, while being the daughter of a woman who marched with Dr. King.
I note the above to say they've never followed the rules so Im not surprised we are here but as long as I'm here, I will fight.
But the analytical part of me is watching indicators like the economy, because I don't believe we can hold with an economic collapse. Flight of the middle class out of the country is another indicator of autocratic take over.
I'm straddling the fence on hope, but am ever watchful.
Professor Glaude in all his brilliance is making this deeper than it actually is. Project 2025 is the execution of an old line of conservative thinking, but it has to be married to someone who MAGA w follows or it falls apart. The *intent* will always be there like the American affinity for racism, but it needs a leader to coalesce around. trump is that person. Because he believes the presidency is about his black hole of a soul, he signs executive orders, enacts tariffs and pushes through laws in the vein of this conservative blue print without caring about the impact. He is the useful idiot. But he is beloved by MAGA. I see no other heir apparent.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated in the publication Common Dreams in 2019:
"He (DJT) can stay, he can go. He can be impeached, or voted out in 2020.
But removing Trump will not remove the infrastructure of an entire party that embraced him; the dark money that funded him; the online radicalization that drummed his army; nor the racism he amplified+reanimated."
Out of the gate, my initial response to most events is an emotional one. It will take discipline and practice to slow that down, consider the facts viz a viz my beliefs and then consciously choose a response. Self awareness can be hard but important in these times.
It has been said that Paris is one of the most magnificent cities to visit. Tuck a little love in the corner of your heart and bring it back. Many of us are living in a country that hasn’t been kind to us. but America is still our HOPE!
sadly i think england is experiencing a little of this ourselfves, many take the case of a recent case of a Muslim immigrant with mental disorders killing some young kids in a danceclub , and then riots exploded out around the country in response[some say it was russian propandanga fueling this or wether it was just our new media environment], a recent broadcaster stated that last week a rogue driver , drown into a crowd of football fans after a big important match, and asked where were the riots in the response to that? there was none, the driver was found to be a white family man, a CEO, who had been driving on drugs, and thus the results of no riot....England is in the grip of "immigration panic"..and there is no solution to this , whether the state wishes to deflect by paying france to deter them coming or not.
The Ancient Roman Empire , couldnt stop immigrants from coming and we are not stopping them now, but its a hot topic with all the papers and media leading with it, and a nation behind waiting to see something happen[almost following america in your wake]..but nothing is gonna solve this..[sighs]but the one thing i do know is this new "REFORM" party under Nigel farage, seeks to be a trump of england, and will promise the world a unlimited bill of promises to be prime minister and he will be the man to stop it....and so i see the rise of this demagogue promising to stop something he cant..and the people will listen, because they are tired of failed promises[heard this one from america as well] from either nominal parties of conservatives or labour will give them this thing, that neither can deliver and so turn to the demagogue to give them the lie[that they want to beleive] he will solve it,when he cant :(
Felon 47 is a symptom He’s not the cause. Capitalism and greed is the root problem.
I don't know if I'm just having a bad day, but I re-read that over and over again and the middle part lost me a bit. Sometimes I wonder if I really earned that "edjumakation" I got at university. Here's what I did get: "This approach keeps us from thinking that the problems we face as a nation rest solely with Trump." And this final part: "The assault on our democracy consists of much more than the usurpation of power by an executive gone mad. Forces are trying to capture all of our cultural and political institutions." - I've been saying this for a long time. Trump is not a one-off. Getting rid of Trump is not going to end this hate, this fear of others, this divisiveness and this long-held racism that this country continues to deny - is happening. Trump tapping out our institutions is the long game for them. The enablers -- the republican party/republican congress especially -- are the big problem. Imagine where we'd be if they did not embolden this man on the daily? There's a part of me that's glad the racists are out from underneath their rocks -- though I'd be happy to see them crawl back under where they came from -- a part of me thinks, my country, this country I love so much -- is getting to see itself CLEARLY. Now, how do we deal with all it's ugliness and still love our country enough to admit it, fix it and embrace it all anyways? As a Black/Latina little girl, as a teenager and as a woman I have had to love my country even though I knew how it felt about me and how ugly so many parts of it has always been. The United States has never been perfect. It's never been great for most of its amazing hard working people -- but the thing about the United States is that it has such possibility. Such hope. It's story is not done. It's still unfolding - and that's what we cling on to. That's what I dream of... every day.
So perfectly stated. I agree with everything you’ve said EXCEPT “its story is not done”. My fear is that the country’s story is done, that the country will never again be one of possibility as it once was. Can we recover from the brutal, senseless, inhumane devastation…
Hi Nannette. I have to believe the answer is yes. Yes, we can recover from this space. It won't be easy and it may not even be in my lifetime - which is sad since I think I have at least a good 40 years of living to do if I'm so blessed and privileged to live a healthy and long life - but I do believe we'll recover. And it's not because of the Constitution or that mythical American dream we all grew up believing in as kids -- no. I believe we will find our way through because at the end of the day, I still believe in the human spirit! I know, I know, hokey for sure -- but I believe most people are good and decent human beings. Maybe it's delusional, I'm not sure. But that sliver of hope is all I have and I'm clinging onto it because it's what drives me forward every day. Knowing, believing that things will get better. I have "family" who voted for Trump. They just got rid of their precious Tesla - a car they wanted for so long, and had such pride in for the longest time! So, look, I'm not saying that's indicative of an all out change with Trump supporters all over the country -- but let me tell you, it's earth shattering news over here in my little casa del Carmen. I'mma take every small victory as I can and keep trudging along... sliver of hope. Lastly, I'm not letting that man be the end of our story. And no, racism won't be it either. We can do this Nannette, just hold on.
Hi Carmen. I like your hope. That said, I've lived and worked in their world my entire life, while being the daughter of a woman who marched with Dr. King.
I note the above to say they've never followed the rules so Im not surprised we are here but as long as I'm here, I will fight.
But the analytical part of me is watching indicators like the economy, because I don't believe we can hold with an economic collapse. Flight of the middle class out of the country is another indicator of autocratic take over.
I'm straddling the fence on hope, but am ever watchful.
Understood. And absolutely fair. 🙌🏼
Professor Glaude in all his brilliance is making this deeper than it actually is. Project 2025 is the execution of an old line of conservative thinking, but it has to be married to someone who MAGA w follows or it falls apart. The *intent* will always be there like the American affinity for racism, but it needs a leader to coalesce around. trump is that person. Because he believes the presidency is about his black hole of a soul, he signs executive orders, enacts tariffs and pushes through laws in the vein of this conservative blue print without caring about the impact. He is the useful idiot. But he is beloved by MAGA. I see no other heir apparent.
You have hit the nail on the head. He is their useful idiot. project 2025 is the playbook that reflects what has been in the works for generations.
Yup. And trump doesn't know the dogma Professor Glaude references because he doesn't read.
I know the hate and racism will not go away, but all movements need leaders.
The key will be if democracy is completely dismantled. That will be clear if there is no election next year.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated in the publication Common Dreams in 2019:
"He (DJT) can stay, he can go. He can be impeached, or voted out in 2020.
But removing Trump will not remove the infrastructure of an entire party that embraced him; the dark money that funded him; the online radicalization that drummed his army; nor the racism he amplified+reanimated."
Out of the gate, my initial response to most events is an emotional one. It will take discipline and practice to slow that down, consider the facts viz a viz my beliefs and then consciously choose a response. Self awareness can be hard but important in these times.
Dr. Eddie,
It has been said that Paris is one of the most magnificent cities to visit. Tuck a little love in the corner of your heart and bring it back. Many of us are living in a country that hasn’t been kind to us. but America is still our HOPE!
Eddie, as the movie so clearly states, “there is no sanctuary.” Logan’s Run - 1976
sadly i think england is experiencing a little of this ourselfves, many take the case of a recent case of a Muslim immigrant with mental disorders killing some young kids in a danceclub , and then riots exploded out around the country in response[some say it was russian propandanga fueling this or wether it was just our new media environment], a recent broadcaster stated that last week a rogue driver , drown into a crowd of football fans after a big important match, and asked where were the riots in the response to that? there was none, the driver was found to be a white family man, a CEO, who had been driving on drugs, and thus the results of no riot....England is in the grip of "immigration panic"..and there is no solution to this , whether the state wishes to deflect by paying france to deter them coming or not.
The Ancient Roman Empire , couldnt stop immigrants from coming and we are not stopping them now, but its a hot topic with all the papers and media leading with it, and a nation behind waiting to see something happen[almost following america in your wake]..but nothing is gonna solve this..[sighs]but the one thing i do know is this new "REFORM" party under Nigel farage, seeks to be a trump of england, and will promise the world a unlimited bill of promises to be prime minister and he will be the man to stop it....and so i see the rise of this demagogue promising to stop something he cant..and the people will listen, because they are tired of failed promises[heard this one from america as well] from either nominal parties of conservatives or labour will give them this thing, that neither can deliver and so turn to the demagogue to give them the lie[that they want to beleive] he will solve it,when he cant :(
So well said. Thank you