By Vernon A. Williams, Gary Crusader
Despite the fact that two million more Americans voted for Hillary Clinton, Republican Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America January 20, 2017. That’s a fact. A sad one for many – but a fact nonetheless.
In the interim, Green Party Candidate Jill Stein has vigorously proceeded with a recount of the state of Wisconsin’s vote – where computer experts insist there were glaring irregularities. They say the same is true for Michigan and Pennsylvania – where they could also demand reexamination of results.
Hillary has joined in the contesting of results. She should. And despite the fact that it has Donald peeved, he should applaud it. Examination of the results is a way of verifying that the will of the people prevailed. That’s good for everyone.
Truthfully, the likelihood of finding enough wrong with the results to overturn the election is a pipe dream for those who can scarcely stomach the reality of a Trump presidency. For their physical and mental health, they may as well acknowledge that the die is cast. Even if there was evidence, they would conceal it at this point.
America is more obsessed with protocol than principal. Always has been – always will be. Symbolism outweighs substance in this country and before confessing that its precious system is not only flawed but also downright toxic, it would allow an orangutan to win the election if it meant preserving processes.
You know it.
This is the nation that allows prisoners to be wrongly sent to death row because it can’t admit a mistake. Even those cleared of all charges as a result of their infallible DNA process have remained behind bars for months, years, awaiting the formal court procedures to occur. That’s more emphasis on process than justice.
With millions of children in urban America failing, we would rather debate who is at fault for problems involving education rather than take immediate steps to fix it. The cost of medical care and pharmaceuticals have skyrocketed out of control and our society would rather see those without means die than demand change.
We live in a country in which young adults are saddled with exorbitant debts as penalty for pursuing higher education with aims of a higher quality of life. Yet though we can forget foreign nation debts into the billions of dollars, we won’t even consider offering forgiveness of children who were just trying to improve their lives.
We watch millions die as a result of alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking but choose instead to criminalize those caught with small amounts of far less harmful drugs like marijuana. We love our veterans and fighting men and women ceremoniously, but relegate them to second class citizenship when they return to society.
All I’m saying is, if you think America will get it right just because it’s the right thing to do – think again. While there are some truly compassionate, committed individuals in this great nation, they rarely have the strength to fight the power.
But here is the good thing about Americans.
There will be just enough revolutionaries out there rejecting oppression to make it forever uncomfortable for the oppressors. Those that would subjugate many for the pleasures of the privilege few will have to sleep on their satin bedspreads with one eye open, never certain when the unabated force of resistance will turn the tide.
Historically, it always does. The United States will be no different. It’s not a question of “if” massive change will come, but more a question of “when.”
CIRCLE CITY CONNECTION by Vernon A. Williams is a series of essays on myriad topics that include social issues, human interest, entertainment and profiles of difference-makers who are forging change in a constantly evolving society. Williams is a 40-year veteran journalist based in Indianapolis, IN – commonly referred to as The Circle City. Send comments or questions to: [email protected].
