By Vernon A. Williams, Gary Crusader
During my time teaching radio and television, I tried to instill life lessons in young people. One of the fundamental truths – no matter what religion you claim – is that eventually, your words and deeds will manifest in your fate. More simply, karma is real.
In the Holy Scripture, there is the foreboding that God will not be mocked. You will reap what you sow.
Over the past year, callous disregard for human suffering on a national level has ignored deadly proliferation of firearms (real weapons of mass production), homelessness, poverty, hunger, sickness, ignorance, racism, misogyny, xenophobia and a jaded judicial system.
Those who form the resistance to tyranny and elitism may have lost the battle in 2017, but are more resolved than ever to win the war in 2018. Oppressive decisions, rhetoric, deeds and misdeeds will be resurrected in 2018 for counteraction by disgruntled Americans.
From top to bottom, even as D.C. disrespects continue, those in positions of authority will be forced to answer for each and every misstep.
For skeptics who misinterpret such a prognosis as wishful thinking, I urge you to examine what’s trending. For example, not only did Doug Jones whip Roy Moore in Alabama, but he turned around this week and he became the only Democrat in the Senate to appoint an African American Chief of Staff – Dana Gresham. That is substance – not symbolism.
Key to the spirit of accountability will be the fact that not only does Agent Orange remain the most unpopular president of all time, but his base is shrinking. Don’t get too excited, Republicans are more talk than action and some who pretend to distance themselves remain closet supporters of the Donald.
But because they have no scruples, it is a tenuous coalition. Let them see their political aspirations jeopardized by aligning with the incumbent and you will see them jump like rats from a sinking ship. With his tweet storms only escalating with the start of the new year, that path of self-destruction for 45 is inevitable. His allies will desert him.
Women are feeling themselves and with the advent of burgeoning power last year, the GOP will feel their wrath in the streets and ultimately at the polls. The insurgence of relentless women demanding better is seminal in the demand for accountability.
Another positive is the certain homecoming of Americans who supported President Obama in 2008 and 2012, but went for Agent Orange over Hillary or Bernie. This group is larger than you think and the demographics are broad.
Then there’s the FBI investigation. Despite their best efforts to discredit or stonewall the relentless inquiry of Robert Mueller and company, the inquiry goes on. It has 45 as jumpy and nervous as the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof but his threats and distracts seem to have no effect on the depth or pace of the investigation. Collusion will be revealed.
Right now in towns, cities, counties, and states from Maine to Tampa Bay, from Oakland to Philly, from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Biloxi, Americans are simply refusing to “drink the Kool Aid.” Every day, more everyday people are getting fed up with the hollow rhetoric.
It’s pure poetic justice – that a leader who embodies the most despicable elements of the human condition could kindle such a massive spirit of oneness in opposition to him. It is the quintessential wisdom that submits: The enemy meant it as evil…but God meant it for good. It has taken the worst to bring out the best.
This will be a year of accountability and there are some debts folks will be forced to pay. Confronted with a common enemy, Americans are prepared to disregard divisive characteristics like race, gender, religion, education, income, politics, sexual preference, age and geographical variances in favor of the common good.
Will this unified effort result in the concoction of some mystical elixir for sustained peace, love and understanding among disparate U.S. citizens teaming to form the resistance? Of course not. But it will get the job done in 2018. And even if the ongoing spirit is fleeting, the lessons learned by vanquishing tyranny through strength in numbers may become a more sustainable practice.
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].
