Where is the line between praising someone for their overwhelming honesty and recognizing that there could potentially be harmful outcomes from it? How do we figure out if it’s someone’s simple opinion or if it’s offensive? When do we, the public, decide that enough is enough?
I’m referring to the current political sideshow that is Donald Trump, of course.
According to a recent article from USA Today, the billionaire mogul, reality television host and world-renowned misogynist is leading Iowa polls as the “top choice for 30 percent of Iowa Republicans who identify with the tea party movement, 30% of business-oriented establishment Republicans and 16% of Christian conservatives,” the article said.
The man with the notorious comb-over has garnered a nation-wide following. However, he has been known for aggressively speaking out against pretty much everyone, including minorities, John McCain and FOX News’ golden girl, Megyn Kelly. This amount of support has many people, including myself, questioning why Trump has become so popular in the polls when he is outwardly bullying others.
Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic, asked a crowd of anonymous Americans why they were voting for Trump.
“Trump has never lied to me whereas all of the other Republican politicians have,” one voter said, “I used to vote for President based on their positions. Now I am going to vote for President based on emotion.” I’ve found this to be true of many. I’ve seen more and more posts on social media about how Trump is honest and straight to his point. However, what does that all really mean?
Sure, Trump is honest about his opinions. He believes Mexican immigrants are “rapists,” that women are objects, and he once said he would date his daughter if only he wasn’t her biological father.
According to the Huffington Post, he has publicly stated these accounts, but how does being honest about your racism and sexism translate into a shot at presidency? We need to figure out where to draw the line. When an outdated opinion outright hurts a large group of people, I don’t think we should be praising it.
I value honesty and allowing others the autonomy to form their own opinions, but when you are openly offending others and mistreating your public power it may not be the best option for an entire nation to focus on.
Yes, it is entertaining to talk about whatever latest insult or derogatory claim Trump has made in the news that day, but it’s also permitting others to participate in that type of rhetoric as well.
According to The New York Times, Trump supporter Jim Sherota would like the billionaire mogul turned faux-politician to “make the border a vacation spot” citing that it would be “one nice thing” if vacationers could pay $25 for a hunting permit and make $50 for every confirmed kill of a Mexican immigrant.
Trump supporters nationwide are being open and honest with their politics, but I do not think that the question of honesty in this situation should be one that is praised. How do we decide when enough is enough?
We cannot have people growing up in a world where it’s okay to be publicly racist, sexist or offensive. That does and is contributing to the larger problem of prejudice within the country. Rather, we should be asking ourselves how we can become more open-minded.
We should talk about things that we do not understand with an open heart and a mind that is willing to change.
This nation has to travel a long road to “make America great again,” but I do not believe that Donald Trump is an adequate and prepared driver.
Steph McCann can be contacted at smccann@kscequinox.com
