As we speed along on Spaceship Earth toward that day that marks the completion of another free trip around the sun, we first observe days set aside for religious and secular purposes. The generic term for this time of year is the Holiday Season.
While not a holiday, the first day most observed was last Sunday, Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. This is one of those days Americans are asked to honor by displaying the colors; the flag I fly on such days once flew over the U.S. Capitol, a gift to my father from then President Reagan. Most of the Jewish world will celebrate Hanukkah for eight days beginning next Sunday, Dec. 14, until sundown Dec. 22; a common greeting is “Chag urim sameach!” (Happy Festival of Lights!) There are many more observances during this time of year, one day of note is Dec. 21, which marks the Winter Solstice; the day with the longest nights and shortest days that signals three months of cold weather ahead.
Many Blacks in American celebrate Kwanzaa from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, during which seven traditional African values are observed; in Swahili they are: umoja, kujichagulia, umija, ujamaa, nia, kuumba, and imani (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith). Also, on Dec. 26 our neighbors to the north follow their British counterparts with Canadian Boxing Day; referring not to the pugilistic kind but to the cardboard kind (you could look it up). But in America, and myriad other countries, the big day is Dec. 25, Christmas Day. And the reason for this is because it is one day where both the religionists and the secularists can celebrate to the max. It is both Jesus’ day and Santa’s day and both get their due attention. The former an itinerant preacher considered by many to be a man-god born on this date and the latter a once minor saint of the Christian Orthodox faith elevated to superhuman status; Jesus Christ and Santa Claus. Some believe in both, some believe in one but not the other, some believe in neither. But whatever the case may be regarding belief, it is still usually a very good season for retailers.
With the individuals mentioned above, it is usually the case in America, or at least it has been my experience, they are introduced to us when we are very young and only through observation over the years does the truth come to us. Usually, the first to fall in grace is Santa; over a period through watching and listening we eventually come to realize there really is no such magical jolly fellow sledding around the world in one night. The realization about Jesus of Nazareth also comes through years of observation; which realization causes some to alter their stance while others still believe as they did from day one. I fall into the first category after years of questioning dogmas and, more importantly, observing the conduct of those who call themselves Christians. This conduct today is more on display in America than ever before in my lifetime; and strongly supports my current agnostic attitudes.
I am grateful for Donald J. Trump. Without this man the world may never have come to see the true nature of white Americans who claim to be Christians. Mr. Trump alone has put voice to the bigotry that once simmered within the minds and souls of those who believe they are the rightful rulers of America, the White Christian Nationalist male. He alone awakened the devil that dwells inside much of the adult voting population and once in power he and his minions unleashed hell upon all those who oppose their views. He has demonized people of color, which allows his sycophantic followers, most of whom are middle to lower class whites with low economic power and limited education, to be able to punch down. It is a standard tenet of authoritarianism to first separate the masses, to foment discord among the citizens. In Mr. Trump’s case, he has made white people believe their poor lot in life is because of non-white immigrants, who are just as poor as they are. Never mind the many economic studies and indicators that show it is the ultra-wealthy that keeps America’s middle and lower classes right where they are.
I am glad Mr. Trump has shown to the world that we as a people are fully capable of electing a man whose history reveals his moral compass has always pointed toward corruptness in business and infidelity in marriage; a man whose treatment and opinion of females can only be described as sleazy, a convicted felon and America’s greatest grifter. This president is cashing in on the office like no other president before him. Just look at the shady people he has pardoned and know they all deserved the punishment they got but were set free for political gain and piles and piles of cash. He pardoned the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, two of them have been arrested since on child molestation charges while he has, so far, escaped being charged himself. He is a bully who targets only those who can’t get to him, mostly women. I would like just once to see him insult a female journalist, call her “piggy,” and get his smug face slapped so hard his teeth rattle. One day I’d like to see a father or husband or uncle or brother of one of the many women he has mistreated step out of the crowd and bloody his nose and blacken his eyes. Such has been the treatment of others who cross the sexual line and so it should be with this creep.
Yes, I am grateful to Donald J. Trump for showing me just how far America has risen in terms of racism and political violence by those who claim Christianity; can’t wait to see what mayhem 2026 will bring.
Take care. Peace.
