Explaining The Blind Support For Trump.
Anyone who has paid attention to the news has to be perplexed. How is it that someone who has pending criminal charges can be in position to be nominated to be President of the United States of America? There was a time not too long ago when the least of flaws would have destroyed a campaign. Remember John Edwards and his extramarital affair? Our former President not only had an affair with an Adult Porn star, but he also bribed her silence for $147,000 and yet he remains the party front runner. It boggles the mind that one would want to elect such a person that would incite a riot aimed at overthrowing our democracy. What causes these rabid crowds of people to blindly follow this despot into America’s political abyss?
I examined my memories to think of some situation that could be used to parallel this current situation. Then I had my epiphany. I realized that I did the exact same thing, or something very much like it. The political leader was Marion Barry, and the election was the mayoral election in 1994, following his 6-month stint in prison.
I can remember my own family asking incredulously how could those foolish people down there in DC elect a convicted criminal? My first response was to proudly exclaim that I voted for him as well. I was proud because first and foremost, it was a demonstration of loyalty. Not blind loyalty, but true loyalty to someone who was truly a servant to his people. Marion Barry was unabashedly pro Black. He worked hard to make sure that all government contracts had strong minority business representation. There is no doubt that Marion Barry’s minority contracting program created countless successful entrepreneurs.
As quiet as its kept, Barry took nothing in exchange. How do I know? Because he was under close scrutiny by the U.S. Attorney Joseph DiGenova who wasted hundreds of millions of dollars trying to find a way to convict the Mayor of some form of corruption. Which leads to the other reason for voting for Barry. Voting for Barry was a way of thumbing our noses to the U.S. Attorney who, we felt, had set Marion up on a trumped-up crack cocaine charge. But it was not only the minority contractors who owed an allegiance to Barry. It was also all of those thousands of summer school students who benefitted from that great summer internship program. That D.C. summer program was second-to-none. Barry would contact those businesses that benefitted from D.C. contracts and other large employers and ask how many kids they would take that summer. Through that program, students were exposed to professions and job opportunities that they would never have experienced otherwise. Marion Barry also built outstanding senior facilities throughout the city where the elderly could be cared for with respect and compassion. Marion Barry maintained close ties with the African American religious community, making a point to attend a different church every Sunday. Finally, Barry strongly supported the LGBTQIA+ community attending early Pride Day celebrations. What a powerful coalition he created.
The Undercards Of Impunity
Mayor Marion Barry gets Caught with Crack Cocaine.
Marion Barry, who was mayor of Washington DC for 16 years over 4 terms, was caught with crack cocaine in a targeted FBI sting on January 18th, 1990. His cocaine arrest came amidst a culmination of character attacks from his political opponents through the years of his mayoral administration. Prior to this, Marion Barry’s track record was of a visionary mayor, who’s accomplishments ranged from affordable housing for DC residents, an expansion of health and social services, and his famed “Youth Jobs Program,” which employed thousands of inner city youth. His notoriety, and relatability earned him the beloved status of “Mayor For Life,” by those DC residents who experienced his mayorship first hand.
Ex-President Donald Trump and Hush Money Conviction.
The controversy of Donald Trump, his presidency and his many legal entanglements, have made him one of the most polarizing political figures of the time. Ex-president Trump’s recent conviction of violating campaign finance laws by paying “hush money” to porn star Stormy Daniels has been at the forefront of his reelection bid, and the defining of his character and credibility. Through the years leading up to his presidential run, Trump was thought of as a reputable and insightful and famous businessman, who hedged his bets and always seemed to come out on top. But the more that Trump has urged into the political spectrum, more and more questionable business practices and potential criminal activity have come to light.
These were my explanations for why I voted for Marion Barry, but in the end, I was motivated by the same underlying passion as Trump’s supporters – it was that Marion Barry looked out for us. He was not embarrassed about it, he never wavered from it, and although I never personally benefitted, he was my guy. He talked the talk, and he walked the walk. We know we all have flaws, and so much more was he adored when upon his return from prison, he came to the Reeves Center and the first thing out of his mouth was, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…”. The crowd erupted. People were crying. Our hero had returned, stronger and unscathed.
Looking back, we said all the same things that Trump’s supporters are saying now. He is being set up by a biased legal system. Yes, we know that he is flawed, but look at the benefits that he has provided for his people. Yes, it may not look good, but we owe it to him to stick with him because he stuck with us and paid the price for it.
Just think of the benefits Trump has gifted his people with – Overturning Roe v. Wade, eliminating affirmative action in college admissions, permitting businesses to refuse service to gays, allowing greater access to religious accommodations. All within one year of his departure, and there is so much more to come. Like the gift that keeps on giving and all due to Trump. If I were a mindless red-necked neanderthal racist, I would do the same.
So, of my many criticisms of Trumpers, the one thing that I cannot blame them for, is their loyalty to the guy. In the end, I too know what it is like to be mocked for following a flawed leader. Oh, and by the way, there was nothing anyone could do to change my mind about supporting my guy, either.
