The Trump Effect
Over the last few weeks I have been watching the worst of humanity come out of my country's shadows, emboldened by a Trump victory. Hate crimes in this country have risen to epic proportions in the few short weeks since the election. The white nationalists, neo-Nazis and the KKK have declared that Trump's the President that gives them legitimacy. Sadly, they are right. Instead of denouncing these deplorable groups, by name, in the strongest terms possible Trump has taken to Twitter to denounce the cast of "Hamilton" for a respectable message to Mike Pence. Before that it was the protestors who became the focus of his rage. Trump is not a man, he is a child who wants to sit at the grown-ups table, yet he has no idea how to use a fork and knife yet! He throws temper tantrums that would be funny if they weren't so pathetic. He even uses his surrogates to issue stern warnings to anyone who may speak out against him (Bring it on, Trump!). This is the person who is supposed to lead the United States of America?!
Each day more horrible stories of hate come to light and each one breaks my heart. From swastikas being spray painted on playgrounds to a video of a white nationalist convention at which they are giving the Nazi salute and scream "Heil Trump," one day seems to be worse than the last. Recently, though two stories have just destroyed me. One is that of the shooting death of James Means, a 15-year-old boy from West Virginia at the hands of a racist white man who proudly, and without remorse, admitted to police that he did in fact shoot James. A police detective quoted the man, whose name I will not mention because I do not want to give him any publicity, as saying, "The way I look at it, that's another piece of trash off the street." While the life of this young man meant nothing to the racist monster who murdered him in cold blood, James Means' life meant a great deal to everyone who knew and loved him. James' memory will live on long past the days of the monster who killed him. "James wanted to grow up to be a businessman and open a mechanic shop," according to Obi Henderson, founder of a program called Dream Chasers, which helps "at risk" youth develop career goals.
Each day more horrible stories of hate come to light and each one breaks my heart. From swastikas being spray painted on playgrounds to a video of a white nationalist convention at which they are giving the Nazi salute and scream "Heil Trump," one day seems to be worse than the last. Recently, though two stories have just destroyed me. One is that of the shooting death of James Means, a 15-year-old boy from West Virginia at the hands of a racist white man who proudly, and without remorse, admitted to police that he did in fact shoot James. A police detective quoted the man, whose name I will not mention because I do not want to give him any publicity, as saying, "The way I look at it, that's another piece of trash off the street." While the life of this young man meant nothing to the racist monster who murdered him in cold blood, James Means' life meant a great deal to everyone who knew and loved him. James' memory will live on long past the days of the monster who killed him. "James wanted to grow up to be a businessman and open a mechanic shop," according to Obi Henderson, founder of a program called Dream Chasers, which helps "at risk" youth develop career goals.
The other story is that of Jordan Jackson. Jordan is 8 years-old, a straight A student with a 4.0 GPA. He was hospitalized with a broken humerus and post concussion syndrome after he was beaten on the playground of his school while he was trying to protect his 4 year-old sister. To quote from the GoFundMe page that has been set up by Jordan's uncle, Cris Colbert:
Nov. 14, Jordan (8yo) was on the playground after school hours at Spanish Lake Primary, along with his 4-year-old sister, J'Niaha, while they waited for Alana to bring them home for the day. An incident broke out between Jordan and another elementary-aged boy - a teacher's child - when the other child is said to have begun throwing mulch at Jordan. Jordan asked the child to stop to no avail. At that point, the other child's 13-year-old brother approached Jordan and pushed him to the ground.
Jordan walked away from the incident, but returned upon noticing mulch was now being thrown at his sister, J'Niaha, by the younger child under the command of the 13-year-old. A fight broke out between Jordan and the younger child when the 13-year-old again approached Jordan. At this time, a previously un-involved fourth grade student entered the incident saying to Jordan: 'You need to go back to the cotton farm.' It is then that Jordan sustained the injuries - a fractured right humerus and what would later be diagnosed as post-concussion syndrome.
A fifth grade student, who is said to have witnessed the entire account, walked Jordan to the classroom where Jackson was, and informed her of the events. There were no adult witnesses to the event, however surveillance footage is available and is being used by the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office for their investigation.
Jordan walked away from the incident, but returned upon noticing mulch was now being thrown at his sister, J'Niaha, by the younger child under the command of the 13-year-old. A fight broke out between Jordan and the younger child when the 13-year-old again approached Jordan. At this time, a previously un-involved fourth grade student entered the incident saying to Jordan: 'You need to go back to the cotton farm.' It is then that Jordan sustained the injuries - a fractured right humerus and what would later be diagnosed as post-concussion syndrome.
A fifth grade student, who is said to have witnessed the entire account, walked Jordan to the classroom where Jackson was, and informed her of the events. There were no adult witnesses to the event, however surveillance footage is available and is being used by the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office for their investigation.
If you feel so inclined, please go to the GoFundMe page that has been set up for Jordan and donate if you can. https://www.gofundme.com/medical-fund-for-jordan-jackson
This Trump Effect is frightening and despicable. I fear for my country. As I have told my friends and family, I will stand with them and fight for them until my last breath.
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