I listened to the new President elect’s acceptance speech and I must say, it was surprisingly magnanimous. He asked for help, said he’d rule for all and specified that he meant all races and all religions. He was gracious about his opponent and said everyone in that country should be grateful to her for all the hard work she has done.
So…I am not without some hope.
I’ve been watching this thing unfold all day…which kind of surprises me as it’s not really my thing…I wasn’t planning to be glued to the telly today! And a couple of things popped out at me that I would like to share:
1.) A brown skinned, muslim, Australian journalist had said that he had been to a lot of Trump rallies and he said that he had met some of the nicest people at these rallies. For those of you who know, it was Waleed Aly from The Project. He’s widely respected and seems to do a heck of a lot of fact based (as opposed to opinion based) research for his work.
2.) One commentator pointed out that most of the polls were conducted through New York based news media. He pointed out that, this media was so scathing of those who might support the conservative candidate that this may have led to people being shy (in the polls) about being honest in their intentions to vote for him. So perhaps the nastiness (on both sides) stopped people from listening to each other. The sarcasm, the sense of righteousness and perhaps even a sense of putting ideology before people.
I’m not suggesting I’m glad at the outcome, one way or another. But I’m determined to find a way to understand this so that I can bring myself to a positive place and positive interactions with even those who will not agree with me about whom I thought was the best candidate and why.
Recently in Australian politics, there has been a similar pattern of those from the mainstream who were feeling disaffected showing their political muscles and voting for someone similiar. The most inspiring things I heard on the media about this and issues that were affected by this, came from two female politicians. I’ve heard both Linda Burney (an Aboriginal lady) and Anne Aly (an Egyptian born Muslim lady) both promote what I would call Right Speech and open, fact based, respectful dialogue with opposing political voices. I was so proud of them both and so incredibly relieved. And I know they have done this themselves and I believe they will continue to do this. And I understand their efforts were met with respect and friendliness from “the other side”.
Let’s not seek to characterise others as simply fearful or angry. Maybe some voted out of hopefulness. Maybe some voted out of love for their children’s futures. Whatever it is, let’s actively look for the good. I hope the new president elect continues with one of the surprising themes of his first speech and reaches out to all people…I hope people reach back and communicate respectfully. Perhaps people weren’t well informed about wider issues, issues greater than themselves, but maybe that’s because no one bothered to have a calm and respectful chat with them about it. Another commentator pointed out that the divide in the lives of ordinary people’s political lives becomes entrenched through them only surrounding themselves with those who agree with them. Surely there can be no communication, no consensus, no respect. At least we can agree to disagree in a kind and respectful fashion. We can salvage that much. And it would actually be a lot.
I’m frightened for our planet. For its climate and for its peace. But I’m more frightened that ordinary people will be so dispirited by this outcome (or so elated by it) that they will forget to be kind to each other and to those who voted differently to them. Actually, I’m worried that those who didn’t agree will not even talk to each other because if they can’t do this, then, not just one country, but all beings on this planet, will be even graver danger.
One thing that some people loved was the apparently no BS approach of the president elect. But what I couldn’t help noticing, as a practicing Buddhist, was the absence of those things that the Buddha, in the Early Buddhist Texts, more than once, described as being a part of Right Speech. The winner of this election may not have been fortunate to have access to these amazing and useful and loving teachings, but we do.
Not to be harsh, not to divide each other with malicious speech or gossip. To consider whether it’s correct and factual. To consider if it’s true. To consider if it will be for the betterment of oneself and others and whether it is uttered at the right time and place. To consider if it is gentle and kind. To consider if we are coming from our own fear, anger, desire or sense of thinking we know it all. To consider if we are coming from an open, present heart.
A tall order. But Buddhism sets the bar high. We don’t have to reach it. But it will help if we aim for it.
Perhaps, it would be a great idea to give everyone the choice between a cheerful and sad design 
