Should Christians Support Donald Trump?
- Rev. Harry Williams, II
- Jan 12, 2018
- 3 min read
Back in the late 90s, I had a dream come true. I got the chance to visit West Africa. I can still kind of remember what the air felt like that magical first night when we arrived. I remember the humidity, the tropical scents of flowers and vegetation that rushed through the windows as we rode a van from the Dakar, Senegal airport to the Hotel Teranga which sat on the seashore. I remember the people—beautiful, dark brown, proud, regal, kind, charming…When I shook their hands I would sometimes wonder, “Are we related?” You see my family members on both sides come from the African continent. My blood kin and I can trace our lineage back to those (you know) “s…hold countries” to which Mr. Trump was referring.
As comments trickled back concerning Mr. Trump’s stated feelings toward people of color, I felt bad for people who had already suffered so much persecution. I hurt for my Salvadoran friends on the west coast. I felt bad for the beautiful Haitian people whom I grew up around back in Asbury Park, NJ. I thought about one of my favorite authors, Edwidge Danticat who crafted masterpieces like the “Krik? Krak!” and “The Dew Breaker.” I thought of the Haitian freedom fighters and allies that I’d met here the San Francisco Bay Area; proud, unbowed people.
Lastly, I thought about christian people who excuse or explain away every hateful tweet and noxious comment that Donald Trump makes. I won’t go through the hit parade except to make this one point. Until this time, Mr. Trump has trafficked in “dog whistle” politics. He says something profoundly racist and then slyly winks at his base. When questioned about the actual intent of his remarks, he feigns outrage that anyone could even insinuate that he said what he said. You see, he careful walks up to the line but he doesn’t actually cross it…until January 11th, 2018, when it was reported that he said, ““Why are we having all these people from s…hole countries come here?” It was reported that the President said that the United States should be bringing in more immigrants from Norway. “Why do we need more Haitians? Take them out,” he is alleged to have said.
The thing that has boggled my mind is how believers who follow Jesus Christ, the personification of love; this Jesus who in Matthew 25:31-46, promises fire and damnation for people who mistreat the poor, the marginalized and the disinherited—can follow a man who is so unkind and threatening to the very people Jesus mentioned in that story! How can you hitch your cart to a man who mocked the disabled, supported an accused child molester’s run for high public office, promises to rip health care the grasp of millions of human beings and has built a career stoking the fires of hatred in his countrymen who live in fear as the number of people of color in America continues to rise.
What does “Make America Great Again” really mean? Judge Roy Moore was honest enough to say that he felt that America was at its greatest when my family members were tortured, whipped, chained and sold like cattle.
Back home there’s a saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.” If you are a christian who unequivocally supports a powerful man whose views harken back to pre-Civil War America, understand that your unswerving devotion for such man will taint your public witness as a christian.
I NEVER thought I’d see the day when people would view the word “evangelical” as synonymous with “racist!” Christian, consider carefully your unabashed approval for one who spews such vile hatred and yet says that he is following the God you serve. Some people say that this is the end. No, this is only the beginning. He has just tested the waters to see the reaction of his fan base; people like yourself. Christian, its time to walk out of the theater now because this movie is not going get any better.
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