Trump: “I Hate Taylor Swift”
“I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”
This statement should’ve made national headlines. Not because it’s particularly newsworthy for one celebrity to trash another, but because of what it says about the man behind this incredible statement. The fact that this statement didn’t garner headlines is a sad commentary on the pathetically superficial perspective of today’s news media.
Why make such a big deal about this? Think about it. Donald Trump hates Taylor Swift for one reason: she endorsed Kamala Harris instead of him. Sure, we can understand his disappointment at failing to get the endorsement of a music star who has a following of millions. But hate her for that?!!! How does Taylor Swift’s simple act of freedom-of -political-association and freedom-of-speech merit hate?
Does that mean Mr. Trump will hate each and every American who casts a ballot for a presidential candidate other than Trump himself? If so, and if Mr. Trump is elected, we’ll have a President who will hate the majority of the American public he is supposed to represent.
That’s truly, shockingly scary. And again, if he’s elected, what will happen each time an elected official, a governmental employee, a judge, even a member of his administration - opposes an idea that Mr. Trump is trying to advance? Will he hate everybody who does not endorse his ideas or his actions?
“I HATE YOU!” That’s the kind of statement a tantrum-throwing 2-year old hurls at parents when the parents have said no to dessert because the 2-year old didn’t finish dinner. We expect that from 2 year olds. But - “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” - coming from the potential leader of the most powerful country in the world?!!!
That should be a 5-alarm warning. It’s deeply wrong to casually unleash such a loaded grenade of a toxic word - hate - and toss it at anyone who simply holds a different perspective. That’s the kind of approach that leads to persecutions, to violence, to actions like the Nazis.
First come the toxic words, then the toxic actions.
The 6 Million Lights Campaign is all about putting light into the world, not darkness. It’s about positive social actions, positive speech, tolerance of different perspectives.
Whether or not you support Mr. Trump and his policies, whether or not you think Mr. Trump’s election will be good for the economy and your pocketbook, Mr. Trump’s statement - “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”” - should be enough of a reason not to vote for him.
We must be better than this.
NOTE: The 6 Million Lights Campaign is apolitical but we believe that individuals and organizations have a duty to be “upstanders” and to speak up when necessary - to oppose abusive speech, bullying, intolerance and hate. We must oppose darkness with light.