Please forgive the cultural stereotype in today’s article title, but this writer couldn’t resist the metaphor. The real founders and remaining guardians of the modern democracy our public school instructors at least tried to teach us about from grade school upwards–the American citizens–just took a moment to remind those they put in charge, who is still in charge, regardless of the unkind words that have been circulating for the past 20 months or so about our absentee ownership allowing the democratic ship to continue heading straight for the rocks.
Remembering that sometimes one has to assert oneself to make the point that we still know who’s in charge, the American people b-slapped the Trump administration and the Republican Party with emphasis last week–to remind everyone of what’s what.
Granted, even that strong-arming may not be enough, given how deeply the Trumpian termites have burrowed into the American governmental fabric. Still, the jarring hands-to-the-face maneuver of electing an overwhelming number of new Democratic Party congressmen and congresswomen and sending home a ton of Republican lawmakers who had become rubber stamps for perfidy and disrespectful behavior was a clear message that change had to occur. And it’s time was right now.
No, the Trumpsters are not yet chastened, and they won’t quit. But punishment is on the way, with the first leg most likely being the impeachment and firing of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. And there will be many more chastisements, since the Trumpsters have made a mockery of the government of the U.S. and have embarrassed this country at home and abroad.
An internal war for the soul of American democracy is about to begin, and it won’t be pretty, heroic, or overly long. The result will hopefully produce an improved American polity, including expanded opportunities for Black advancement and progress.
Some will call this period the new Civil War for the Soul of America, and our role as foot soldiers, battlefield commanders, and command strategists can’t be ignored.
The Trump folk were out to put a mob hit on American democracy. Still, as last week foretold, it’s hard to overcome something that has history, genius, stamina and multicultural zeal.
Last week, folks, the battle was enjoined. Get ready to participate and show our worth, or watch as others take the prize. Either way, the battle for the soul of America is now on and humming, and few prisoners will be taken. We either end here very soon, or we emerge with renewed democracy real, tangible and rocking into the future. Remember, everyone of the earlier civilizations they taught us about in school burned bright for a time, then quietly or loudly died.
What time is it for our own American civilization? To live or let die, that is the question and the battle has been joined.
