Trump's Coded Messages

I’m not entirely sure I should be the one to write on this topic. However, I am sure someone needs to say something about how they felt as they watched President Donald J. Trump during a ceremony at the White House Nov. 27. While honoring Navajo code talkers, Trump referred to Massachusetts' sitting senator Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas" - a term commonly understood to be derogatory towards Native Americans. Neither deserved nor likely wanted his comment at the ceremony.

What President Trump fails to realize is that while his actions, words and bearing are a direct representation of himself, they are also a direct representation of this country. In honoring Navajo code talkers, we seek not only to honor the service of Native people, but also to reconcile a past of racism, marginalization, neglect and even genocide with the American dream.

A dream that many do not share in, or realize, because they live on the margins of society forgotten by their government and neighbors, but I digress.

The disgusting part was not exactly the racist undertone of the already racist-leaning politician, but the fact that a ceremony like this should have been devoid of pettiness. It should have been a unification of the nation to stand together and honor great men who, despite adversity, stood together to defend our great land. It should have been a moment of clarity for the President to comment on their exceptional bravery, to ascend to the role of Commander and Chief and declare that the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform are above reproach, above politics, above our own petty differences and truly heroic.

Sadly, instead it was a third grade recess fight, involving name calling, and egregious disregard for maturity or civility. I think we can all agree that in certain circumstances we should all be able to be civil.