I considered writing about the incredible irony that a challenge to affirmative action is being brought by a presidential cabinet made up primarily of wholly incompetent white men whose rise to power was made possible because of their race, gender, and socio-economic background. But that would be too obvious. I also contemplated discussing why I am not surprised that a man named Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III has chosen to attack a critical public policy aimed at correcting this nation’s historical and present issue of racism. After all, this is a man so dangerous and racist that the late Coretta Scott King felt compelled to write a letter to Congress in 1986 in hopes of blocking his nomination to a federal court. In the letter, she noted that allowing him to sit on a federal bench would “irreparably damage the work of my husband.” But that too seemed to apparent.
Instead, I believe it is far more beneficial to talk about why I am not worried about Trump and Sessions, and neither should you. First, I do not know if you have noticed, but this administration thrives on making shocking and offensive statements, but lack the conviction to achieve most of what they say. Trump is the reality TV president, and what he says should be taken with a grain of salt. This is not to say that what he does he is not dangerous. Indeed, he is very dangerous and his antics are harmful to the overall health of our country (e.g. immigration ban, repeal of health care with no plan and encouragement of police brutality).
However, what I am saying, is that the Trump administration, especially Trump, loves to do and say things for attention and to deflect from the Russian scandal (e.g. the military ban of trans soldiers). They are like the obnoxious children throwing a fit and making absurd statements in the middle of the room while company is over because they want everyone’s attention. Trump will do and say whatever he needs to do in order to keep attention on him. While this is scary to watch at times, it is also comforting because it demonstrates this administration’s incompetence. One of the reasons I am not concerned about the administration’s attack on affirmative action is that I believe they are too incompetent to achieve their goal. They have failed at so much already and it is only August. They may want to attack affirmative action, but thankfully I don’t believe they have the capacity to do so.
That said, I do recognize that Sessions has a long history of being racist and in government. He may in fact be capable of doing some harm. But this brings me to the second reason I am not concerned: I fully expect him to be terminated soon. Honestly, I thought he would be the next one to leave after Spicer, but the Mooch surprised us all. Nevertheless, this administration has proven to be so volatile that it is only a matter of time before Sessions is on Indeed or Ziprecruiter looking for a job.
This is especially true given Trump’s open rebuke of Session’s decision to recuse himself from the Russian investigation. I am almost certain that Sessions will not make it to the end of this presidential term. Quite frankly, I do not know if this administration will make it to the end. I think they will implode before 2020 given their deep dysfunction. At least I hope so.
The third, and the most important reason why I am not concerned about Sessions, is that I am more concerned about what his actions indicate about the state of race in America. As I stated in my six part series on the history of the rights of blacks in America, this country’s disposition to blacks is cyclical. It has a pattern of granting rights to blacks, only to withdraw its promise of freedom when the political climate is ripe.
Therefore, when I see Sessions threatening to undermine the laws meant to protect blacks and other minorities, I see that as an indication that we are in a dangerous stage in the cycle of oppression. America is postured to renege on its promise of protection and ready to regress to oppressive laws. We see this not only in the attack on affirmative action, but also in the Justice Department’s push to increase prosecution for drug crimes and abandonment of consent decrees for police departments, and the very fact that Trump was elected.
Sessions is a symptom of a larger problem. We cannot afford to be caught up in the provocative, reactionary talk of a dysfunctional administration. If we do, then we will miss the actual issue. The real issue is America’s lack of commitment to racial reconciliation and justice. The real issue is that black and brown people, and women are not yet free to live without fear that at any moment a new administration will arise and diminish their rights. Until we address that issue there will always be a Sessions rising up. Each time he rises, we must not become distracted by him and his antics. Instead we must remember the true enemy, it is the lingering presence of bigotry and racism in America. So, don’t fret about Sessions, instead keep fighting for justice and the Sessions of America will be defeated.
–Until Next Time–
Palooke
So true