There was a news report that two serving police officers in the United States of America (USA), sued the former President, Donald Trump, to court for damages which had to do with the upheaval that arose from Trump’s protest over the presidential election result. Without going into the nitty-gritty of that show of shame in America, it would be necessary to examine the significance of Trump’s exit from power, despite his protest and allegation of election fraud. At the end of the day, the result of that election was upheld, in spite of protest and allegation.
It would be recalled that Trump’s protest or doubt about the integrity of the result of the election which resulted in his exit from power, caused his supporters to engage in actions which demanded calling out the riot unit of the police. It was also reported that deaths occurred in the process, including a police officer. An eye witness sent out a text message describing the incident in USA as a show of shame. Many people across the globe also saw that sad incident on the television. One would have thought that thuggery was an exclusive Nigerian affair.
Thus, the end of Donald Trump’s presidency was characterised by unfortunate acts of thuggery, rarely associated with election results. Although Trump did not face any impeachment after he left office, two police officers involved in the anti-riot operation sued the ex-President to court for damages which they suffered. There is a Shakespearean play titled: “All’s Well That Ends Well”, which in the form of idioms, provides lasting lessons.
USA is looked upon by the rest of humanity as the beacon of hope for freedom which democracy promises. While no individual or nation would make any claim of being perfect, it is necessary that there should be a model which would inspire hope, confidence and impetus. Through its strong institutions, USA is one such nation which is a pillar for human freedom and rights. Political shenanigans notwithstanding, American electoral process is not the same as the acts of brigandage which characterise elections in Third World countries.
Some religious groups used to tell those who cared to listen that World War I and II marked a turning point in human history, when the Devil was thrown down to the earth, from wherever. He is said to be roaming about, looking for who he would destroy and devour. Fictional as the tale may appear, there is a probability that humans are passing through an accelerated pace of experiencing, characterised by a possible pay-back time. What that means is that long accumulated dark clouds would fall back as heavy rains, with some windstorms and thunders.
If a presidential election result in USA could lead to protests, deaths and the ex-president being sued by two police officers for damages, then what would the situation be in countries where politics is declared a do-or-die affair? Are humans learning lessons and improving through past experiences, or getting more aggressive and bestial as a result of recalcitrant postures? So-called dividends of democracy should not translate to mean wealth and freedom for a few, and then agonies and bondage for the majority.
Reactions of the international community towards the last US Presidential Election and Trump’s personal attitude and utterances, did not portend that there was any fraud or foul play. Rather, there was an indication that conservativism in USA needed some revamping, to become more accommodative. The issues of global terrorism and hostilities are probably reactions arising from past imbalances and other malfeasance, of which all nations have some guilts to bear. The situation does not call for belligerence and recalcitrance, but realistic changes which would emphasise the unity of humanity.
Trump’s reluctance to accept defeat was seen as the inability of conservative humanity to see the need to build bridges and accommodate a diversified humanity. Human inequalities and diversities are real, but rather than increase and widen the differences, a new world order demands better understanding rather than bitter confrontations. Therefore, his eventual exit from power despite protest, carries some significance worth examining.
It can hardly be denied that there are structure, power politics and long-standing racial prejudices in the USA and efforts to undermine the rights of minority groups and those who have sympathy for them. Right from the era of Ku-Klux-Klan (KKK) racist terrorists, the American society is full of contradictions, despite every positive achievement. For example, scientific election rigging in the USA style, is done through racial disenfranchisement, with the case of Florida’s Black community serving as a reference point. Almost in every election racial disenfranchisement features.
Ex-President Bill Clinton, in his election success speech said: “We must do what America does best: offer more opportunity to all and demand responsibility from all”. From the challenges of drug and youth violence, American politics is not free from partisanship, pettiness and pride. What accounted for Joe Biden’s success as a president was the willingness to reach across racial lines to work with all people who shared the value of racial unity. The Republican Party, with conservative ideals, needs to embrace the doctrine of liberalism.
In his 957-page book: My Life, Clinton, among other narratives, told of how he witnessed Voodoo proceedings and festival in Haiti, and then came out with an enlarged worldview. He did not condemn, pass judgment or disparage a religion he knew nothing about; rather he said: “God moves in mysterious ways that men rarely understand”. A new world order demands open-mindedness and mutual empathy and outreach.
A vital significance in Trump’s exit is that various forces which had hitherto held humanity down are being denied opportunity to triumph and continue to hold sway. From the political and economic arena, to the domains of faith, an irresistable wind of change is blowing across the globe. Arbitrary rule of men’s will would give way to such system that would disallow arbitrariness, impunity, lawlessness and chicanery. Like Oxymandias of Egypt, King of Kings, Mighty ones would expire quite soon!
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.