When my supervisor tried to help me out of my despair after the election, she offered this as an attempt to mollify:
"BTW, fascinating conversation with our Mexican/Guatemalan-American student friend. Asked her if she’s connected to many friends who are afraid after the election. She and her parents are not overly concerned—even her mom was once taken in for questioning. She had nothing against her other than not having papers, and they let her go. They feel this initial wave truly will be against those who have other charges pending. And they believe that is a good thing. I understand where there is fear. Media is focusing on that, and I wish they weren’t making it worse.
L questions where they would get the money for massive deportation? And the businesses and economy that depend on the workers…would Trump really cross them? I think he’s blustering on the “massive” thing, as he always does. Hyperbole. “Starting” with those who have other charges, and I believe as threatening as that sounds, they won’t go further.
My two cents."
L is her husband, a 2nd gen Cuban immigrant. A few days ago L expressed outrage on FB that his brother was detained at O'Hare.
Thank you for your work, Dr. Tisby,and for writing this article. It truly helps me understand what is currently happening, especially after the recent SCOTUS ruling. It is clear to me that the conservative court desires to make 45/47 a true king in very sense of the word. Nobel prize recipient, Maria Ressa, tried to sound the alarm about this. Every day, we loose a little bit more of our freedom, and it becomes difficult to get it back. Once I saw the election results, I knew that this country was in trouble, but some around me tried to reason that it wouldn’t be “that bad.” Even when people started to get arrested, pulled off the street, with no warrant, I was told by some that it “wasn’t that bad”. They even used having faith in God to end the conversations about what was happening.
What I don’t understand, is why conservative judges of the Supreme Court are choosing to install a King. They would not allow it to happen under a democratic president. Are they so confident that there will always be a Republican president in charge? Would they claw back such unreserved power from the Executive Branch, should a Democratic president be elected (if we have free and fair elections again)? Is this an attempt at establishing a new order in the country, and world?, I just cannot wrap my head around it all, even down to those in congress who’ve abdicated their roles in checking the current administration. This all feels like the villains have won in the most cartoonish/cinematic of ways. 😞
Thank you for an explanation of what is happening in such understandable terms. I look forward to hearing more including perhaps from the Convocation group you are part of. Good work!
All is not lost in the courts according to Norm Eisen, litigator and publisher of 'The Contrarian.' He writes, "Though I vehemently disagree with much in the opinion, we must not overlook that it left in place the injunctions as to the plaintiffs in the cases, and when the findings of unconstitutionality in these cases reach the Supreme Court, they will be upheld. Moreover, the court opened the road to class actions as an alternative vehicle to achieve the same nationwide coverage." Your can hear more about the recent court decisions at
Yes, Norm and Jen seem to be eternal optimists, perhaps because they know what and where to file suits. Unless we are lawyers, we watch the court proceedings from the sidelines. Hope this prompts more critical thinkers to choose the law profession.
I was beginning to wonder and be more attentive during Trump's first term due to the presence and preferred treatment of the NAR/Dominionist spirituality, which is a spirituality characterized by willfulness and domination. People ignore spiritual influence or take it less seriously, but it lies at the core of political commitments because it determines how we see the world and understand relationships in it and to it. Seeing it come into full flower after Trump's election this time around, I knew we were in for a rough ride. I couldn't picture how it would "flesh out", but knew it would show the characteristics of it's nature.
Thanks Jemar. So on point you are. The Heritage Foundation published their carefully curated plan, what they would do and how. They preconditioned the American people (some) to embrace it as something good for them, and others to ignore it as something ludicrous, and impossible to implement in our well structured democracy. We surprise to both. This ideology will only benefit the ‘king’ and his jester court.
In February 2024 I began to hear of this thing called Project 2025. I was terrified. I couldn’t believe this could happen. No one was listening. For the first time in my 70 years of life I protested at HANDS OFF and NO KINGS. Still calling and writing senators and one crazy representative in the ruby red state of TN.
This was extremely helpful. I guess saying why didn't we listen is beyond the point right now. I am trying to focus on what now? Articles like this, which educate and put in a larger framework, can help us respond and educate others. I do not believe hatred will ever defeat love, but we have a long road ahead of us. Let's lock arms and walk it together.
Where I live this is also being played out at the state and local levels and even in the churches , as well as nationally. The players are all connected. They express confidence that God is not only telling them to ignore church members who want to prioritize safety over new pews. They believe that He is telling the state to fund private and religious schools with vouchers and He told the county and city to build a baseball stadium even as essential infrastructure (like bridges )is crumbling.
The decision makers are connected by blood, marriage, and tradition .
Saw the split in the way my alma mater Wheaton College posted congratulations to Russell Vought and then retracted due to outraged alumni. Sadly, no longer for Christ and his kin-dom. So many can not fathom that white Christian nationalism is the driver. Thank you, Jemar, for concentrating on your clear teaching skills!
When my supervisor tried to help me out of my despair after the election, she offered this as an attempt to mollify:
"BTW, fascinating conversation with our Mexican/Guatemalan-American student friend. Asked her if she’s connected to many friends who are afraid after the election. She and her parents are not overly concerned—even her mom was once taken in for questioning. She had nothing against her other than not having papers, and they let her go. They feel this initial wave truly will be against those who have other charges pending. And they believe that is a good thing. I understand where there is fear. Media is focusing on that, and I wish they weren’t making it worse.
L questions where they would get the money for massive deportation? And the businesses and economy that depend on the workers…would Trump really cross them? I think he’s blustering on the “massive” thing, as he always does. Hyperbole. “Starting” with those who have other charges, and I believe as threatening as that sounds, they won’t go further.
My two cents."
L is her husband, a 2nd gen Cuban immigrant. A few days ago L expressed outrage on FB that his brother was detained at O'Hare.
How do I lovingly say, "I told you so?"
Seems this is what the candidate meant when he said: Just vote this once for me - and it won't matter any more.
Thank you for your work, Dr. Tisby,and for writing this article. It truly helps me understand what is currently happening, especially after the recent SCOTUS ruling. It is clear to me that the conservative court desires to make 45/47 a true king in very sense of the word. Nobel prize recipient, Maria Ressa, tried to sound the alarm about this. Every day, we loose a little bit more of our freedom, and it becomes difficult to get it back. Once I saw the election results, I knew that this country was in trouble, but some around me tried to reason that it wouldn’t be “that bad.” Even when people started to get arrested, pulled off the street, with no warrant, I was told by some that it “wasn’t that bad”. They even used having faith in God to end the conversations about what was happening.
What I don’t understand, is why conservative judges of the Supreme Court are choosing to install a King. They would not allow it to happen under a democratic president. Are they so confident that there will always be a Republican president in charge? Would they claw back such unreserved power from the Executive Branch, should a Democratic president be elected (if we have free and fair elections again)? Is this an attempt at establishing a new order in the country, and world?, I just cannot wrap my head around it all, even down to those in congress who’ve abdicated their roles in checking the current administration. This all feels like the villains have won in the most cartoonish/cinematic of ways. 😞
Thank you for an explanation of what is happening in such understandable terms. I look forward to hearing more including perhaps from the Convocation group you are part of. Good work!
All is not lost in the courts according to Norm Eisen, litigator and publisher of 'The Contrarian.' He writes, "Though I vehemently disagree with much in the opinion, we must not overlook that it left in place the injunctions as to the plaintiffs in the cases, and when the findings of unconstitutionality in these cases reach the Supreme Court, they will be upheld. Moreover, the court opened the road to class actions as an alternative vehicle to achieve the same nationwide coverage." Your can hear more about the recent court decisions at
https://katiephang.substack.com/p/new-scotus-rulings-live-w-jen-norm?utm_source=live-stream-redirect&triedRedirect=true. We are blessed with many brilliant lawyers working hard in the courts to preserve our democracy.
Yes, Norm and Jen seem to be eternal optimists, perhaps because they know what and where to file suits. Unless we are lawyers, we watch the court proceedings from the sidelines. Hope this prompts more critical thinkers to choose the law profession.
I was beginning to wonder and be more attentive during Trump's first term due to the presence and preferred treatment of the NAR/Dominionist spirituality, which is a spirituality characterized by willfulness and domination. People ignore spiritual influence or take it less seriously, but it lies at the core of political commitments because it determines how we see the world and understand relationships in it and to it. Seeing it come into full flower after Trump's election this time around, I knew we were in for a rough ride. I couldn't picture how it would "flesh out", but knew it would show the characteristics of it's nature.
Thanks Jemar. So on point you are. The Heritage Foundation published their carefully curated plan, what they would do and how. They preconditioned the American people (some) to embrace it as something good for them, and others to ignore it as something ludicrous, and impossible to implement in our well structured democracy. We surprise to both. This ideology will only benefit the ‘king’ and his jester court.
In February 2024 I began to hear of this thing called Project 2025. I was terrified. I couldn’t believe this could happen. No one was listening. For the first time in my 70 years of life I protested at HANDS OFF and NO KINGS. Still calling and writing senators and one crazy representative in the ruby red state of TN.
Thank you for your engagement!
This was extremely helpful. I guess saying why didn't we listen is beyond the point right now. I am trying to focus on what now? Articles like this, which educate and put in a larger framework, can help us respond and educate others. I do not believe hatred will ever defeat love, but we have a long road ahead of us. Let's lock arms and walk it together.
Where I live this is also being played out at the state and local levels and even in the churches , as well as nationally. The players are all connected. They express confidence that God is not only telling them to ignore church members who want to prioritize safety over new pews. They believe that He is telling the state to fund private and religious schools with vouchers and He told the county and city to build a baseball stadium even as essential infrastructure (like bridges )is crumbling.
The decision makers are connected by blood, marriage, and tradition .
Saw the split in the way my alma mater Wheaton College posted congratulations to Russell Vought and then retracted due to outraged alumni. Sadly, no longer for Christ and his kin-dom. So many can not fathom that white Christian nationalism is the driver. Thank you, Jemar, for concentrating on your clear teaching skills!