From North Carolina pastor John Pavlovitz:
The America that I came to know as real, was deeply flawed: erected on supremacy, steeped in misogyny, forged through force, and polluted with prejudice—but still beautiful in what it aspired to. Despite its fractured and ugly parts, that America was a place where I believed most people were trying really hard to make space for difference, to defend the vulnerable, to listen to someone else’s story.
The America I accepted as real, was a place where our leaders were expected to be public stewards of the dream. They were supposed to be the ones leading us to our better nature. They were there to steady us in turbulence and to bring clarity when confusion reigned. They were the people, at least on the surface—declaring the inherent worth of every human being and working to make each person feel seen and safe and welcome here.
The America I accepted as real wouldn’t tolerate an unrepentant racist at its helm.
That America is dead.
Our leaders no longer even need to pretend.
They can hate with impunity.
It is not lamented by their supporters, but celebrated.