Silence may be an appointed time in which there is no sound. Or maybe it is the absence of response when every aspect of democracy and justice demands it. There were 6 Republican notables in that S***HOLE room with Trump. They were, and are, silent.
Actually, Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Durbin thought they had been called to the White House to “finalize” a plan to save DACA and the DACA families. When they arrived they found a stiff contingent of immigration opponents along with Trump. And when the meeting proceeded it immediately became clear that NOBODY present (except perhaps Durban) had any thought of “saving” anybody, especially immigrants of color.
The disgusting language emanating from the President of the United States made that point very clear. And since it was “understood” that meetings of this type, called by the President, were presumed to be held confidential, all the participants, except Trump, sat silent and remained silent.
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When it became obvious that what the President said was racist to a degree unheard of in public life, every Republican leader in that meeting remained silent.
Across the land, thousands of Americans reacted to the news that the President of the United States had been openly racist and personally derogative to immigrants of color from Africa and Haiti.
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Commentators commented across all the networks, even Fox. People wrote to their newspapers. Neighbors and friends who had held hands during the Civil Rights Era wept. Anguish and clamor ranged across the world.
Except in the Republican world. In the Republican world there was only silence. The Rulers of Congress and of 34 states including Pennsylvania were silent. SILENT! The word screams at us. The Republicans actually in the meeting were silent. The lone Democrat, Richard Durbin of Illinois, stood alone in public the next day and reiterated his sorrow and distaste at what the President did and said.
Senator Durbin was not joined by any colleagues from across the aisle, or even by his acknowledged Republican partner. Senator Graham was silent. Rep. Ryan was silent. Sen. McConnell was silent. Not a word was heard from Bryan Fitzpatrick, Marguerite Quinn, or any Republican member of the Pennsylvania legislature. Not that we expected any effort, but one has to wonder what it would take to wake them up.
Silence implies permission and the condoning of behavior. I’m a school teacher and a parent. I don’t stand quiet when people are debased and demeaned.
Nor should anyone. Those standing silent in the face of defamation and racism directed toward other Americans must be called to task.
In fact, in just a few months, the most important tool in the basket of democracy will get used. The people will speak in November. The desperate awful silence will be ended. A new day is coming.
Ann Melby Shenkle
Doylestown, PA.
