Stand up to Donald J. Trump, the bully
7 March 2025
Donald J. Trump is a bully (see also here). He threatens anyone who does not subscribe to his deranged vision of the world and is often successful in personal attacks. People and institutions, including Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate, often yield to his irrational demands before he has even threatened them.
Our response should be to stand up to Trump, together:
Bullies target lone individuals and vulnerable groups to display dominance and create fear. This is sometimes called “performative cruelty.” So gather allies who will stand with you if you’re being bullied. Also ask others to stand up to bullies; sitting on the sidelines just perpetuates bullying.
And together, stand with and for those others who are bullied. It may make no material difference. But it always makes a moral and psychological difference to those who stand up – and to those they stand for. Source.
Trump and Musk are weak. They cannot and will not fight large numbers of people in Congress or communities and will back down. Admittedly, it’s hard to stand up to a bully because none of us wants to become a target. But we should be brave and do it anyway, knowing that it may be the only way to be effective. This is what we teach our kids - it works.
I am standing up to Trump and Musk and will publicly protest their insane, unconstitutional policies. How about you?
Note: if you want to start a petition, let me know below or at NatPernick@gmail.com.
The index to my prior essays (mostly post 5 November 2024) is here.
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