Having returned the Presidency to a despicable human being, Democrats are throwing out reasons for their defeat. Some are reasonable, such as their foreshortened campaign and an over-reliance on celebrity endorsements. But there is, in my opinion, too much talk about excessive attention on and support for "woke" issues.
Are they suggesting that human rights are a distraction? Should we ignore the white supremacy movement, attacks on gay bars, widespread antisemitism, violence against Asians and the ridicule directed at transexuals? Need we support efforts to eliminate the teaching of black history in public schools? Should libraries be policed by god-fearing Christians? Though Democrats reached consensus on a border policy with Republican Senators, did we not go far enough to keep "vermin" out of the country? Should we have signed on to Trump's deportation agenda? Must we "move beyond" our focus on reproductive rights and the mitigation of climate change? Is access to quality healthcare not a human right? Should we give up hope for a reasonable approach to gun control? Need we ignore genocide wherever it occurs across the globe?
Though I am an Independent who leans toward fiscal conservatism, the Democratic Party must remain the champion of human rights, environmentalism and personal freedom. Vigilance and court challenges will be imperative over the next four years. It is not the time to back away from our longstanding commitment to social justice.
