In letter #211, St. Augustine wrote, “Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum,” which translates to, “With love for mankind and hatred of sins.” The more commonly quoted version of this sentiment comes from Mahatma Gandhi, “Love the sinner but hate the sin.” In Gandhi’s case, he appealed to his fellow countrymen to challenge British rule without fomenting hatred toward the English, hatred which might lead to violence and undercut international support for the Indian independence movement. The British wanted nothing more than the world to see Indians as violent and dangerous, unable to govern themselves.
My thoughts turned to St. Augustine and Gandhi yesterday when I saw Donald Trump’s response to the shooting death of Dwyane Wade’s cousin Nykea Aldridge. Within hours the Republican nominee tweeted:
Dwyane Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”
This is not the first time Trump has turned tragedy into a self-promoting vehicle. It was one more in a series of initial reactions to tragic events in the United States and abroad.
After the murder of 49 members of the LBGT community at The Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida:
Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!
And following a terrorist attack in Brussels, Belgium in which two Americans were among the 35 victims:
Remember when I recently said that Brussels is a “hell hole” and a mess and the failing @nytimes wrote a critical article. I was so right!
Thus, the title of this post. Donald Trump sees crime and terrorist acts as a validation of his world view of America and the world as a dangerous and scary place. He does not understand that Brussels was an ISIS target, NOT because it is a “hell hole,” but because it is a vibrant example of a free and open society. Or that The Pulse was a symbol of tolerance.
Only after these tweets resulted in bi-partisan and public outrage, did Trump express sympathy for the victims and their families. Trump is also quick to point out that criminals and terrorists are “really bad” people. On that count he is right. However, instead of calling for justice for the victims, his initial exhortation is VOTE TRUMP!
Last night, Chicago police apprehended and charged two men accused of Nykea Aldridge’s murder. Yet the master tweeter was silent as this development does not fit his narrative in which everything is “going to hell” and everybody is “not smart.” I cannot help but wonder whether campaign strategists in Trump Tower believe more of these kinds of tragedy are just what their candidate needs to win in November.
For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP