Absolutes

Currently, there is not a more polarizing figure than Donald Trump. His loyal supporters champion him as a president of, for and by the people, his adversaries call him a fear-mongering fascist who ran on a platform of bigotry, oppression and hate. It is seemingly impossible for those on opposite sides of the aisle to come together for any sort of agreement. However, in polarizing times and with polarizing people, it is important to consider the notion that we don’t operate in a world in which everything a person says or does has to be taken absolutely.

Yes, that even applies to Donald. And in no way is that notion a defense of any of the absolutely disgusting things he has said and done, from the Access Hollywood tapes to the slander of immigrants to his many apparent Russian connections.

We do not live in a world of absolutes. That is to say Donald Trump is not, simply, an absolutely evil person, despite the broad paintings of him by the liberal perspective. When he brings up hateful rhetoric, feel free to condemn that talk. When he tries to skirt by past comments he has made, please press him on those issues. When he labels the press as the “opposition party” and fake news, we must corner his threats with more truthful investigative journalism. And when, from time to time, he says something positive that hopefully we can all agree on, it is our responsibility to support that measure, because supporting one thing Donald Trump says is certainly not the same as supporting everything he professes. This brings us to his recent Congressional talk, in which he pivoted (hopefully in a positive direction) to a more optimistic message about America’s future.

In his recent talk to Congress, Donald Trump promoted paid family leave, the need to make childcare more affordable, rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and an effort to promote clean air and water as issues that both Republicans and Democrats could work together to solve. Hate or love Donald Trump, hopefully these are all measures that the parties can come together to work on. However, when Trump uttered these words, few Democrats stood up to applaud, signaling approval of the statement. Liberals continued their protest. I argue that these are the moments at which our representatives must dictate our political climate and make an effort to blur divisions. Despite past arguments, despite all of the terrible things he has said, it is up to our leaders to propel this country forward into prosperity, and doing so involves swallowing some pride when it is in the way of progress.

Not everything Donald Trump says needs to be opposed for the sake of opposition. And no matter how infuriating it is to collaborate in promoting clean air and water with a president who probably doesn’t see the irony of cutting a huge amount of EPA funding, we must do it because that is what is right.

It is not an absolute world and Trump will not have an absolute presidency. Fight tooth and nail against words that come from a place of hate and from legislature that is bad for Americans and the world. But it is absolutely irresponsible to view Trump as a pure evil. It is now more than ever when we as a nation must fight for the good of the country by fighting our own tendency to fall into absolute judgements. In doing so, we will oftentimes have to work against the wills and wants of our president, but not always. It is okay to agree with President Trump sometimes, as much as doing so might sting the conscience.

Noah Davis is a Pratt sophomore. His column, “pretty average,” usually runs on alternate Tuesdays.