Meet People Where They Are
One of the major reasons that motivated me to enter the field of counseling was an experience I had as an undergraduate. As a member of a volunteer group providing tutoring for children in foster care, I was eager to guide my tutee toward better education and a brighter future. However, at the end of the semester, he told me his mathematics final exam grade was a single digit out of 100. I was shocked, saddened, and concerned. My passion and knowledge had not improved his educational achievement. I feared that without better education, his future prospects would be bleak. This prompted a lengthy reflection on what I might have missed. I realized that I had never met the child where he was; instead, I imposed my ideas of a better life onto him.
I had never thought a presidential election could cause such deep heartache and profound grief until the latest one. What pained me most was that more than 50 percent of the electorate chose what I perceived as a darker path for the future. I was gravely concerned about the retributions that those deemed by the President-Elect as enemies, dislikes, and non-supporters might face when the new government takes office in January. My biggest fear was whether President-Elect Trump would lead the more than 50 percent of the electorate, who still supported him despite his imperfections, toward a place of unkindness, vengeance, anti-science, and anti-intellectualism.
Why, why, why? I have asked myself countless times why so many people like and support Mr. Trump, even after witnessing the ridiculous and hurtful things he has done. In a CNN Townhall meeting, Mr. Cooper asked the Vice President what she thought Mr. Trump’s strengths were. She hesitated and eventually said that Mr. Trump probably loved his family. In this hesitation and probable unwillingness to acknowledge Mr. Trump’s strengths, I wonder if the Vice President missed meeting the electorate where they were and recognizing their needs, wants, and strengths. The same might be said for all of us who have relentlessly asked "Why?"
So, why? I wonder if we will ever fully understand. Perhaps these characteristics can shed some light: daring to be real, taking risks, challenging norms, never giving up, and always finding ways to come back. Before election day, Mr. Trump displayed behaviors that made many politicians and strategists question if he really wanted to win. Nothing is more real than exposing one’s imperfections and vulnerabilities, and being real and vulnerable is powerful in making human connections. Wanting something so badly, facing countless criticisms, and still insisting on one’s own approaches requires extraordinary risk-taking. On the contrary, extremely careful packaging to avoid showing imperfections creates distance from people. If one is so afraid of revealing limitations and thus unwilling to take certain actions, might this affect one’s ability to make critical decisions and actions regarding the nation that could bring harsh criticisms?
Mr. Trump’s behaviors have defied many norms typically expected of a presidential candidate, president, or former president. He is obsessed with fame and fortune and pursues both by any means. He does not mind expressing his dislike or contempt and does not care about other countries. While many people find his actions awful, perhaps the number of people who agree with him is larger than we are comfortable acknowledging. His traits of never giving up and always finding ways to come back, as evidenced even by his multiple bankruptcy filings, may also garner significant admiration.
Democracy means accepting the choice of the majority, and I do. However, acceptance does not guarantee ease. I am still concerned about the direction in which this country will be taken and which side of the heart of its people will be fostered. I deeply hope it will be a direction where people can smile from their hearts at each other. An inability to smile would be a very sad place.