Events of Jan. 6 were public display of power for Trump
As I write this piece, it is a cold morning but warm inside my home. Within this state of warmth, the juxtaposition of the heat giving birth from my fireplace, and the coldness of outside peering both windows and doors, I listen to Duke Ellington and John Coltrane’s collaboration on “In A Sentimental Mood.” What an incredible musical piece.
What is even more impressive is the story behind the original “In A Sentimental Mood.”
As it goes, Duke Ellington was at a party where he had a friend who needed help to soothe an awkward engagement between two women he knew. So, he created that musical mastery at that precise moment that quelled tension between two warring bodies.
For that moment, Ellington’s genius captivated an audience and changed the course of history. As brilliant as I think this musical piece is; however, I believe that given the right situation, it would fall short of subverting influential individuals who are egregiously determined to abuse other people, places, and things to demonstrate power and control.
No, not even the soothing sound of Duke Ellington and John Coltrane can suppress, in this here-andnow moment, the toxic eruption of hate and discord in this country, in these United States.
Our county is witnessing a division that threatens our democracy
The president of the United States is leading millions of people, who emphasize notions of white dominance and nationalism, to usurp the national equilibrium of federal law. To be successful at this goal, one must possess a charismatic personality, a relatable message of representation, and control over individuals willing to work, live, and die for the cause.
As an example of such a reality, one views only what transpired on Jan. 6. On this day, Donald Trump alerted the world that he possessed the ability to mobilize the citizenry and the federal government’s resources to a significant degree of effectiveness.
Additionally, as president, Donald Trump is the most powerful man in the world. Many of those attempting to disassociate themselves from Trump now are doing so because of self-interest. This man should have been denounced when he used military force to remove BLM protesters from Lafayette Square; I am wholeheartedly disturbed by this stark and dehumanizing contrast between the BLM protesters and the farce we witnessed at the Trump riot response.
Moreover, Lindsey Graham’s statement, “Enough is enough. I tried to help” indicates a level of complicity in the whole matter. He said a lot but answered nothing in his response to the riot. He has been Trump’s staunchest advocate.
Senator Graham is, in contrast to Donald Trump, an intellectual politician. I suspect Graham’s level of cunning is not far beneath that of Trump’s. Graham has more respect, it seems to me, for the furtherance of the institution. Trump does not. Trump’s recent public display of total power was merely a measuring rod for shock and awe effect.
By all indications, Capitol police and the Pentagon officials are complicit as they played parts in delaying assistance after the requests had been made. One should now be sure that Trump’s power, although left wanting in the area of political intellectualism, stretches wide and goes deep.
Intellectual presidents have mastered the art of moving in, out, and through spaces of power with a sense that all is fair as long as the institution stands the test of time. Until recently, most presidents, even those who were not inclined to read broadly and deeply beyond required presidential briefing, were inclined to engage some scholarly reading practices. Trump does not get this element of the presidency. However, he does understand how power and control work, and he has used this skill to his advantage.
Donald Trump is not an intellectual president in the vein of a Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, or Barack Obama. Still, he has what could be referred to as a foundational element in political progeny: a distinct level of shrewdness.
And the point of cunning is measured and interpreted by circumstance and degree.
Even the lowly Jesus encouraged his disciples to be both gentle and have an intelligent disposition when operating around levels of power in the world.
Trump’s coup was undoubtedly a brilliant power play. I do not describe the events that occurred at the nation’s Capitol as an attempt toward anything.
Jan. 6 went to Trump, and if we are not careful, this country, and the world, will follow.
Dewayne R. Stallworth is professor of religious studies at American Baptist College.