Julian Cola: The inconvenient truths of Donald Trump's campaign


Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump campaigns in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 3, 2016. Photo from Facebook

Is presidential candidate Donald Trump really a blessing in disguise? Julian Cola credits the Republican front-runner with exposing some awful truths in America:
Much more than just being a modern phenomena bolstered by a 24-hour news cycle, Trump is a progeny, an open window into the very conscious of America as it is and always has been. And if one dares to look with a discerning eye, save only a handful of policy proposals suggested by Bernie Sanders, there’s very little difference between Trump and front running presidential candidates.

Why so much fear just because the Donald came out? Should his mastery of the crass, hurdle those who struggle on behalf of human rights into the abyss of resignation? The fact of the matter is that Trump, even if he loses the presidential election, has already won because he has garnered mass support and prompted fear. Retired University professor Jerry Ward wrote in a recent blog post titled, To Trump or not To Trump, that: Trump is an embarrassing gift to contemporary politics. He is the voice that asks the question; Why did I happen, and how does your outrage and your silence give substance to my shadow?

America’s on the brink of imploding again. And, to cut Trump some slack, it won’t implode as much beneath his weight as it will from the country’s hot-air hagiographers who serve apple-pies and lull people to sleep. If it weren’t The Donald some other force would be leading the charge of bygone days that have, in fact, gone nowhere. And while the truth sets some free, no matter how racist, xenophobic, and sexist they are, others rescind deeper into faint concepts never consolidated in the US such as equality, democracy, and justice for all.

But all’s not lost. Trump’s presence, along with his posse, hasn’t put everyone on their heels. Alarm bells ring louder than day, prompting old and young heads to recognize a truth deferred—a better future is condemned to a lofty dream without a sustained, robust struggle.

Get the Story:
Julian Cola: Trump, the Shocking Truth-Teller (Indian Country Today 4/2)

Join the Conversation

Related Stories
James Giago Davies: The Native vote really matters in this election (04/01)
Mark Trahant: GOP isn't getting much attention in Indian Country (03/28)
Bernie Sanders sweeps three states as Native issues stay on agenda (03/28)
Alex Jacobs: It took generations for Americans to get this stupid (3/28)
Native push for Bernie Sanders fails to translate into more votes (3/24)
Hillary Clinton meets tribes in Washington as 2016 run continues (3/23)
Donald Trump again derides Sen Elizabeth Warren as 'the Indian' (3/22)
Cronkite News: Democrats court Native voters ahead of primary (3/21)
Steve Russell: History repeats itself with Donald Trump campaign (3/21)
Mark Trahant: Bernie Sanders elevates Indian issues in 2016 race (3/18)
Bernie Sanders discusses Indian issues at rally on Navajo Nation (3/18)
Steve Russell: A 'House of Horrors' with President Donald Trump (3/18)
Democrat Bernie Sanders heads to Navajo Nation for town hall (3/17)
Steve Russell: Donald Trump brings bad news to Indian Country (3/17)
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton continue to rack up more wins (3/16)
Mark Trahant: More opportunities for Native votes as race drags out (03/09)
Donald Trump racks up 3 more victories as Clinton and Sanders split wins in 2 states (03/09)
Wife of Bernie Sanders slated to visit sacred Apache site in Arizona (3/8)
Hillary Clinton affirms support of 'nationhood' for Native Hawaiians (3/8)
Mark Trahant: Bernie Sanders is paying attention to Indian Country (3/7)
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton solidify status as front-runners (03/02)
Mark Trahant: Let's make sure Native votes matter in the election (3/1)
Gyasi Ross appears on Democracy Now! to discuss 2016 election (2/29)
Hillary Clinton wins another state as campaigns head to big vote (2/29)
Mark Trahant: Indian Country needs big ideas from candidates (2/26)
NCAI hears from Bernie Sanders presidential campaign at DC meeting(2/25)
Hillary Clinton campaign releases Indian policy at NCAI winter session (2/24)
Donald Trump secures commanding victory in Nevada GOP vote (2/24)
Steve Russell: Cruzing to disaster with bad federal land policies (2/24)
Mark Trahant: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on inside track (2/23)
Indian voters continue to favor Bernie Sanders as race sizzles (2/22)
Mark Trahant: Federal land battle surfaces in presidential race (2/22)
Jacqueline Keeler: Bernie Sanders outlines Indian policy goals (02/16)
Gyasi Ross: Presidential candidates must earn the Native vote (2/16)
Mark Trahant: Native voters are the true outsiders in any election (02/12)
Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders win big in New Hampshire vote (2/10)
Harold Monteau: Democrats stack the deck for only one candidate (02/08)
Mark Trahant: Bernie Sanders campaign starts Indian policy group (02/05)
Bernie Sanders won Democratic precinct on Meskwaki Reservation (02/03)
Mark Trahant: Self-determination should be on the table for presidential campaign (02/03)
James Giago Davies: Only one candidate can help Indian Country (02/03)
Ted Cruz wins GOP caucus as Hillary Clinton claims victory in Iowa (02/02)
Steve Russell: Values make a difference even for our politicians (01/19)
Mark Trahant: A guide to the 2016 elections for Indian Country (01/11)
Gyasi Ross: Be thankful for Donald Trump for exposing racism (12/28)
Steve Russell: Democrats smooth debates for Hillary Clinton (12/21)
Steve Russell: Fear and aggression take center stage for GOP (12/17)
Mark Trahant: The real business of leading in a time of chaos (12/16)
Mark Trahant: The road to the White House is paved with the Native vote (12/14)
Rep. Markwayne Mullin endorses Sen. Marco Rubio for president (11/23)
Steve Russell: Ben Carson and the intrusion on women's rights (11/02)
Republican Jeb Bush wants to move DOI headquarters out West (10/22)
Three presidential candidates make appeals to Indian Country (10/20)
Republican Jeb Bush wants to repeal Indian health care law (10/14)
Five Democratic presidential candidates meet for opening debate (10/13)
Donald Trump doesn't think NFL team's racist mascot should go (10/06)
Republican Jeb Bush defends racist name of Washington NFL team (10/01)
Jeb Bush wants tribes and states to control energy development (09/30)
Hillary Clinton breaks silence and opposes Keystone XL Pipeline (09/23)
Democrats slam GOP candidate for comments about assimilation (09/03)
Donald Trump's campaign manager linked to Abramoff scandal (09/03)
Native Sun News Editorial: Republican attacks on Hillary Clinton (09/02)
Steve Russell: Donald Trump isn't the only crazy one in the race (08/27)