A wave of apprehension! (Part I)

A wave of apprehension!

(Part I)

I had read in my schooling days an essay on ‘Expectation and Disappointment’; I do not recollect the name of the author. A blind man, blind by birth or blinded in his childhood, is totally disappointed on gaining his sight – the world he sees is not what he had expected and imagined it to be like. He had too many expectations from the things around him; he had imagined that a horse had wings and the birds walked on water. He had great expectations of the world at large. The essayist concludes that expectations often leads to disillusionment and then to disappointment. In the same essay, he says that though familiarity does breed contempt it also breeds liking. We don’t get disappointed with a horse because we are familiar with it and we know what to expect of it.

Familiarity may breed contempt or liking but does lead to that ‘सब चलता है’ attitude - the Indian mantra of mediocrity. All the while I thought that this very attitude makes us, Indians, unique; a sign of our evolved or rather mutated mindset. Our whole nation thrives on it. We even tend to be quite happy as things fall in place as per the expected lines. But when the unexpected happens, we are shocked, sometimes even disappointed or even apprehensive of the new change. And there could be a wave of apprehension. But we are not unique after all.

More than half the (American) nation was expecting that Hillary Clinton would be their next President. But it wasn’t to be. And now there is this huge wave of apprehension. An Ameican of Indian origin, on Donald Trump becoming the President- elect, wrote thus and I quote, “I kept my shit together today and managed not to cry once during the day. Then I turned on Hamilton while driving home. And Kieran sang along "just like my country, I'm young, scrappy, and hungry, and I'M NOT THROWING AWAY MY SHOT". I'm glad it was dark and the music was loud so my kids didn't have to worry why I was sobbing. I'm brown and I'm scared in America, for me and my kids. I guess deep down I always have been. Even more so now. It's a wretched feeling. More than half the nation is hurting right now. Many of us are scared for ourselves, our kids, our families, our friends, and also for the millions of Americans we don't know, may never know, but who are now exceptionally vulnerable to institutionalized bullying. But because there are so many of us, we have to have each other's back. Yes, we have the next two years of neofascism in power, but we can still fight the good fight. Let him try to build his fucking walls. We'll build a million bridges. "Now, I am hearing people say that we should wait and see what a Donald Trump administration actually does before we mobilize our opposition to him. Frankly, that is the dumbest, most aloof, disconnected, privileged thing I’ve heard the past two years. If you believe we need to wait and see what Donald Trump and his team stand for, it is probably because you feel pretty strongly that you and your loved ones will not be targets of his administration or their policies. With few exceptions, the only people I see encouraging Americans to give Donald Trump a chance before they are outraged are white heterosexuals. Everybody else is panicking." And then he pleads in this manner, “ A heartfelt plea to my liberal friends who are angry about the election outcome (as I am) - please stop posting stuff shaming Melania Trump about her past modeling decisions. Even if you think this is hypocritical from the perspective of the Trump folks and all their cronies, please let's rise above that. Criticize the system that objectifies women. But I think criticizing the woman in this case goes against all we've been fighting for. You are attacking a woman because you don't like her husband. That's a particularly fucked up version of sexism, which Hilary clearly was subject to, and we should denounce it.”
There were several comments (more than 60 odd), a number of ‘Shares’ and plenty of ‘Likes’. But no one, not a single one, American or American of Indian origin, told him to go back to India. All appreciated his concern and assured of full support to him and his family. Here are some of the comments made:

·         I hate this. It is a living nightmare. I'm so sorry you feel scared in your own country. It's not right.

·         This country is better because you and your family are here.

·         Yes. It is. And yet we are so happy you are here and a citizen. We love you! My dad had to deal with this shit in Hungary and now here. We shall overcome.

·         Organization is key. Lets put racism's dick in the dirt.

·         I'm so sorry you feel that way...it shouldn't be that way! I hope all of the love and support you feel from friends and family far outweighs your fears. And I hope someday, sooner than later, you don't have any fears.

·         Racism might enjoy that too much. Let's cut off its dick and bury it.

·         I don't know what to say except that you're not alone and your kids are not alone. You've seen worse and survived worse without even knowing it - so this is no new obstacle.

·         My friend, I and others will do everything to keep you and your family safe.

·         I will always do whatever I can to keep you and yours safe and happy. Always.

·         Thank you on behalf of America, even and especially those who won't say it, for joining us and making the US and the world a better place. I like to look around and imagine all the people who will be healed by the medical science you and your lab members create. I also like your homemade green tomato chutney and spicy jam, and look forward to giving you a big hug in Dec/Jan.

·         It's so hard. So, so hard. But we must get through this. There is no way back. Time marches forward and will carry us along with it.

·         As I said, America is proud to have you, only India is the loser. You will be yourself where ever you are and your babies are safe; they have you and their mother, no child needs more. I weep with you everyday. In India we too fight an insidious religious war, but somehow I feel more hope because we have the tools of Govt to fight with. The American people must make changes especially in the field of education. Make it cheaper so more children can afford to go to school and college. Instill a thirst for acedemia like we have in every Indian family. Stay America needs you!

·         You are exactly what our country needs! When you decided to become a US citizen, I was ecstatic. While the right has won the leadership for a short moment, there are literally millions of us who don't believe that crap. We want you and your family to be part of our future country.

·         I feel sorry for you, brother. This whole thing has me not wanting to file for citizenship. Who wants to be a citizen of a country that doesn't want you?

·         Inspired by your passion, our collective tears will carve a new landscape that will wash away ignorance and hate.

·         America is better for your citizenship! I'm so sorry- it's heartbreaking. We all have to have courage.

·         I don't have any words other than that I am so sorry.

·         It's so hard. So, so hard. But we must get through this. There is no way back. Time marches forward and will carry us along with it.

·         Have faith in the goodness of humanity. Be positive & never be afraid. Fear no one & believe in yourself. Love you.

·         I want you to remember please that more than half of the voters voted against the vile words that have been spewed. I hope that the next two years are filled with deep conversations about love vs hate. Your Minnesota family certainly loves YOU and your entire family.

·         There isn't much choice here, the flawed and outdated political system of the country has spoken. Even if you were to impeach this imbecile,eventually, you'd end up with Mike Pence as POTUS. So, the only thing that can be done is to wait and tough it out or be the one to start a movement to change the system. Trump presidency is a result of a flawed system and outdated mentality of a large group of Americans who are ill informed and know nothing about the world. You can't convince them otherwise.

·         We love and support you. We are also very proud to have you in our family.

·         You can come to Canada any time. We need good scientists like you.

·         My wife and I took cookies to the local mosque this afternoon, thanked them for being part of our community. We're trying to come up with constructive responses. Open to suggestions.

·         Too shocked for words. Strength to you and your family!

·         In my continued fascination with German history, I have started read about the White Rose movement. Interesting people and a few good reads to look at.

·          I have been thinking a lot about all those who are personally threatened by this result. I will stand with you. Tens of millions of Americans will stand with you. This is still our America even if we lost the election, and we won't stand for a government who creates an America where people feel threatened by race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.

·         Hang in there buddy. I know I'm in Canada and not in the US but your policies have cross border ramifications. I hugged my kids extra tight yesterday morning before I told them the results of the election partly because I felt I had let them down and I had misled them. Let me explain :

     The day of the US election my kids had their class election. On the ride home they told me about a kid that had gotten up in front of the school and acted just like Donald Trump. When I asked them what they meant by that they said - "he got up on stage and said he wanted to be class president because all of his teachers in the last 4 years had been garbage" he then said "He wanted to be president because there is too much homework and that he hates homework". He then took some pieces of paper and yelled out "you want to know what I think about homework?" He ripped up the pieces of paper and stepped on them. This was all in front of the entire school (grades 2 - 8 and all the teachers).

     On the ride home I told them that maybe the kid was tying to get attention and nothing more and that people like Donald trump that spread hate and anger never win....Broke my heart to tell them he had won.

     Just wanted to share this with you to let you know that we are with you my friend. Bullies and bigots may win every once in a while but without darkness there is no light! - sorry for the long msg.

·         Thank you all for showering my son with your love & the warmth of the rest of the family of daughter-in- law family as we are thousands of miles away. Of course the world has shrunk thanks to the internet. But it really warms our hearts to know that my son has a big loving fly looking after them.
     Maybe it was an election gimmick & Trump may prove that he is a better person. Lets hope & watch. My son,that is indeed the spirit to have. One has to accept the good, bad & the ugly. Life is no Utopia but looking forward & believing that the future is good for you & your children is the attitude to have. Positive thinking that from the worst if situations good emerges. Now wait & watch. Good Luck. I keep hoping Dec 9th the electoral college will vote for Hilary. If not now, when.

Our American friend replies to all his supporters. There is mixture of hope, despair and apprehension.

I am so proud to be a co-citizen with you. Here's hoping others don't have to suffer through the indignities your families had to. We shall indeed overcome.

Look forward to getting wasted on incredibly pretentious everythings to drown out this shit this Christmas. Sorry in advance that I will be drowning my sorrows with you.

 I know many of you arefully in this too. I'm sure things will resolve eventually, I just fear for our kids who represent such a target for the "pure breed" haters. I'm having a hard time with the guilt of what I'm putting them through. We so value the inherent safety, security, and comfort afforded by the friendship of all of you.

I cherish each and everyone of you, and I know you have my back, as I do yours. These last couple days have been really hard for many of us. I suspect the coming ones will be harder. While my fear remains, it isn't yet blossoming out of control because of you. Keep safe.

We can do this together! I have my fingers crossed.

Again, we were never unique in this the happy-go-lucky, devil-may-care nonchalance of chalta hai , ‘सब चलता है’ attitude, which may have led  to the phrase ‘डरना क्यों सबका होगा वह हमारा’. American Mad Comic was right on the nerve and presented Alfred E Newman with his toothy smile and who said, 'What me worry?'  

Not only in America but across the world, people are experiencing disbelief and a touch of apprehension at Trump being elected the US president. There were several protests, demonstrations and rallies over the result of the presidential elections. But most of them were peaceful. Leslie Holmes, a 65 year old website developer said,” I don’t want to live in a country where my friends aren’t included, and my friends are fearful, and my children are going to grow up in a world that’s frightening …”

Just a day after the election of Republican Donald Trump, Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi took a hard line against some of the comments the next president made about women while on the campaign trail. Nooyi said the disparagement of women is a negative strain in the world that has to be ended.

“Forget about the Pepsi brand. How dare you talk about women that way,” Nooyi said on Thursday morning, referring to comments Trump made on the campaign trail and in an Entertainment Tonight video roughly a decade ago that surfaced in October. “If we don’t nip this in the bud it is going to be a lethal force in society,” Nooyi added, in comments made at the New York Times Dealbook Conference in Manhattan.

When asked about the election result, where Trump beat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Nooyi responded, “is there a box of tissues here?” However, she then pivoted by saying the new administration will need to ensure the safety and inclusion of non-white people, women, and the LGBT community. “The first thing we have to do is assure everyone living in the United States that they are safe. Nothing has changed as a result of this election” she said. PepsiCo's CEO said that the election of Donald Trump is terrifying her employees.

"I had to answer a lot of questions from my daughters, from our employees. They were all in mourning," PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi told Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times' DealBook conference on Thursday. 

 "Our employees were all crying. And the question that they're asking, especially those who are not white, [is] 'Are we safe?' Women are asking 'Are we safe?' LGBT people are asking 'Are we safe?' I never thought I would have to answer those questions," Nooyi said. 

After congratulating Trump for his success, Nooyi, who supported Hillary Clinton in the presidential race, said that American citizens need to be assured that aspects of Trump's campaign were just "election talk." 

Nooyi said she was disgusted by the language Trump has used when discussing women. 

"How dare we talk about women that way," Nooyi said. "I don't think there's a place for that kind of language in any part of society, not in locker rooms, not in football players' homes, not in any place. And, if we don't nip it in the bud, Andrew, this is going to be lethal force that's going to take over society."

Nooyi said that there was an overemphasis on candidates creating sound bites and social media-ready quotes throughout the election, which resulted in a failure to discuss real political issues in a nuanced manner. 

Ultimately, Nooyi told Sorkin that she believes Americans needed to unite and accept the outcome of the election.

"The process of democracy happened," she said. "We just need to let life go on."  

The Indian scenario is no different. I shall cover the same in the Part II.

                                                                                            Vinay Trilokekar