Unity in Diversity: Resisting the Slide Toward Dictatorship

By Terrance Afer-Anderson
Special to the New Journal and Guide

If I might dare speak frankly. However we got here, in America, in this moment, in these troubling times, whether you like it or not, we are all here together.

With God’s grace, perhaps we can find the tenacity and the social and institutional aptitude to figure things out, together. Elsewise, we are certain to continue on a radically divisive course that will surely lead to our demise, making the U.S. a melting pot that truly has begun to melt.

It is worth noting that I wrote this piece just days before the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The timing of the two itself provides noteworthy commentary.

Let’s face it. With as broadly diverse as the country is, populated by myriad demographics, it is highly unlikely that any single group can alone sculpt an enduring, truly “perfect union.” 

Again, regardless of how we got here, we’re here now, all together.

And prayerfully, despite the historic human atrocities of chattel slavery and robbing indigenous peoples of their land, that greatly contributed to the U.S. becoming perhaps an unwitting melting pot, God given human diversity will ultimately, unilaterally be realized as the nation’s greatest strength.

Truth be told, despite its scandalous transgressions, the U.S. is singular in its might and distinctive rainbow of cultural beauty. That is as much owing to the Founders, whose vision, while not inclusive, was profoundly righteous in its ideals, as it is to the people who, despite being victimized by historic, voracious inequities, simply just want to contribute to help the American Constitution live up to its truths.

But we face two monumental challenges. There are people who find themselves bathed in the American consciousness, the odor, of its past deeds and can’t imagine that people who were so dastardly disenfranchised can forget the nation’s sordid history.

They are baited by their own fears and endeavor to protect themselves by the very same separatist practices that only foster further ignorance. They fail to understand that, if the nation has so blossomed, despite the wretched encumbrances placed on so many earnest souls, how much greater would we be if all groups had equal footing.

Yet, the most frightful challenge is the increasing army of U.S. extremists, including many who populate the halls of legislative, judicial, and corporate power, that today anxiously rattle razor-edged sabers, in resolute resistance to any form of equity.

They are not so much alone motivated by fear, as they are committed to practice the very same manner of tyrannical oppression that prompted their forefathers, American colonists, to flee their own native land, in search of cherished freedom and equity. Still, opting to cast such history aside, they vehemently resolve to retain power, even if it means surrendering the nation to an unforgiving, albeit undeclared, dictatorship.

I am well aware that there are many African-Americans who feel that to vote is an abject exercise in futility. That completely mystifies me. Where is the appreciation of our history, of those people, prominent and unknown, who not only participated in epic voting rights marches, but the many who gave their lives so that Black people would have the right to vote?

Do they not understand that it was only 60 years ago that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed? Many have grandparents that are much older. Do they also not know the Voting Rights Act is under assault? Why would people fight so hard to stop Black people from voting? It’s because our vote, very much like Black Lives Matter?

When someone doesn’t vote, they are actually casting a vote for all that they oppose. In this coming election, that could well prove to be what might become an American version of a dictatorship. Read Project 2025. If you don’t vote, Shame On You!

Terrance Afer-Anderson is a writer, actor, director and producer. He is also President/CEO, TerraVizion Entertainment Network.