DIVISION IN LEGACY

The recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump has stirred a whirlwind of reactions across various communities in the United States. Among these, the response from the American public is particularly concerning. The widespread belief that the incident was staged, either by Trump’s supporters or his opponents, underscores the deep divisions within our political landscape. This reaction goes beyond mere political disagreement; it hints at a profound and pervasive distrust and disdain for one another that transcends partisan lines.

The Political Divide

The divisiveness within our political parties has reached a point where the lines between truth and conspiracy are increasingly blurred. Governance is no longer just about differences in political ideology. This deep-seated animosity now appears to be woven into the very fabric of our society.

In America, our nation is divided into three classes: the elite, which includes government officials, corporations, entertainers, and political pundits; the middle class or bourgeoisie, led by intellectuals, teachers, preachers, and other professionals who conform to the elite’s whims and are content with modest living spaces and luxury cars; and the poor, who represent the masses and whose primary value in society is as voters. This division has fostered a culture where the elite, including leaders from corporations and both major political parties, are entrenched in their ideologies without compromise. As leaders rise and fall, the middle class conforms, complains, and mutters but adapts with agility, while the poor endure the elite’s decisions without any real voice on critical issues such as COVID-19, healthcare, Social Security, and pension reform.

Over the last several months, I’ve heard political elites and their supporting pundits refer to the novel “1984” by George Orwell as a way of implicating the opposition in acts deemed criminal, depending on one’s perspective. However, the reality is that neither side could ever mirror those in “1984” due to the absence of divine intervention and the inherent freedoms in our society. This misunderstanding is prevalent among those who use the novel to support their viewpoints. A major assumption in “1984” is that people can act as they see fit because there is no divine oversight. The very act of comparing our political situation to Orwell’s dystopia underscores a level of freedom and rights fundamentally absent in the totalitarian world of “1984.” Yet, much like in the novel, both the left and the right use platforms like podcasts to propagate their narratives, spreading lies and half-truths, and making implications about events such as assassinations.

This phenomenon was starkly evident in the aftermath of the reported assassination attempts on Donald Trump. Every single social media outlet I listened to either insidiously implied that Trump staged the alleged assassination attempt, or that Biden and his team were secretly responsible. Of the two scenarios, it ultimately comes down to motive. Why would Trump stage his own assassination? He would risk not only his own life but also the lives of everyone around him, including those truly impacted by this unfortunate lapse in judgment. Moreover, he is currently leading in many polls, his legal troubles seem to be abating following the Supreme Court’s decision to send back to the states the question regarding the immunity of the President, the recent dismissal of the classified documents case, and the ongoing troubles with the Georgia election fraud case—and Fani Willis. There doesn’t seem to be any realistic reason for Trump to place himself in that type of situation when he is winning on all fronts to the chagrin of the world.

Biden, on the other hand, has every reason to do such a thing—I mean the debate was enough to arrange such an attempt. But I don’t know what dirt Biden has swept under the rug, but it doesn’t seem to fit his character to carry out such an indecent act just because he is losing. However, there are questions about his cognitive capabilities and those truly running the ship at the White House that makes you wonder—could he have done such a thing? I honestly don’t believe he would have done such a thing, but Democrats and their pundits pretend Biden had no reason to order the assassination and Trump had every reason to stage his own assassination. Listening to Joy Reid, (who is the worst) and Roland Martin imply Trump staged the assassination was like listening to two minutes of hate on repeat for an entire week.

I am not saying that there are no lies being told on all sides. Everyone has something to sweep under the rug—and there are deep, dark truths that have been conveniently covered up. There could also be something deeper in this tragedy that remains ambiguous amidst all the smoke. While speculation burns about who shot Trump, stories surface involving BlackRock’s CEO, Trump’s selection of JD Vance, and Rupert Murdoch. A video emerges of the shooter in an BlackRock video and According to Newsweek, Murdoch aggressively preferred Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota, to be Trump’s VP pick. Would Rupert Murdoch or Larry Fink actually arrange for the assassination of a former president—and potentially the soon-to-be 47th US President? These allegations surface but are quickly swept away into the ether. This leaves us squabbling over who did what, why, and how, failing to pinpoint the responsible party and to ignore the fact.

The Problem with Our Youth

If we take a step back and closely examine recent events, one key theme emerges: violence. This isn’t just political violence but also ideological, educational, and religious violence carried out by young people. From mass shootings and persistent gang violence to violent protests, our youth resemble those from Orwell’s “1984.” In this culture, we have allowed our children to tell us what is right and wrong. We have set up our youth to have more faith in social media platforms than in their own parents. They rely on their own thoughts and ideas without fully understanding the implications, using social media to expose supposed evildoers. This mirrors another theme from “1984,” where there is a sinister undercurrent in our society. This is a massive problem.

There are also some among the bourgeoisie who, having not achieved their desired status, exploit gullible minds under the guise of truth. From wannabe pastors and teachers to podcasters with personal agendas, these individuals target children when they can’t manipulate adults. This is another indication of a deeper problem affecting our society’s fabric.

We have a problem with our youth. Mass shootings and gang violence, setting bodies on fire, and shootouts at Super Bowl parades—we have a problem with our youth. We lie to their faces and pretend, then wonder why. Pay attention, wake up. Trump could have staged that assassination, Biden could have set him up, and maybe the head of the Secret Service should resign. But none of that matters if we don’t deal with the problem of our youth.

The recent attempt by a 20-year-old to assassinate a former president highlights a disturbing trend among our youth, reflecting the troubled state of our social and political environment. This act speaks volumes about the current condition of our society, where the real issues are often overlooked because we are too focused on the so-called adults in the room. Meanwhile, our children, thinking they have the answers, are running around terrorizing people. It’s a shame—but no one is sounding the alarm.Ideological Blind Spots

In recent years, there have been numerous instances where young people, influenced by cultural social norms and driven by social media, have committed heinous acts. Social media platforms amplify extreme ideologies and often glorify violence, creating a toxic environment that can incite vulnerable individuals to take drastic actions. This cultural phenomenon is deeply concerning and requires urgent attention.

THE CONCLUSION

Amidst all this, we are so focused on ideology that we often ignore these harsh realities and instead waste time wondering who shot Trump. The response to the assassination attempt on Trump highlights a deeper issue: a society divided not just by politics but by a fundamental lack of empathy and understanding. Instead of addressing the root causes of such violence, we are quick to point fingers and assign blame based on our political affiliations.

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump is more than a political event; it is a reflection of the deep-seated issues within our country. The reaction from the American public, along with the broader public’s divisive stance, highlights the urgent need for a reassessment of our social and political discourse. However, realistically, this reassessment seems unlikely given the current climate.

Instead of getting lost in conspiracy theories, we need to turn our energy toward addressing the issues facing our youth. We should consider the type of legacy we want to leave for our children and focus on the upcoming election with that in mind. It’s time to set aside conspiracy theories and focus on building a future that prioritizes the well-being and development of our younger generation. Only by doing so can we ensure a stable and prosperous society for the years to come.

Now, I started writing this blog a few days after Trump was shot, on the day Biden resigned, and Kamala Harris stepped up to try and take center stage. The troubling events unfolding make me feel more concerned for our children's future than ever before.

Jacqueline Session Ausby

Jacqueline Session Ausby currently lives in New Jersey and works in Philadelphia.  She is a fiction writer that enjoys spending her time writing about flawed characters.  If she's not writing, she's spending time with family. 

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