Brief reflection on Trump's election

“Were you expecting the result?” someone asked me.

I was, actually.

I was anticipating a closer fight, but I did have a gut feel that Trump would win.

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t rooting for him to win. But recent global events like Brexit showed a swing towards protectionism and a preference for tough, no-nonsense, heavy-handed leaders, like Duterte.

I’m not saying that protectionism was the only reason that Trump won. From what I understand, there are those who, after a long and painful struggle, decided to vote for him because they could not bring themselves to put faith in Hillary. (A decision I would admittedly struggle with too, if I were in their position).

But I do think protectionism did play a role in Trump’s victory. People are scared. Fearful. Uncertain over the future.

Those fears and doubts may be justified: some people may genuinely be coming from hard places and undergoing difficult times. Some would have thought they had legitimate reasons to vote as they did. 

However, it could also be that their uncertainties have been stoked by the twin flames of the politicians and the media.

Either way, the inclination towards protectionism and Clint Eastwood-type leaders do indicate a yearning for security. Or rather, a yearning for someone who seems like he / she can offer that security. As humans, we naturally feel that protecting our own interests is better, easier, more practical than reaching out to others, rubbing shoulders with others, sharing our lives with others.

It is after all, a lot harder, a lot more painful to live alongside other people.

On a (not so) side note, hopefully those of us who have found security and refuge in Christ – are willing to love others, with a kind of reckless self-sacrifice. Not because we – on our own – are capable of loving, but because Christ first loved us and poured out that kind of reckless, self-sacrificial love.