“Always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wiesel

Yesterday afternoon on Facebook, from Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D):

Emanuel Cleaver II
After reading President Trump’s remarkably racist tweets about four of my colleagues, my most agonizing pain results from the seamy silence and notorious neutrality of those whom I believe to be principled people. When the President of the United States says something so racially vulgar, carte blanche, and then doubles down on such rhetoric, then great and widespread is their sin. Although I have a public and political record of not calling individuals racist, even when they are, right now I am being tested like never before.

Some of the responses:

Congressman, respectfully, it’s time. He needs to be called exactly what he is… Liar, racist, etc.

This is one of those times history is going to remember.

After the Holocaust, it was “Never Again…” except “Never Again” is right now and we can NOT let racism and hatred win. We can not let a man like this, and his followers, destroy the fabric of this country.

Emanuel Cleaver II, the majority of us need you to start calling it like it is, here. Your voice is louder since it’s ours collectively. Trump has crossed line after line. ENOUGH! Call him out!

Always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. – Elie Wiesel

Perhaps you are being “tested,” but not to remain silent, but to remain vigilant to the cause of justice. Perhaps you are to “test” the “seamy silence” that called your name so loudly. Perhaps it is your voice, Mr. Cleaver in a coalition with others needed to “test” Trump!

Please speak out. Our country needs to hear the voice of reason.

The silence is deafening. Thank you for speaking up. I’m so disappointed in those who say nothing!

Please go ahead and say it.

Scream it from the roof tops. It is the truth.

Could not agree more. How I’m the name of decency can they remain silent?

Dr King said, “Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our souls when we look the other way.” The racist-in-chief needs to be chastised loudly and long for the hateful rhetoric he spews which gives courage to the very worst in our society.

The “Silent Majority” of Americans which believes that diversity is what makes our country strong need to be shouting it from the rooftops! Please, be my voice in Washington, Rev. Cleaver!!

time to say it. way past time.

I’m so sorry. I’ll say it for you. They’re racists.

Congressman Cleaver, it is the Declaration of Independence which places the urgency in your soul. Whomsoever wantonly attacks the equality of citizens does not respect the ideal of our United States. We beseech you to not let the gravity of this attack go unanswered.

If this is not a sterile form of lynching then I don’t know what is.
I urge you to take a page out of the playbook of our beloved friends Daniel and Plillip Berrigan and made your voice indelibly heard.
We elected you to speak for us.
Feel our prayers and support as you go forth.

I can carry that load for you brother. Donald J Trump is a racist.