I did not vote for Donald Trump and I do not support him but I

Host: The room is quiet, the gentle light from the lamp casting soft shadows on the walls. Outside, the world has settled into stillness, with the evening calm wrapping around them. Jeeny sits on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, her gaze distant but thoughtful. Jack, standing by the window, watches the darkened world outside, clearly deep in thought. The peaceful atmosphere seems to invite a conversation about society, leadership, and uncomfortable truths.

Jeeny: “Jack, I came across a quote from Daryl Davis today that really made me think,” she says softly. “He said, ‘I did not vote for Donald Trump and I do not support him but I believe that Trump is the best thing to happen to this country in a long time. He’s bringing out the country’s ugliness. There’s no turning a blind eye anymore.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He turns slowly, his expression thoughtful. “That’s a provocative statement. It seems like Daryl Davis is acknowledging something uncomfortable — that even though he doesn’t support Trump, he sees the exposure of deeper societal issues that have been hidden or ignored. In a way, Trump’s presidency has forced people to confront the ugliness that exists in the country, whether it's racism, division, or intolerance.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s like he’s saying that while Trump has been a divisive figure, he’s also acting as a mirror, reflecting back the ugliness in society that many people have been able to ignore or deny for years. Daryl Davis seems to be pointing out that in a strange way, Trump’s leadership is forcing this reckoning. It’s uncomfortable, but necessary if we’re ever going to truly address those issues.”

Host: The light in the room seems to soften as the conversation deepens, revealing an uncomfortable truth about society’s willingness to face its own flaws. Jeeny speaks with an understanding that Trump’s presidency, whether viewed positively or negatively, has sparked a deeper conversation about the realities of America’s social and racial issues. Jack stands still, reflecting on how political leaders, for better or worse, can sometimes force society to face uncomfortable truths that we might prefer to ignore.

Jack: “I think Daryl Davis is acknowledging a deeper kind of awakening. Whether or not you agree with Trump’s policies or his rhetoric, there’s no denying that his time in office brought issues to the forefront in a way that hadn’t been done before. It’s like Trump made it impossible to avoid the conversation about race, inequality, and the state of the country. He’s forcing us to deal with the divisions that have always existed but have often been overlooked.”

Jeeny: “Yes, exactly. There’s something about the way he’s shaken things up that has revealed what people were willing to overlook or dismiss. Daryl Davis seems to be saying that, while uncomfortable, this is actually a chance for the country to face these issues head-on. It’s like peeling back a layer of a wound that’s been there for a long time, and even though it’s painful, it’s necessary for healing.”

Host: The room feels still now, as the weight of their conversation settles into something more reflective. Jeeny and Jack reflect on how leaders can, intentionally or unintentionally, act as catalysts for societal change. Daryl Davis’s words seem to suggest that while we may not always like the mirror that’s held up to us, it’s through that reflection that we are forced to confront our flaws, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Jack: “It’s a hard truth to swallow. But sometimes, we need disruption to wake us up. Trump may have brought out some of the worst in people, but in doing so, he’s also forced us to have difficult conversations about race, privilege, and justice that we’ve been avoiding for far too long.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. The problem is, these issues have been simmering beneath the surface for years. Trump’s presidency has pulled back the curtain on the divisions and inequalities that have existed in this country, but many people don’t want to acknowledge it because it’s uncomfortable. Daryl Davis is pointing out that this reckoning is a necessary step in understanding the real state of the country.”

Host: The conversation deepens, the weight of their words settling in as they reflect on the broader implications of Daryl Davis’s statement. The idea that uncomfortable truths must be faced in order for real change to happen rings true, and Jeeny and Jack sit quietly, contemplating how Trump’s presidency may have acted as an unwelcome but necessary force to bring hidden issues into the light. The uncomfortable reality is that facing those issues is the only way forward — and it requires acknowledgment, reflection, and action.