Relationships around the globe are shifting rapidly. These shifts are not because of Donald Trump.  Although his policies are likely to make things worse for everyone, the reality is that the American Empire is declining.  All the bluster over tariffs  and territorial expansion from Greenland to Gaza will not restore it. The ability of the U.S.A. to dominate others has been diminished by economic and political realities far beyond this current administration.  Whatever moral influence we represented was lost long ago. The cruel ending of humanitarian aid is the latest act of a country that has given up all sense of compassion.

The chaotic, cruel actions of the Trump administration are designed to obscure the real shifts taking place in our country. It should be obvious that Trump, with the aid of Elon Musk, has staged a coup, rendering the congress, courts, and constitution meaningless. In the pursuit of “government efficiency” the necessary functions of collective life are being destroyed.

People across the country are responding to the attack on immigrants. Faced with a militarized assault on our communities, people are demonstrating a courage rooted in compassion.  They are refusing to cooperate with federal officials, drawing upon constitutional protections, faith, and local support.

I am grateful to writer/activist Rebecca Solnit for her thoughtful discussion “The way we get through this is together.” Held on Martin Luther King Day, the conversation with Liz Ogbu, Akaya Windwood, Bill McKibben, Charlie Jane Anders, and Anand Giridharadas offers ways to “celebrate community and cultivate a pathway for hope in these dark times.” It is a rich, thoughtful discussion, reflecting expansive experiences by people deeply engaged in efforts to create a just and peaceful world. 

As the first week of Trump’s presidency unfolds, I have been thinking about key ideas they explored. One that I have found helpful is to consider the distinction between reaction and response.

The joy in Gaza at the announcement of a cease fire agreement has dominated the news. Announced on January 15^th, the 96^th birthday of Martin Luther King, the Biden administration said a cease fire would begin Sunday, January 19. Immediately people danced, hugged, sang, cried, and cheered at the possibilities of peace. It was an outpouring of relief at the end of a nightmare.

Across the country people gather at the end of January for a celebration of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is a time when we remember the people who struggled for a vision of America rooted in compassion, love, justice and peace. This year Detroiters organized to 22^nd annual commemoration under the banner “Six Decades of Mass Movements: The Struggle Continues.” Emphasizing our city’s long history in efforts for a just and peaceful world, the celebration is held at the Historic St. Mathew’s-St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, a home of the Underground Railroad in the 19^th Century, a critical site in the Northern Highschool Student Strike in the 20th Century, and an important place for organizing in the 21^st Century as we face continued assaults on the lives of people.  This year, the national celebration is also the day we will witness the inauguration of Donald Trump as the President of the United States.