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There's a febrile debate in Trumps rustbelt. I want to be part of it
Friday 10 February 2017 19.10 GMT
...
While not opposed to boycotts in principle, I suspect one by authors and academics will have little impact on a president who doesn’t read. A boycott of the companies with links to his businesses is likely to be more effective, as Trump’s angry tweet about Nordstrom dropping his daughter Ivanka’s apparel line illustrates.
I’ve lived in the UK for 30 years, but I am still American. Staying away would be like shunning family. Besides, I am a historical novelist, and want to bear witness.
Everywhere I went in the US I felt something in the air. The most accurate description of this atmosphere is febrile: “characterised by a great deal of nervous excitement or energy”. The Trump administration is busy repealing regulations – on banking, the environment, healthcare – that will have huge impacts. But something about the travel ban has disturbed Americans more than anything else. Maybe it has reminded us that, unless Native American, we are all originally from somewhere else.
Normally apolitical citizens are calling their senators, signing petitions. Institutions are protesting as well. The Museum of Modern Art in New York slyly rehung some of its rooms with art from the banned countries. In Manhattan I stumbled across a demonstration of Google employees and watched as they shouted: “This is what democracy looks like!” Demos often embarrass me, the way clapping along at a concert does. But this one brought a lump to my throat.
...
While not opposed to boycotts in principle, I suspect one by authors and academics will have little impact on a president who doesn’t read. A boycott of the companies with links to his businesses is likely to be more effective, as Trump’s angry tweet about Nordstrom dropping his daughter Ivanka’s apparel line illustrates.
I’ve lived in the UK for 30 years, but I am still American. Staying away would be like shunning family. Besides, I am a historical novelist, and want to bear witness.
Everywhere I went in the US I felt something in the air. The most accurate description of this atmosphere is febrile: “characterised by a great deal of nervous excitement or energy”. The Trump administration is busy repealing regulations – on banking, the environment, healthcare – that will have huge impacts. But something about the travel ban has disturbed Americans more than anything else. Maybe it has reminded us that, unless Native American, we are all originally from somewhere else.
Normally apolitical citizens are calling their senators, signing petitions. Institutions are protesting as well. The Museum of Modern Art in New York slyly rehung some of its rooms with art from the banned countries. In Manhattan I stumbled across a demonstration of Google employees and watched as they shouted: “This is what democracy looks like!” Demos often embarrass me, the way clapping along at a concert does. But this one brought a lump to my throat.
...
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/10/debate-trump-rustbelt-us-travel-ban
