A Message From The Publisher
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
As a Black man in America, I’ve learned to listen closely when those in power take off their white robes and pointed white hats and put on red neck ties with their negroes in tow, begin to stoke fears and lean on threats. So, when Donald Trump suggested that “bad things could happen if I lose,” I took notice not out of fear but as a reminder. His words were more than just a comment—they were a direct channel to a dark part of American history where intimidation, violence, and division were tactics used to secure their position of power. It’s a message we can’t afford to ignore.
Trump’s BS (being stupid) isn’t new. For centuries, the myth of “bad things” happening if certain groups gain power has been weaponized to reinforce the status quo. We’ve seen it in calls to maintain “law and order” when Black people fought for civil rights, or when immigrants were framed as threats to justify exclusionary policies or be placed into concentration camps. Trump’s statements are mirror images of governments gone bad and more of the same—a coded warning meant to stir anxiety, a signal to his base to view this election as a fight, not just a vote. And in that coded message is a not-so-subtle insinuation: if things don’t go his way, he might not accept the outcome peacefully.
This message, aimed at destabilizing faith in democracy, is particularly dangerous for communities of color and marginalized groups who have often been the first to feel the brunt of political and social upheaval. Historically, Black Americans have been disproportionately affected when social and political tensions escalate. Jewish communities, too, know the pain of living under the shadow of coded language that targets them, while LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face escalating hostility and violence when leaders lean into divisive rhetoric. For immigrants, the fear that “bad things” could happen is an all-too-real reminder of how quickly rights can be stripped away and how precarious security can be when powerful people choose scapegoats.
We know all too well what can happen in this climate, Trump’s words are more than a prediction—they’re an invitation for supporters to reject any outcome that doesn’t fit his narrative and to see these communities as targets rather than fellow citizens.
The phrase “bad things could happen” also highlights a dangerous imbalance: Trump is willing to put our country’s stability at risk to keep his grip on power and not go to prison. For someone who claims to be for “the people,” his words show a willingness to leave all of us in chaos if he can’t win. This goes beyond politics; it’s about democracy itself and the dangerous precedent he’s willing to set if he refuses a peaceful transition.
As Black Americans, we know that democracy isn’t perfect, and it’s often failed us. But we also know how hard our ancestors fought for the right to participate in it, to have a say in this country’s direction. They faced violence, intimidation, and every other kind of barriers to vote—and they did it anyway. Trump’s “bad things could happen” comment is a direct threat to that hard-won progress, an effort to sow doubt and fear, not just for Black Americans but for Jewish people, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, and anyone who doesn’t fit neatly into his vision of America.
If there’s one thing, I’ve learned from those who came before me, it’s this: when someone tries to scare you away from the ballot box, that’s a sign of its power. When they threaten “bad things” if they lose, it’s because they know the stakes are high. So, let’s recognize this BS (being stupid) for what it is—a fear tactic designed to keep us from claiming our power and to pit us against each other.
Bad things have happened in the past, often targeting the very communities Trump implies he’d protect. But this is our time to decide the future. We are stronger together, and we’ll reject any attempts to divide us.
