Click Here to Read the Article Full Article Below: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”(Proverbs 12:22, NIV) This election cycle has highlighted something we see and hear so often that many have stopped being outraged about it. That “something” is lying. In the world of politics and the larger society, the response to egregious acts by one or by the few is often, “Well, everyone does it.“ When I was a child—and perhaps you had the same experience— trying to downplay some lie or bad deed by attempting to deflect and bring others in the wrong. “Johnny did it too!” was met with a swift and strong rebuke from my mother, “I am talking to YOU!” This is Called “Moral Equivalence” Moral equivalence is the concept or rhetorical device that suggests two actions or behaviors, which may differ in degree or context, are equally morally wrong or right. It is often used in debates or discussions to compare actions by arguing that one is no worse or better than the other, even if the situations or outcomes differ significantly. (OpenAI 2024) Interestingly, this childhood ploy is still being used by adults. As an example and learning moment for this issue, I give you Donald J. Trump. To the fact that this man is a liar cannot be disputed. The phenomenon of the abundance of his lies have normalized the behavior for many. It’s become like the scar that looses sensation. It’s like all the junk in a room that is no longer noticed. It is the thing that no longer produces outrage as it once did. Moral equivalence is among the weakest of all arguments and responses. In essence, this is not much different than the events that took place in August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia, during the “Unite the Right” rally. It was a gathering of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and far-right groups protesting the planned removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Hundreds of white supremacists marched through the University of Virginia’s campus carrying torches and chanting racist and anti-Semitic slogans such as “Jews will not replace us” and “White lives matter.” They clashed with counter-protesters, leading to several injuries and the death of Heather Heyer who was hit by a car. To this racist gathering, then President Donald Trump stated, “There are good people on both sides.” The worst response is making peace with lies and attempts at moral equivalence by accepting and accommodating abhorrent behavior. Some may think, “That’s just the way it is.” If that was the attitude of our African American ancestors, we would still be segregated, unable to vote, locked out of opportunity, uneducated, giving deference to White supremacists, and much more. If there is any group of people who will not settle for an evil or ungodly status quo, it is Black people. It has often been said that African-Americans are the moral conscience to our nation. The survival and flourishing of African Americans, despite centuries of oppression, symbolize resilience, hope, and the enduring belief in the possibility of change. Their continued pursuit of justice often forces the broader society to reflect on its moral compass and reconsider what it means to be an ethical nation. African Americans have played a pivotal role in calling the U.S. to a higher moral standard, reminding the country that its true greatness lies in achieving justice and equality for all its citizens. By continually exposing the disconnect between American ideals and realities, African Americans have often acted as the moral conscience, pushing the nation toward a more just and inclusive future. (OpenAI 2024) So it is interesting, that this election cycle features the most egregious liar among national politicians we have witnessed in our lifetime seeking to re-occupy the highest office in our nation, former President Trump (DJT). It is fitting that he would be held to account by a Black woman, Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee for President of the United States after the courageous act of President Joe Biden stepping aside. It is also ironic that DJT may be defeated by a woman and Black person, representing individuals who have been disparaged by him for decades. History may show that the presidential debate of September 10, 2024 was a vital component in the undoing of DJT and the MAGA movement. Kamala Harris’s rhetorical domination of Trump triggered outrageous and unguarded responses from him. People who are deceitful and lie depend on obfuscation and systems of concealment to hide their true nature and deeds. What 67 million people saw on that evening cannot be unseen. It will forever live on YouTube and the transcript will always provide documentation. It has become the receipt of an event that can never be denied. During the civil rights movement, one of the strategies was to expose the racism of people in the South who opposed the ...
