Daryl Davis, Donald Trump, and bringing out the country's ugliness...

Today, an American R&B and blues musician said something that made me look at Donald Trump in a new light.

Given what I think of Trump, that, in itself, is something approaching a goddam miracle.

Before today, my thoughts on the man were clear. I think he’s a dangerous, revenge-filled, egotistic, sexually rapacious, amoral, mean, disagreeable, narcissistic, soul-less, attention-grabbing, groin-grabbing, illiterate, thick, deluded, psychotic, son-of-a-bitch.

And that’s on a good day.

Bear in mind I may be wrong. And it’s only my opinion.

But that’s before I read the words of Daryl Davis. He’s the guy who, apart from being a sublime American jazz musician and anti-discrimination activist, attempts to fight racism by, for example, engaging and befriending members of the Ku Klux Klan.

Did I mention that he’s black?

Well…today I came across something that he said. Something that gave me food for thought.

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’.

It’s the kind of quote that stops you in your tracks and makes you think twice. Maybe even three times.

It's the kind of quote that gives you a new per perspective…puts a new spin on things. Not in a way that excuses Trump’s inhumane behaviour or beliefs (it couldn’t do that in a million years). But in a way that destroys your opinion of a country that you once thought great.

Then again…I don’t suppose that any Americans who voted for Trump will lose any sleep over my opinion. And that’s their right.

Just like it’s my right (glaring open-mouthed from the outside looking in) to feel immensely sad that it’s come to this.

And I worry that, when the dust has settled and they realise the mistake they’ve made, who is going to be around to pick up the pieces and start again.

And do it right this time…