He calls it the "modern Presidency" but in classic fashion even the word modern is out of touch in the 21st century. Perhaps it's the post modern version, but one thing is clear, our President eschews matters of dignity more often than not.
So just how much dignity should we expect from the office and the officer we call our President? I'm reminded of a student who entered my classroom about 20 years back. His first name was President. Yup, there it was, right on the official roll sheet and all the other school district documents. Davis, President.
His peers knew the story, or perhaps it had been passed around so much that by the time I officially asked him on the first day of class, I may have been the only one who didn't know the origin of his name.
I should mention at this juncture that the person so named was sitting in front of me with a strong persona. He was an African-American young man with a well groomed natural and a broad smile. He exuded self confidence and was verbally proficient.
"It's simple," he told me, and the remainder of the class who didn't know the story. "My mother wanted me to be respected at all times, and she figured by naming me President, everyone would call me by a name that demanded respect. She wanted her son to know respect at all times."
There you have it.
I believe that this President went on to become involved in the music industry as a producer of Hip Hop and Rap recordings. He certainly was articulate enough to perform himself.
So, here we are with a less dignified leader that probably won't inspire anyone to name a child after the office. Perhaps a few of his minions will take Mr. Trump's first name, but who'd want to be associated with the kind of dignity currently connected with this President.
Somewhere, I hear Aretha singing, R E S P E C T...find out what it means to me.
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