In Donald Trump's early presidency, his administration has mastered one tactic: chaos. Whether you support or oppose Trump’s measures, his team is deliberately and effectively deploying a strategy to overwhelm the public. As PR expert Evan Nierman, the founder and CEO of global crisis PR agency Red Banyan, told AFP’s Frankie Taggart, "Flooding the zone" ensures no single controversy sticks, a strategy used by authoritarians and championed by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon. It’s highly effective.
I’m trained to calmly make order out of chaos, and even I wasn’t sure where to direct my energy and attention last week. It felt like the early days of the covid pandemic. On Friday, I was grappling with what constructive contribution I could make amid the panicked media coverage, when Dr. Cedric L. Alexander, Psy.D called.
Programming note: On Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8 pm EST / 7 p CST / 5 PST, Dr. and I will be streaming live on Substack, answering your questions and discussing a concept of safety that includes psychological, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Please mark your calendars, download the app, and join us. We’d love to spend the hour with you.
Cedric is a lifelong Republican, a law enforcement veteran and a clinical psychologist. I’d edited and produced his work while I was at The Washington Post, and we’ve stayed in touch. On Friday, he asked me what I thought about “all this,” meaning Trump’s executive orders, some of which are unconstitutional, as well as the Jan. 30 press conference the president held about the fatal mid-air aviation crash between an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter. At the briefing, Trump suggested Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives were somehow to blame for the more than 60 deaths because people with mental and physical health issues, as well as anyone who is not a White, straight man is legally allowed — and encouraged — to apply for jobs in the federal government.
I told Cedric I’m deeply concerned but am working hard to stay pragmatic and to find ways to discuss the threats I see to health, safety and freedom without alienating people who support Trump. Then I asked, “What do you think?”
“I don’t believe you’re getting angry enough. Trying to maintain some sense of decorum — this is really something this country needs to be pissed off about,” he told me. “We have to, you have to stand up, you have to say something, and we have to do it as a nation. And I don't care whether you're on the right or the left. I'm not changing my political party because of this movement that is going on now. I see myself as a Republican yesterday. I’m a Republican today. I'll be Republican tomorrow.”
Cedric and I have very different backgrounds, which is exactly why I needed to hear his perspective. And it’s why we got on Zoom and recorded our conversation, so that you could hear it, too. I encourage you to take the time to play the video at the top of this page and reflect on what we discuss. (If it won’t play it, let me know.) This is not intended to sow panic, although it should make you concerned.
Cedric and I reflect on what he sees as America’s psychological depression, the safety issues that internal division can create, and strategies to respond to official efforts to gaslight, overwhelm and divide people. We also discuss how to act individually and locally when the larger system feels out of control.
In the video, I include clips from President Trump’s Jan. 30 press conference. Here’s a link to Trump’s full comments, in case you want to see how I trimmed down the summary of his sentiments.
Listening / watching guide
0:00 — Introduction of Cedric Alexander and his background
Cedric Alexander is as a law enforcement expert with more than 40 years of experience, including roles in Minneapolis, DeKalb County, and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. He’s an author and the former national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives as well as the former Federal Security Director for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
2:07 — Reflections on the Trump administration's first two weeks
Reflection on Trump press conference regarding a Jan. 29 aviation crash, in which president calls for unity and stokes division.
Tactics to confront bigotry, not fall into trap of cowardice.
Cedric warns that the internal threat of division puts the nation "on one knee,” making the country vulnerable to external threats.
Discussion of competent leadership, ability to attract “best and the brightest.”
Cedric asserts “this is not about Donald Trump.” It’s about the American people and the conditions that elevated him. Kate asserts this crisis is not in a vacuum. It is the result of deep dysfunction and trauma within society and inability to sit with discomfort.
24:18 — Managing, responding to agents of distraction
American citizens, media, public officials can use critical thinking to identify agents of distraction and refocus line of questioning, reflection.
Cedric emphasizes that DEI policies are not about giving jobs to unqualified individuals but about raising awareness and fostering a more inclusive environment.
29:30 — The impact of political polarization on public safety
Broader implications of political polarization on public safety and national security.
Kate and Cedric emphasize the importance of collective responsibility and role of local communities in addressing the root causes of division and promoting unity.
31:56 — The role of media
Kate and Cedric discuss the role of media in shaping public perception and the importance of precise language.
They call for a more nuanced and critical approach to reporting that goes beyond fear-based narratives.
Kate emphasizes the need for media to hold leaders accountable while also promoting a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
34:09 — The psychological state of the nation 34:09
Cedric describes the nation as depressed, with anger, frustration, and sadness being common emotions.
These emotions are symptoms of a deeper malaise that requires collective action to address.
Kate and Cedric call for a shift towards compassion, understanding, and genuine dialogue to promote healing and unity.
35:44 — The importance of local action and personal responsibility
Emphasis on practical steps that can be taken at the local level to promote unity and address systemic issues.
40:53 — The role of compassion and understanding in unity
Genuine compassion and understanding of self and others are essential for building a stronger and more resilient nation.
43:47 — The need for critical thinking and deep reflection
Superficial solutions and fear-based narratives are not sufficient to address underlying issues.
A more nuanced and comprehensive approach considering the broader context and systemic factors is needed in public discourse and policy-making.
44:08 — The future of public safety and national unity
A united and compassionate nation is essential for addressing external threats and promoting a more secure and prosperous future.
Hi, I’m Kate…
I’m a writer, filmmaker and strategic reformer focused on the relationship between mental health and democracy. Connect with me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
At The Washington Post, I was part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for our coverage of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. I also pioneered a column on mental health and society and led a video production team. I left corporate media to create Invisible Threads, a project supporting wellbeing through narrative transformation. My work examines the individual, communal and systemic forces — and stories — that keep people isolated and unwell. We have to know better to do better to feel better.
I’m also a fellow at Georgetown University, focused on efforts to transform cycles of trauma into cycles of wellbeing. This deepens work I’ve pursued for more than two decades, from reporting on an authoritarian regime in post-genocide Cambodia and declining democracy in Hong Kong to the 2021 U.S. insurrection.
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