Nelson’s Corner | April 2025

Resist!

Sarah Inama is a 6th grade history teacher in Meridian, Idaho. She would make a very good Minority Leader in the United States Senate.

You may have read about or seen news reports of her small heroics. Or not, since small heroics are quickly supplanted by news reports of gargantuan cowardice.

Inama had her 15 minutes of deserved fame by refusing to comply with an order to remove signs from her classroom including one which read, “Everyone is welcome here.” Apparently, that sentiment is radical leftist propaganda in Trump 2.0. I suspect the real offense was the accompanying graphics, which portrayed raised hands with hearts on the palms. The arms and hands included shades of brown. DEI!!!!

Inama initially complied, but a bit of reflection led her to hang them again. The befuddled administration and school board gave her until the end of the school year to reconsider her decision. I suspect she will not.

At the other end of the bravery continuum was Chuck Schumer, the current Democratic leader in the Senate, who crumbled and mumbled under pressure from Republicans and voted to support the Continuing Resolution which kept the government going until September. Schumer brought another nine Democratic votes with him. His rationale was that a shutdown would be devastating.

Keeping the government going, in the direction it’s traveling, is like filling the gas tank on a car destined to careen down America’s sidewalks, mowing down Black and brown people, trans folks, immigrants, the elderly, poor children and decency. Better we had stopped the damn car and borne whatever consequences ensued.

The political and social issues are so complex and numerous that it is hard to determine a strategy. It is not so hard to determine a non-strategy — rolling over like an obedient poodle whenever Trump emits a DOGE whistle.

But among — above —  the necessary political and judicial strategies is one simple word: RESIST.

Examples of rolling poodles are ubiquitous. The now-permanently disgraced law firm, Paul Weiss, capitulated to Trump’s demands and agreed to end anything with a faint scent of DEI and agreed to represent the liars and traitors among Trump’s minions. Profiles in courage they are not. Too much money is at stake for the millionaire partners.

Colleges and universities, including, but not limited to, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania, are folding like cheap lawn chairs under threats of loss of funding. Too much money at stake.

The remaining Republicans in Congress with a partial conscience are in lockstep with MAGA despite reports of their private revulsion. Those 6-figure part-time jobs with great benefits and loads of adulation are hard to find. Too much money is at stake.

Examples of cowering to preserve privilege are not hard to find.

Examples of resistance must catch up.

Think of iconic moments that changed, or at least nudged, history.

Rosa Parks moving up that bus aisle.

A lone man staring down a phalanx of tanks in Tiananmen Square.

Nine African-American students enrolling in Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

The young woman who defied police and videotaped the murder of George Floyd.

The young men who refused to fight in the immoral Vietnam war and served jail terms instead.

The Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi.

We are at risk of losing our imperfect democracy. We can follow the institutions or we can make the institutions follow us. It’s not just left-leaning activists who can make a difference.

Soldiers must refuse to follow unlawful orders. RESIST.

Immigration officers can refuse to enable unlawful deportation processes. RESIST.

Schools, colleges, corporations and other organizations can refuse to remove DEI missions or messages. RESIST.

Federal workers who have been illegally fired can refuse to leave. If they have to go, go out in handcuffs. RESIST.

Sarah Inama didn’t set out to be a heroine. She just didn’t want to be a coward. I have no idea what her politics are, but I know what her principles are. And they are stronger than her principal’s are. 

Pretty simple. “Everyone is welcome here.” That’s who we are. Or were.

We can be again. 

What can you do?

RESIST.