As an American I get your Trump protests – but they'll have no effect, and here's why

When I lived in the UK for a short period, I heard more negative remarks about Donald Trump than I ever did while living in the America.

Sometimes, it felt as if US politics was the UK’s version of trashy TV. My English friends liked to gripe about Trump endlessly – by their own admission, it was hard for them to peel their eyes away from the screen.

For America, a world with Trump isn’t something we can choose to turn off; it’s a show that we have to watch for 922 more days (at least), and we all know its not likely to have a happy ending.

So when I heard Brits were planning protests against Trump, I wasn’t surprised. But as you only have to put up with him in your country for a few days, I don’t have too much sympathy.

Don’t get me wrong; I feel the same way as the many angry protesters. Regularly when I see a headline with Trump’s latest inflammatory statement, I think to myself: this is the man chosen to represent the country I so proudly call my own?

All the same, he’s America’s chosen president, and the horse I’ll ride for another two – or god forbid, six – years.

Trump is, of course, not a typical president, and in fact many in America feel that way. But whether we like it or not, he reflects something of what our country is, and that’s not something we can ignore.

In the run up to Trump’s arrival in London, I’ve heard a number of reasons for planned protests. The one I disagree with most is Leo Murray’s argument, the mastermind activist behind the giant Trump balloon that will float over London. He says that his balloon is “not a protest against America or Americans, but against what Donald Trump is turning America into”.

Although I applaud his peaceful way of protesting, his statement is quite contradictory.

Americans and what America is turning into are one and the same – but one man and one or two terms of a presidency will not define the country. The beauty of our political system is that we have the opportunity to decide every four years if we want to go in another political direction, and after Trump’s term we may well do just that.

There is a lot of divisiveness in America right now because of Trump, but we need to have more productive conversation about the core of what he’s trying to accomplish, rather than focusing on distractions that he himself creates, or on the prospect of a massive balloon floating across London.

To the protesters in the UK, marching against him just as we have in America is terrific, but will only get you so far. What we really need is conversation. It is time to roll up our sleeves, push aside our political biases and distractions and work towards a more productive resolution to the issues that face us all.

So by all means, fly a giant orange baby Trump balloon all across the UK, but don’t think for a second that it’ll have any meaningful effect.

I do hope the angry protesters can keep the anger targeted on Trump, and far, far away from the Americans that call your lovely country home.

Recently, the US embassy in London sent out a message to all Americans, urging them to stay on alert and be aware of large crowded areas that may become violent during Trump’s visit.

Trump’d first visit will trigger mass protests across your country. As America’s older, well-behaved sibling, I hope Britain can maintain its even-tempered character.

Perhaps instead of worrying about what America will turn into, you can instead focus on how it is affecting you all.

So by all means, make some noise. We in America certainly have been doing so since this particular president was elected. Just be realistic, because I can guarantee you there’s nothing you will say that we Americans haven’t said already.

Eventually, when the antics subside and emotions begin to fade, the real conversation will begin.