Opportunity Lost

      Here is what Hamilton actor Brandon Victor Dixon read

   to Mike Pence

as the Vice President-elect was about to leave the theater during the curtain call after Friday night's performance of the show:

         “You know, we have a guest in the audience this evening.
        "Vice President-elect Pence, I see you walking out but I hope you will hear us, just a few more moments.  (Addressing the booing audience) There's nothing to boo about here, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're all here sharing the story of love.      
      "We have a message for you, Sir, and we hope that you will hear us out. And I encourage everybody to pull out your phones, tweet and post, this message is to be spread far and wide.
      "Vice President-elect Pence, we welcome you, and we truly thank you for joining us here at Hamilton: An American Musical. We really do. We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, Sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us, all of us. … We truly thank you for sharing this show — this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men, women, of different colors, creeds, and orientations.”
     Mike Pence listened to Mr. Dixon's speech then continued out of the theater, smiling, according to reports, as he stepped out onto the sidewalk.
     But what if, instead of turning and leaving in silence, our soon-to-be Vice President had risen to the moment and responded to Mr. Dixon?  What if this man who could potentially find himself in the role of  the most powerful leader of the planet  had taken a just a minute or two to assure Mr. Dixon, to assure all of us that there was no need for anxiety or alarm, that he was where he was for the very purpose of upholding our American values and working on behalf of all Americans, whatever their color, creed, or orientation?  What if Mike Pence had said something, anything, to assuage the fear many of us have  at this moment that we are about to enter an era of oppression against minorities, the vulnerable, people of color, Muslims, Hispanics, members of the LGBTQ community?  What if our Vice Presidet-elect had heard the message, understood it for the anxious plea that it was, understood what it was that was being asked of him and likewise understood at that moment his own position of strength and leadership? 
     What if Mike Pence had offered even the most minimal response, any  response, something as simple as "I hear you"?   Could those few words not have calmed, at least to some degree, the fear of many people in this country expressed in Brandon Victor Dixon's words?  Would not those few words, or any words of conciliation, understanding and leadership from  our Vice President-elect have taken us a quantum leap towards national healing and coming together?
     But no.  Mike Pence's silence to Brandon Victor Dixon's appeal continues.  Apparently our Vice President-elect took offense at Mr. Dixon's words, took them as a personal attack,

...as did our President-elect, who responded to news of the Hamilton actor's post-performance words with a barrage of tweets.

     His initial tweet was: "Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!"
     Mr. Trump soon  followed up with : "The Theater must always be a safe and special place. The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!"
     Brandon Victor Dixon replied to Donald Trump with: "Conversation is not harassment sir. And I appreciate Mike Pence for stopping to listen.";
      Trump shot back:  "Very rude and insulting of Hamilton cast member to treat our great future V.P. Mike Pence to a theater lecture. Couldn't even memorize lines!"
     What a golden opportunity was presented last Friday night to Donald Trump to seize the moment, begin to fulfill the beautiful promise of his election victory speech to reach out to all Americans, to seek help and guidance from us all, and to unite us all, Democrats and Republicans, people of all religions, races, backgrounds and beliefs.
     It was an opportunity squandered.  Sadly, once again ego trumped wisdom.

References:
http://fortune.com/2016/11/19/mike-pence-hamilton-musical/

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/us/politics/hamilton-cast-mike-pence-donald-trump.html?_r=0

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/social-media-explodes-over-hamilton-trump-duel/ar-

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/18/politics/mike-pence-hamilton-musical/index.html