So far Trump’s campaign promises include deporting 11 million undocumented immigrants, walling our nation in, and banning Muslims from entering — thus proving that bullies really are scaredy-cats.

First he came for the Mexicans, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Mexican.

Then he came for the undocumented immigrants, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not an undocumented immigrant.

Then he came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Muslim.

Then he came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

— A reworked version of Martin Niemöller’s famous quote

We’re not quite sure why folks are expressing astonishment at Trump’s most recent comment — that he would ban any Muslim from entering the United States ... after all, early in his campaign he made absolutely clear that he wanted to deport all 11 million undocumented immigrants said to be living in the nation, and wanted to build a wall so impermeable and secure that no Mexican (rapists and criminals, remember?) or Latin American immigrant could get through.
The man is a bully, clear and simple. And like all bullies, underneath the bluster and hard words is a man wracked by fear.
The problem isn’t really Trump — as repugnant as he is.
The problem isn’t even his followers (who believe anyone who isn’t them is scaryscaryscary and so have mobbed and ganged up on those expressing dissent at Trump rallies).
The problem isn’t even Trump’s Republican cohorts and running mates, whose repudiations of Trump come late in the game; and who, when they say they see things differently than Trump don’t mean policy or substance, only word-choice and style.
The problem is us.
All of us.
Because we’ve aided and abetted the fear that’s given this bully and his terrified followers latitude to grow into their bullying. And we’ve done it by our silence. By making ourselves willfully oblivious.
For years we’ve ignored the fact that the comment sections of any web posting that has to do with immigration or Muslims fills with the worst sort of racist and xenophobic sentiment, even avowals that are just shy of physical threats. And we have not — as a people, as a nation — engaged.
For years we’ve allowed criminalizing and demonizing language slide, not naming it what it most often is — hate speech. Sure, we’ve contested it a bit ... but have we made these new criminalizing and demonizing words something that can be punished by law?
For years we’ve watched the discourse about immigrants and Muslims deteriorate in such a way that even legislators like Rep. Steven King feel free to go on the record, in our House of Representatives, vilifying  a whole subset of folks who may well include our neighbors, coworkers, even family.
Donald Trump was not made in a vacuum — he was allowed to become. And precious few of us had the foresight or fortitude to start fighting back when the first words of criminalization and demonization of immigrants and Muslims were uttered.
As with schoolyard bullies, there are a couple of things we can do:
1) Increase our awareness. Notice when and how immigrants and Muslims are being demonized.
2) Respond unequivocally to it.
3) Be protective of those who have been targeted. Verbally, in writing, in person.
4) Become involved. In Philadelphia, Juntos, PICC, New Sanctuary Movement, 1Love, and the Arab-American CDC all do important work. If you can’t join or volunteer, contribute.