For over one hundred years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the world, to the people who have worked tirelessly to promote amity and peace between nations.
As of 2015, there have been 103 people and 23 organizations to become Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Among the winners are U.S Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Barack Obama, to prominent civil and human rights advocates such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai. So who may be destined to become the 2016 awardee and join the ranks of the Dali Lama and Mother Teresa?
Donald John Trump?
Yes, you read that right. The 2016 presidential candidate, Miss Universe owner, The Apprentice host has been nominated by one of the members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. While that doesn’t necessarily say much, as it is one of hundreds of peace prize nominations, it still says something.
1. He Isn’t as Big of a Loser as Cruz Made Him Out to Be
After the Iowa caucus earlier last week, Trump came in second, a drop from the lead he held until that point. Texas Senator Ted Cruz pulled ahead of the media personality and billionaire in the Hawkeye State, winning far more delegates than his competitor. It proved a toupee-esque hairdo won’t get you the faith of the Midwest, but the region is miniscule compared to the world. And the Nobel Prize takes people from all over the world into account. You win some, you lose some.
2. Trump: The Next Hitler or Mussolini?
3. The United States is in More Danger Than It Realizes
The Republican presidential hopeful has made derogatory and disgusting comments to people of every background imaginable. He insults religion, ethnicity, women…and he continues to find new ways to hurl insults at every minority inside and outside the borders of the United States. Perhaps some of the American public laughs off his comments, not believing a man so blunt and utterly problematic could ever be president. However, the polls, and even recent caucuses, show us that we should take his campaign more seriously. The United States has admittedly blundered quite a bit when it comes to electing a leader (see Buchanan or Andrew Johnson or Harding), but if history is to teach us anything, it should tell us not to make the same mistakes again.
4. Ruling With an Iron Fist is the Latest Fashion Trend of the Year
The man was nominated for his policies regarding Islam, as he apparently makes attempts at peace through vigorous demonstrations of strength. Hearing that, the images of dictators is all that flashes through my mind. Trump has been compared to Hitler several times over the past few months, not only for their views towards other groups of people, but for the way the public has responded to what they say. Americans are sick of how things are, they want better lives. Germans, in the aftermath of World War One, wanted the same thing. And when someone comes along and promises that better life, and says they’ll rid the country of every person who poses a threat to that better lifestyle—that candidate becomes incredibly popular. Perhaps Trump will be making more of a splash in fashion for something other than his hair or clothes.
5. The United States Has Moved Up April Fool’s Day
Perhaps Trump is just one giant joke. The billionaire has parodied himself on television and film before after all. But none of us know that it’s a prank yet. Not his supporters nor those who judge his policies are aware. The Nobel Prize nomination is just another piece to the puzzle. And if Trump loses the presidential nomination to another Republican, then he’ll finally admit he was kidding all along. Afterwards, we’ll all laugh about it over roasting s’mores, remininsce about the time he did the Ice Bucket Challenge, and move on (not really). We can only hope.
Some criticize the Nobel Peace Prize as being politically charged, used as a device to further one’s agenda. But as long as it is not Trump’s agenda, I think we just might be okay.