11:30 p.m.

Can I get real for a minute?

I just did something I have never done.

I left the final night of political nominating convention early.

I am a political nerd of the highest order. I haven't even turned off the TV on the final night of a political convention before the balloon drop since 1984. This is not an exaggeration. This is the absolute truth. I have seen the every available moment of the speeches of the nominees of both Parties since I was 10. Tonight I left early because I was afraid.

Every night this week in Cleveland, the energy has waned as the hour progressed. By the time media left the Arena at 11 p.m., the building was only half full. Tonight was different. Mr Trump's speech brought delegates and their energy to a late night crescendo. Chants we heard all week increased in fervor, volume, intensity, and frequency—" Build that wall!" "Lock her Up!" "U-S-A!"

The police presence we experienced all week was more visible than ever.

It occurred to me 30 minutes into Mr. Trump's speech that when he finished we would be facing the classic problem of large venue events, say, concerts for example: everyone was going to leave at the same time. This would be the first time all week when we would all be streaming out at ounce. Trump supporters, fearing immigrants and criminals and hoarse from chanting about walls and locks would be in tight quarters with the liberal media liars. Team Trump is stoked by the discourse of the speech.

Keep in mind, RNCers had just undergone a week of hotel induced sleeplessness, long meetings, late nights, and cocktail parties. Then, throw in the protestors we would all have to pass as we left the zone of the arena.

Suddenly I was viscerally afraid.

Time. To. Go.

giphy

10: 45 p.m.

Trump walked on stage to uproarious applause about twenty minutes ago. In his speech, he insists that the American way of life is threatened by rising crime.

These are the facts:

Washington Post

Brennan Center for Justice

And even in one of the country's most dangerous cities, the trend is the same:

Wonkblog/Washington Post

9:48 p.m.

The RNC just had a big moment. Peter Thiel made a simple but powerful statement. "I am proud to be gay. I am proud to be a Republican."

The swell of applause was meaningful here in Quicken Loans Arena. It is not a watershed, but it is a nice little turning point in American partisan politics.

Too bad it is marred by Thiel's clear misunderstanding of what is at stake in the public policies supported by so many in his party.

With a dismissive wave, Thiel proclaimed no one cares which bathroom anyone uses. This is utterly false. Public bathroom use can be a life or death issue for transgender Americans. In fact, check out this public service announcement that aired during the RNC this week on exactly this topic!

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

And by the way, North Carolina's HB-2 isn't just about public bathroom use. The bill radically restricts the rights of LGBT residents of North Carolina. Who cares about that? We all should!

9: 09 p.m.

Right now we have a tale of two RNCs developing. Inside the Quicken Loans Arena, the party atmosphere is really picking up. There is a boisterous country band playing loudly. Delegates are dancing, waving signs, and dancing in anticipation of the nomination that will be officially accepted in just a few hours. At the same time, tensions outside are beginning to mount. All week protests have been relatively sparse and unfocused. Police have deescalated and defused swiftly. But even in this party atmosphere, word of the mounting protest standoff is filtering inside.

8: 22 p.m.

I had a chance to interview Pastor Mark Burns yesterday. He is spitting fire and shouting loudly on center stage in Quicken Loans Arena tonight, but when I chatted with him earlier he was soft spoken and genuinely thoughtful. I found his support of Donald Trump a bit baffling and I kept pushing him to understand what it was about his interactions with the candidate that led him to conclude that Trump IS the right person to support. I am still not certain Pastor Burns is chasing anything other than the unique spotlight opportunities connected to being a vocal African American Trump supporter, but he did have one compelling possible response: Pastor Burns believes that if we talk about race we deepen racism. If we talk about sex, we deepen sexism. For him, the only way to create equality is to pursue sameness, and that sameness is the greatness he seeks in America.

8:00 p.m.

The night is just getting started and per usual, Donald Trump keeping everyone guessing. After a wholly traditional presentation of the United States flag, Pledge of Allegiance and, rendition of the National Anthem, came a somewhat unexpected invocation from the Reverend Dr. Steve Bailey, Pastor of the New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church. Reverend Bailey's prayer invoked a interfaith God of all peoples, acknowledged racism in both its interpersonal and institutional forms, warned of the challenges of our fragile planet, and yearned for global unity among disparate peoples.

Close your eyes long enough during this prayer and you might think you were already in Philadelphia, as in already at the Democratic National Convention, which kicks next Monday. Clearly, Mr. Trump's prime show for tonight is not aimed exclusively at the Republican base. The great pivot has begun. Looks like we have an interesting evening ahead folks.

Melissa Harris-Perry As editor-at-large, Melissa Harris-Perry acts as a guide to the stories, experiences, challenges, policies, and defining pop culture moments of women and girls of color.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io