Barack Obama was raked over the coals for his retort of metaphorically, “bringing a knife to a gun fight” by the right wing. People such as Eric Bolling, who is on suspension by Fox News, for allegedly brandishing his own meager weapon on social media, made a living accusing the former President of advocating violence and embracing thuggery.
Some of the same verbal rock throwing, then hide your hand conservatives, are now excusing Nazi flag waving, AR-15 carrying, machete wielding, romantically lit Tiki torch bearing “fine people.” I have thrown apoplectic fits listening to mostly white TV pundits talking about the “uncomfortableness” of having to say the President of the United States may be a racist, over the past few days. I have news for you folks, Black people in this country are not surprised at all, we are frustrated. For years we have been chronicling the problems of race and inclusion in America but apparently, no one has been listening.
The outrage remained under construction when it involved the deaths of unarmed black men and women or the loud and righteous indignation from groups like Black Lives Matter. The last brick has been laid now that a white woman has been run down and killed by a car driven by a hate-filled creep. It took this action to galvanize public opinion from both the right and left. Heather Heyer was laid to rest yesterday and even amid the most horrific tragedy a family could endure, the President of the United States has so achieved such a level of unacceptability that the victim of this hate’s family, refused to take his call of condolence.
The paraphrased quote of Maya Angelou has been overused for the past six months describing the President, when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time;
The quote I think best fits this President is, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”-Maya Angelou
The barrage of hate filled speak from the very beginning of the Trump phenomena has done nothing to add to the civility of America, the world, or any thinking person of decency. The only positive from this debacle of a Presidency is that the bandage covering the still bleeding wounds of racism in America need rebinding. It is hard to write something pithy or introspective at times like this because my spirit is angry and my country is hurting. The anger comes from the fact that this self-inflicted pain is a continuation, the hurt is from the willful lack of recognition of the obvious. The quiet admonitions by Republicans are welcomed by Democrats but when will Democrats stand firmly and loudly back Rep. Al Green (D-Tex.) or Maxine Waters (D-Ca.) calls for the removal of this abominable man child, who is holding what is considered the most powerful geopolitical position in the world.
It is time to stop tip-toeing around the obvious; the President’s virulent cancer on the reputation of America, patriotism, and decency is no longer tolerable. In the words of Republican Senator Ben Sasse, “Please Just stop!”
Vote, vote, vote. Please don’t stop!