I’ll bet Dr. King was turning over in his grave
We all know by now that President Trump referred to Haiti and various African nations as “shithole countries” last week. As Trump himself might reflect, that was “very bad.” But I have come to expect those racist remarks from him.
What angers me is that the nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was at the White House on Friday when Trump signed the proclamation honoring King, only called Trump “racially ignorant and racially uninformed.” Huh? What in the world was he doing there? And it wasn’t only him. Trump was surrounded by African Americans, who were dutifully smiling and happy. All I can do is <face slap> and wonder what were they thinking?
King’s nephew, Isaac Newton Farris, Jr., also said that he doesn’t think Trump is racist in the traditional sense. Pardon me? Just what constitutes being a racist in the traditional sense? A physical threat? A term worse than shithole? The “N-word”? What?!
The King Center’s chief executive, Bernice King, is the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She said this: “Trump’s election could be a blessing in disguise. This is the opportunity for America to correct itself.” She must be kidding.
As an advocate for racial justice for over 30 years, I would have gladly canceled that trip—taken a huge pass and not shown up at all. It would have made an important point—that I could not stand next to a racist and smile. Dr. King’s relatives should be called on the carpet for taking part in the ceremony. I would have made it very clear that our President is racist and that words are very important. Then I would have stayed home and cried at what this country has come to under this despicable, and most definitely, racist person.
Susan Graham
President
Project RACE
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