Urban Elect

BEING A TRUMP SUPPORTER WHILE BLACK: THE ALBATROSS AROUND MY NECK!!

By all accounts, from those whom loathe our President, I stand as a huge supporter of Trump. Since Trump only gained 8% of the black vote, for me to recite the Rodney King slogan of, “Can’t we all just get along”, when referencing our new President elect does not digest well for many. And for me to be known as a black person supporting Donald Trump is comparable to me wearing a confederate flags shirt while walking in South Philly, Brooklyn, and/or Compton. But did I truly earn this title? Let’s see. I thought (and still believe) that black and brown people should explore all of our political options. Next, I would not denounce Donald Trump. And moreover, my mantra was, “If he wins the election let’s give him a chance. He cannot be any worse than Hillary.” My buddy Wayne has stated he’d rather the evil he knows(Hillary) over the evil he has not experienced (Trump). And of course I differed on his sentiment. So as everyone in my immediate circle bashed Trump, I kept on with the tag line of, “he is the President. So let’s see what he plans to do.”

I expected, or hoped, the tweets to stop and Trump’s progressive agenda would manifest. And specifically for the black community, I expected for the small business minority agenda to be a focus, the urban school district to be addressed, and crime in Chicago to be a priority. Now let’s review how Trump has fared: 1) He continues to tweet like crazy. 2) The revolving door within the White House staff is alarming. 3) Small business initiative has some proposed changes as Linda (WWE) McMahon heads this division. I will wait and see how that goes as the verdict is still out. 4) The urban schools are not mentioned. And on top of that, there are murmurs that the Department of Justice plans to investigate universities’ affirmative action policies for anti-white bias! 5) Chicago remains a bang-bang town from all local and national accounts. Furthermore, repealing Dobbs-Frank Act, proposing to reinstate police property seizures initiatives, and the president more than suggesting for the police should exert violent acts when he stated, “when you see these towns and when you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon—you just see them thrown in, rough—I said please don’t be too nice.”

With all the legislation coming out of the white house, it seems that Trump: 1) has no issue with the current state of our environment, 2) do not care to give transgenders any form of preferential treatment or leeway, 3) is very friendly towards big business in regards to repealing restrictive regulations, 4) and he trust businesses to self-monitor and regulate their own action vs. being forced follow government mandates in regards to consumer and worker safety/ reporting measures.

Now back to me being caught up in the supportive Trump pigeonhole. Within every social gathering place, worksite, and causal setting where I previously announced how the black community should give Donald J. Trump an opportunity to earn our trust and respect, I am the target of head shakes and the dreaded finger wag. “What you have to say about your Trump now”, stated by my mountain of critics. Over and over and over the condemnation for wanting to give Trump “a chance” all while being a black Trump apologist bares the weight of an albatross around my neck. My explanation of, “don’t worry. This is purely shtick. You will see Trump flip the switch on those extremist any minute now”, is getting harder and harder to justify. I feel like the former White House Press secretary, Sean Spicer, wherever I walk into the room. Having to explain every irrational action from Trump becomes a never ending ulcer producing moment. My pro-black status and hood pass are being challenged. If Trump fails to corral Jeff Sessions and he does not do an about-face on some of his stances, I will have crow to eat for months; if not years. Yikes!!!