Rahim Islam
“We’re going to rebuild our inner cities, which are absolutely a shame and so sad. We’re going to take care of our African-American people that have been mistreated for so long.” Donald Trump – June 7, 2016.
I have gone on the record for attacking Mr. Trump for some of the most bigoted and racist statements that he has made over the course of this presidential race. However, to be fair, if he says something good and of extreme importance to the African American community, I have an obligation to acknowledge it.
Let me begin by saying that I am an Independent when it comes to politics and I fundamentally believe that both parties have failed the African American community. A big reason why this has occurred has been the extremely poor political leadership that African Americans have received over the years, in addition to a general failure to unite around a common economic agenda. While we bear some responsibility, I will never let America off the hook for what has and is currently being done to African America families, children, and communities.
For too long, the issues critical to the African American community have not been on the “main stage” when it comes to American politics and American media. It is as if they do not exist or they have gone away, especially when we are so critical to the political outcome. Let’s be very clear, for the most part, African Americans dominate in every negative demographic and are nearly invisible in every positive demographic. Both are legacies of American slavery and this will not change by “pulling up our bootstraps.”
There were very few influential Americans, especially politicians, who even acknowledged what Mr. Trump did yesterday. The United States government, after much priding, has only issued a weak apology for slavery while the Congressional Black Caucus still cannot get a bill passed that will allow the American government to study the impact that slavery has had on African American people. America has been a party to discussions on reparations on several occasions, yet fails to see the social and economic damage the 400-year American institution of slavery has had on African American families today (it’s a no-brainer).
As I listened to all of the candidate’s “official” positions or platforms, I noticed that the issue of African American resources was never mentioned, except by Mr. Trump and on one of the biggest media platforms one can have. I watched every newscast and listened to nearly every political pundit (Black or white) and not one followed up on the inquiry. It is as if it wasn’t even said. This speaks to the real bigotry and hypocrisy of the mainstream media.
Yes, we have a number of issues that we must defend against but none is greater than the resource gap (economic) that burdens the cash strapped cities that the majority of us live in.
I am urging all African American leaders and other liked-minded people to reconcile and unpack Mr. Trump’s statements regarding the bailout of our urban cities that must be on the level of the billions we have given to foreign countries annually and the near trillion dollars that recently went to Wall Street. I acknowledge and thank Mr. Trump for taking this first bold step.