Tag Archives: Donald J. Trump

Here We Go Again: The Looming Battle for Affirmative Action — It Does Not Look Good For Black America

There may be no more difficult lesson to teach Blacks than the following one. The battle for racial equality will never end. ­The struggle will never end, but Blacks must also be mindful that opposing forces threaten their “victories” every moment. The concept of an irreversible gain in the American political system does not exist—anyone doubting the above needs to look no further than the anticipated reversal of Affirmative Action. The Affirmative Action issue landed in front of Supreme Court Justices 44 years ago with the Regents of The University of California v. Bakke.

The looming threats to Affirmative Action display why Blacks must be more vigilant regarding Black political and legal gains. Hilary Clinton’s failure to get Blacks out to vote during an uninspiring Presidential bid will serve as the foundation for decades of challenges to hard-fought legal rights gains for Blacks and many other groups in the new millennium. The above-anticipated challenges guarantee an uphill battle for the foreseeable future.

The long-term consequences of Donald Trump’s Presidency extend further than white supremacists and conspiracy theorists’ public appearances. The most significant accomplishment of the Trump Presidency was the confirmation of Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Please make no mistake; today’s overwhelmingly Conservative Supreme Court will dismantle what were always tenuous rights regarding Indigenous people, the LGBTQ community, and other people of color. The most violent assault the U.S. Supreme Court can execute against Black America is the dismantling of Affirmative Action. The dreaded moment that politically astute Leftists feared was inevitable is upon us.

Only the politically naïve are shocked that the present debate over Affirmative Action nearly seven decades after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decision that desegregated American schools is occurring. All surprised by this latest attack fail to recognize that a central pillar of this nation is white America’s determination to turn back the hands of time opportunely.

Challenges to Affirmative Action from places such as Harvard University and the University of North Carolina will eventually mute race as a factor in collegiate admissions. This issue of how impactful race should be in the college admissions process has been debated around for decades by Supreme Court Justices. Over time, we have witnessed opinions pivot from race being permissible to it now being a mere “plus factor” during the selection process. I fear that this latest manifestation of the U.S. Supreme Court with its three Trump nominees will deal the final blow to Affirmative Action.

Trust me when I say this is an awful moment for Black America. Yet, Black organizations and leaders have said little about this colossal development. There may be no more frustrating element to working on behalf of my people than prominent Blacks and the organizations they head remaining silent in the face of disaster. The looming attack on Affirmative Action may not be sensational enough for such people.

Yes, the battle for Affirmative Action is not as shocking as white law enforcement officers’ unjust killing of a Black man on American streets. No dramatic footage is associated with significant issues such as Affirmative Action, gerrymandering, and red lining. However, the consequences of such measures appear on the dashcam and body cam footage of law enforcement officers murdering an unknown Black man, woman, or child.

It is past that Black America abandons being so reactionary to sensational media-driven occurrences and applying a strategy toward being politically educated and astute because the failure to do so will result in Black America continually losing against well-organized adversaries. The old saying goes, “if you do what you always did, you gonna get what you always got.”

Let’s work to get racial equality; that would be different for Black America.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2022

 

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Dog Whistles Delivered Via Bullhorns: The Case of Donald J. Trump and White Nationalism

I am sure that not many were surprised at Donald J. Trump’s inability to answer the following question by Presidential debate moderator Chris Wallace in front of an audience of millions around the globe.

Are you willing tonight to condemn white supremacists and militia groups?” asked moderator Chris Wallace during the debate, adding, “And to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities as we saw in Kenosha [Wis.] and as we’ve seen in Portland [Ore.]?

As expected, Donald J. Trump fumbled yet another opportunity to partially redeem his image as an embattled figure. I am sure that there were many undecided voters seeking a reason to support Trump who cringed when he failed to definitively state his opposition to white nationalism.

Maybe, Trump deserves kudos for offering an indecipherable response that translated into unyielding support for white nationalist groups. Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Kamala Harris was quick to term Trump’s failure to denounce White Nationalism as “a dog whistle through a bullhorn.” In many ways, Trump’s response was akin to an open letter of support for white nationalist groups.

At this moment, no one, regardless of their political leanings, is shocked by Trump’s embrace of white nationalism. What Trump intended as a reminder to white nationalists should serve as a deciding-factor to undecided voters. There may be no more obvious reminder of Trump’s questionable character, priorities, judgment, and worldview.

If I were provided an opportunity to address undecided voters, I would remind them that character is an extremely important factor when leaders are being chosen. It is character that serves as an innate moral compass that equips them to weigh conflicting factors that impede the path to simple decisions.

After last night’s performance, there should be no doubt whatsoever that Donald J. Trump does not have the requisite character to rise to the occasion of leading the free world. I hope that undecided voters shudder at the prospect of such inept leadership and immorality residing in the White House for another term. In all likelihood, this nation will not emerge from such a travesty as the world leader that it has been for decades.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2020.

 

 

Platinum Plan Don: Why Black America Must Reject Donald Trump’s Desperate Pleas for Support

In a long-forgotten moment of brilliance, famed TV problem-solver Dr. Phil McGraw issued the following truism.

The greatest predictor of future behavior is relevant past behavior.

This insightful observation came to the forefront of my mind when I listened to Donald J. Trump’s “Platinum Plan” that has been targeted at Black voters in several key battleground states.

During a recent campaign event sponsored by “Black Voices for Trump”, the embattled political figure and failed businessman issued promises to Black America as if he were handing out candy bars.

According to Trump, if re-elected to the Oval Office, he would deliver the following to an economically struggling Black America.

If you vote Republican over the next four years, we will create 3 million new jobs for the Black community, open 500,000 new black-owned businesses, increase access to capital in Black communities by $500 billion.

As president, I will work to advance racial equity across the American economy and build back better. I promise to fight for Black working families and direct real investments to advance racial equity as part of our nation’s economic recovery.

Trump spoke as if he were addressing lowly enslaved Africans who solely depended on him for their survival. If one closed their eyes, it would not be a stretch to envision Massa Trump placing an extra portion of pork fat in the meal ration. As if his pandering could not be any worse, Trump promised to make Juneteenth a federal holiday while making a passing reference to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbrey.

Let’s be clear on this matter, Trump’s previous behavior during his first-term in the White House has left much too be desired from Black Americans. If we apply Dr. Phil McGraw’s quote that “the greatest predictor of future behavior is relevant past behavior” to Trump’s record, Blacks would have to be the very definition of naïve and politically immature to place any faith in the alluded to Platinum Plan.

Let us be clear on this matter, Trump’s desperate attempt to win the fast-approaching Presidential election will cause him to issue promises that he has no intention of honoring. One needs to look no further than his self-serving pandering to anyone or entity that he perceives capable of bolstering his crumbling foundation.

I pray with every fiber of my being that Black voters are not naïve enough to believe for one second that the boatloads of promises being made by the Trump campaign hold any real promise for the amelioration of their economic poverty and political powerlessness. From my perspective, it is impossible for a single-member of Black America to advance a logical argument in support of Donald J. Trump’s platform, an impossibility that is reinforced by his penchant to pander to White Nationalists on a Monday morning and Black America Monday night.

In many ways, Trump is a political chameleon whose changing colors are dictated by what needs to be presented to maintain power. It does not take much intelligence to sift through his rhetoric and determine that the most important element in Donald J. Trump’s life is not advancing Conservative politics, it is extending his ability to serve as a grifter seeking to steal everything in sight.

For Blacks on both sides of the aisle seeking a path to Black uplift, Donald J. Trump’s past behavior indicates that future decisions will not provide a reasonable path to uplift. Although I would like to say that my community should proceed with caution. The truth of the matter is that they should not proceed at all as Trump’s Platinum Plan is merely another form of fools gold.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2020.

Why Trump’s Radio Ads Should be Considered Offensive by Black Men: Joe Biden’s Ads Are Not Any Less Offensive Either

Earlier this week, I discussed that Joe Biden’s campaign was making a concerted effort to reach out to the often-ignored Black male voter with two political ads. Undoubtedly, these efforts by the strategist behind Joe Biden’s campaign are being conducted to ensure that the votes of Black men do not slip through the Democratic Party candidate’s hands.

I am sure that the Biden campaign is not overly concerned that Black men will vote for an embattled Donald J. Trump. However, there should be some concern that Black men may very well stay at home and not cast a ballot for either candidate. Hence, Joe Biden’s decision to court Black men with barbershop talk ads is a strategic move designed to encourage them to get out and vote in key battleground states. There is no one who believes that the Trump campaign will convince many Black male voters to vote for the embattled incumbent. Yet, the politically astute realize that he may not need many more than the 8% who cast a ballot for him in 2016 to steal a battleground state from Joe Biden.

As a firm believer in the saying “monkey see monkey do,” I knew it would not be long before the Trump campaign sent some form of communication to Black male voters residing in urban America. I did not have to wait long. The Trump campaign unveiled new radio ads that will run in urban areas such as Detroit, Flint, Raleigh, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The new ads featuring Herschel Walker and Georgia State Representative Vernon Jones are attempting to convince Black voters that they have nothing to lose by voting for Trump over Joe Biden. It would be wise for Trump to remind Black America that it was Joe Biden who created the 1994 Crime Bill that proved disastrous for many Blacks.

In the Trump ad, Herschel Walker shares the following fond recollections of the polarizing Donald J. Trump.

I’ve known Donald Trump for 37 years. He keeps right on fighting to improve the lives of Black Americans.

Vernon Jones is quick to second the spirit of the famed NFL running backs feelings by adding,

I’m a lifelong Democrat and I’m part of a large and growing segment of the Black community who are independent thinkers and we believe that Donald Trump is the president that America needs to lead us forward.

The above blasé statements by Herschel Walker and Vernon Jones remind me of automobile commercials that advertisers aim at urban Blacks. Ads that tell their target audience nothing about why they should purchase the advertised product. Positioned in the place of pertinent information such as miles per gallon or safety features is blaring music, neon lights, and stylishly dressed actors. Unfortunately for Black America, the alluded to fluff advertising has historically worked on Blacks. And as you well know, in the political world, if a piece of propaganda works, candidates will use the strategy over and over again.

It is time that Black America forced all politicians, not just those seeking the Oval Office, to provide substantive information regarding their platform and timetables for implementation in exchange for their political support. A bland blasé statement by Herschel Walker and Vernon Jones fails to meet that standard; in fairness, I must state that the Biden campaign usually fails to meet that mark as well.

I am certain that the politically astute within our community, regardless of their political leanings, care little that Herschel Walker and Donald J. Trump have been friends for nearly four decades. Friendships and connections to notable Blacks is a ridiculous reason for anyone to cast support for a political leader. Black America must develop its own political agenda to address its particular issues and demand its acceptance and implementation in exchange for our political support. Failure to do so proves that Black voters are still naïve enough to follow political leaders who remain committed to the grand tradition of “talking loud and saying nothing.”

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2020.

 

 

When Spreading “the Good News” Comes at Too High of a Cost: Understanding White Evangelicals Faustian Deal with Donald J. Trump

A recent Pew Research Center poll reveals that the foremost priority of White evangelicals is advancing their religiosity “by any means necessary.” Trust me when I say that nothing else matters to such folk. The alluded to seriousness has facilitated their agreement to what can be best termed a Faustian Deal that they believe allows them to spread “the Good News” in unprecedented ways; they’ve forgotten that the Devil always gets what’s due to him one way or another.

When White evangelicals were polled if they thought the term “morally upstanding” was an appropriate characterization of Donald J. Trump, 15% of them answered affirmatively, while 45% of like-minded individuals thought the characterization fit him “fairly well.” The perspective of White evangelicals stands at odds with the majority of Americans, 66% believe the above term fails to fit the embattled U.S. President.

White evangelicals appear motivated by a dubious set of beliefs that explain their draconian viewpoints and deplorable actions. According to White evangelicals,

  • America is a nation founded by “Whites.”
  • America is a nation founded on “Christian principles.”
  • America was founded to serve the interests of “Whites.”
  • The Holy Bible, meaning their interpretation of scripture, is the foundation of this nation.

The above beliefs form the tumultuous battlefield that political battles in this diversifying nation occur. Buoyed by a set of beliefs, philosophies, and conclusions that bolster their claims to ownership of this nation, White evangelicals are the very personification of the axiom that “all is fair in love and war.”

I will tell you that there was a time when I believed that White evangelicals were crazy; however, I eventually realized that they were merely following the footsteps of their ancestors by fanatically advancing a self-serving version of White Christian Nationalism. It is this realization that helped me realize that support for Donald J. Trump does not sit atop their priority list; despite their public espousal, even White evangelicals realize that Trump is morally challenged every moment of his life. That space is reserved for the championing of White Christian Nationalism.  Trump is merely an extraordinarily reliable tool that paves a path for the espousal of a White Christian Nationalist philosophy that serves as the most reliable means of extending white world supremacy.  

The same Pew Research poll mentioned above reported that the seemingly unbreakable tie binding White evangelicals to Trump were the unmistakable belief that they are currently winning the battle to spread a White Christian ethos under his administration. Of course, this is a stark reversal from an Obama administration that paved a path for the LGBTQ community to make tremendous strides toward center stage. The Pew survey reveals that 63% of White evangelical Protestants believe that they are “winning politically” under the Trump administration.

In many ways, it is ironic that as Americans reject Bernie Sanders’ Democratic Socialism for a greedy avaricious Capitalism, White evangelicals have grasped for religion in a way that reminds me of one of Karl Marx’s most reverberating observations. While larger cultural and economic forces stand as ominous threats to an increasing number of Americans, White evangelicals have predictably grasped for religion as their “balm in Gilead” to assuage all that is wrong with this nation. Marx summed up this moment when he wrote,

“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.”

At the present moment, White evangelicals are the most acceptable voice of a larger White Nationalism movement whose foremost demand is that this nation addresses their needs before all others. If the alluded to population had their way, there would be no separation between “church and state.”

In fact, the sub-discourse behind Trump’s ascension proves that evangelicals of every Race/ethnicity want their President to serve as an advocate for Christian ethos and principles. The reality that Trump’s public stance is a charade matters little to White evangelicals.

Why should it?

After all, the goal of warring factions of Americans is to win the never-ending cultural wars that lead to an increase in politico-economic power. Despite the protestations of progressives, White evangelicals are not only winning under the Trump administration but also eager to provide the embattled President with a second term if it means a continuation of their “winning streak.” After all, any White Christian Nationalist will tell you that this nation was formed to serve the interests of Whites and no one else.

May God bless America!!!!!!  

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

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