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The Oklahoma Eagle Editorial: #StayWoke As The Trump World Turns Walmart Racism
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John Neal, All-Black Towns, Black Towns, Oklahoma Black Towns, Historic Black Towns, Gary Lee, M. David Goodwin, James Goodwin, Ross Johnson, Sam Levrault, Kimberly Marsh, African American News, Black News, African American Newspaper, Black Owned Newspaper, The Oklahoma Eagle, The Eagle, Black Wall Street, Tulsa Race Massacre, 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

The Oklahoma Eagle Editorial: #StayWoke As The Trump World Turns Walmart Racism

Trump Turns His Eyes Toward African Americans

The first year of the presidency of Donald J. Trump has been of course eventful. He has pursued controversial campaigns against Muslims, Mexicans, Koreans and Asia. In recent weeks his attention has turned to Africa and African Americans. A year of indifference toward African Americans seems preferred at this point. What is to be made of this new interest in relations with Black Americans? Recent history shows it isn’t going to be good.

It appeared to start with Trump’s views toward Haiti and African nations he referred to with an ugly slur. He says he did not say the term but, others in the meeting have confirmed the comment made to state his preference for not helping nations he thought were unworthy of American help in regards to migrating to the United States. He preferred citizens of mostly white Norway to immigrate to America. Those sentiments were roundly criticized as insensitive and perhaps racist. Trump was not done commenting on African American issues or on some of their leaders.

Congressman John Lewis was critical of Trump’s comments and Trump said Lewis should instead concentrate on cleaning up his own district. Lewis’ district is of course not as Trump described. It was of course a low blow to the civil rights icon. Music superstar Jay-Z was asked by Van Jones if it’s ok for Trump to say terrible things but put money in our pockets? This after Trump claimed that African American unemployment has dropped to all-time lows. Jay-Z said the money doesn’t equate to happiness. He said it “misses the whole point.”

Experts explain the disparity in unemployment rates to several factors: Hiring discrimination, lower educational attainment and a higher rate of people with criminal records, who are barred from many jobs. Despite the disparity there has been progress over the years. In 1990, only 11.3 percent of African Americans had four-year college degrees, compared to 22 percent for whites, according to Census data. In 2017, those numbers had risen to 24 percent and 34.5 percent. Some neighborhoods would be surprised there have been noteworthy improvements in their lives.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson had some choice words for Trump from the pulpit of the Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Md. He spoke Sunday and said African Americans need to turnout at the polls in the coming elections. He said Trump is a “man of inherited wealth and privilege who seems to have no understanding of our situation.” Jackson theorizes there is a southern and progressive coalition of voters ready to change politics. But, he said little will change unless African Americans register to vote. Now we wait for Trump to attack Jackson by twitter. Jackson is suffering from Parkinson disease, however, Trump has shown no sympathy for suffering people when he feels disrespected. Trump has mocked handicapped reporters while campaigning for the presidency.

Perhaps emboldened by Trumps unsavory comments directed at Haiti and African nations, Oklahoma’s own United States James Inhofe has decided to add his troubled thoughts to the debate. In short he wants to change the way America and the Trump administration deals with Africa. Inhofe made the comments to a Tulsa County Republican Party fund-raising luncheon last Friday. Inhofe is eager to support what he believes are Trump’s beliefs on Africa foreign aid and diplomacy. In short Inhofe believes that Trump views foreign aid as “giveaway programs,” but the president does want to help. He believes American money should be buying loyalty and more. Inhofe is proud of having set up a meeting with Rwanda President and incoming head of the African Union Paul Kagame. By some observations, Kagame is a butcher and has been accused of assassinating journalist and political opponents. Trump and Kagame met last Friday. No telling what kind of madness went on in that meeting. Not all African leaders supported the meeting. South Africa’s Bonang Mohale boycotted Trump’s speech because of his comments about Africans not being welcomed into America. Trump has always been more than comfortable with dictators and tyrants. His political style seems to favor authoritarian leaders who are answerable to no one. Trump first showed his fondness for leaders most see as brutal and violent when he spoke in positive terms of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Needless to say, that attention by Trump is usually met with policy changes sure to negatively impact the way this country deals with a racial group or organization he opposes. Like Jackson and others suggest, the only way to fight back is at the ballot box. Recent election victories for progressive candidates opposed to Trump have shown that change is possible. Are you registered?

See Also

Is Walmart Locking up African American Beauty Items?

Sometimes you just have to shake your head over what could be happening in places like Walmart where Essie Grundy said she is suing the retail giant for discriminatory practices because they keep African American beauty products locked up. Grundy said she felt humiliated because after getting the product she wanted Walmart had an employee escort her to the cash register. She stated it made her feel like a criminal and people staring at her. Walmart says they lockup products that are prone to be stolen by shoppers. Grundy is not having any of that excuse. The product she was wanting to buy was a comb costing $0.49. She is not the first to notice the race specific policy.

Groups like “Making a Change at Walmart” have also drawn attention to the practice and called for it to end. Videos of those drawing attention to the controversy have gone viral on social media. The policy seems to be centered in California. Gloria Allred is representing Grundy in the discrimination lawsuit. No word on whether Oklahoma Walmart stores are locking up African American hair products.

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