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WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?
August 29, 2016
Donald Trump delivered a compelling speech in Milwaukee just days after the unrest in Sherman Park, Milwaukee, WI. Mr. Trump attacked, head on, the many social problems afflicting inner cities across America.
Although the location for his event was made weeks prior to the riot in Sherman Park, Mr. Trump still kept his commitment and showed up in Milwaukee. Almost immediately, likely due to being embarrassed by their failed leadership, Mr. Trump received backlash from many Democrats including Hillary Clinton for simply pointing out what we black folks already know, but many in the non-black community may not be aware of. It took leadership by Mr. Trump to address a topic that is uncomfortable for many people and he is putting himself on record to commit to fixing the irrefutable problems that plague inner cities.
Democrats lambasted Mr. Trump for presenting this speech before a predominantly white audience, insisting he should have delivered it to an all-black audience. But how many times have we seen Democratic politicians speak to all black audiences then ignore them after the election? Mr. Trump heightened the awareness of social problems that all Americans should be knowledgeable of. His message was not only for blacks to hear, but for all Americans to hear so that we can deal with the issues honestly.
Before the riot in Sherman Park, Mr. Trump showed up in unfriendly areas in California, Chicago and Detroit as protesters paid for by Democratic operatives were pleased to cause chaos that disrupted and even shut down one of his events. These same people asked why Mr. Trump went to these areas where he was not welcomed.
Mr. Trump should be applauded for bringing to light issues Black Lives Matter have been trying to discuss for months, and that is: failure of infrastructure, leadership, community, economics, education, security and poverty that have plagued inner cities for years.
Mr. Trump is the first Republican presidential candidate in my lifetime to be unabashedly unafraid to talk about the problems facing the black community. Lawmakers like Hillary Clinton would rather pretend these issues don't exist by shifting the subject to Trump’s TV show, or other things that don't add up to a hill of beans just to throw off the discussion about fixing inner city issues. These lawmakers have enriched themselves and obtained power by taking self-worth out of the hand of the people they represent. Trump’s exposure of those leaders who have failed the inner cities is making them scared of the uprising that can occur from the community.
If lawmakers really want to help black inner city America, they need to focus on creating economic environments for quality education, job training, good paying jobs and get government out of workers pockets so they can keep more of what they earn to take care of their families, this is what Donald Trump is all about.
Mr. Trump is aware that not all blacks are plagued by inner city woes, but too many black Americans are. He respects and knows that when they tap into their true potential it will be encouraging and rewarding.
Donald Trump is asking for every black vote stating he “wants to offer a different and better way.” Are we so conditioned to how society has programmed our way of thinking that we would rather stay in a state of disarray than to step out on faith and do something different that may improve our chances for a better life? Harriet Tubman said, “I freed a thousand slaves, I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
Blacks have boundless talents and skills and Mr. Trump wants to help untap those abilities so we can also enjoy a better life. What's wrong with that? To those who tell us not to trust him, let's ask them what have you done for me lately? Donald Trump has been in the public eye for decades and has never been called a racist until he ran for president.
People like Frederick Douglass, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Harriet Tubman did not sacrifice so much for blacks to accept less than the best. We know what's right, we know what's good, we know what our families and communities need. We must choose better because choices of recent past have not benefited black urban communities. People who have made promises and not delivered do not deserve your vote.
At what point do we look out for our best interest? Why aren't we asking ourselves, "Why are we holding on to blind loyalty of failed policies and representation?" No other ethnic group reacts and responds with this blind loyalty. Those other ethnic groups look for what is in the best interest of their people and vote accordingly, even if it means crossing over to vote for the other party.
The first order to fix a problem is to admit there is a problem then develop solutions to fix it and that is what Mr. Trump has done.
The outcome of this election could be more of the same or an opportunity to change to a better direction. Why should we settle for less than the best for ourselves? Donald Trump is presenting an alternative for black voters, “What do you have to lose?”
Jennifer Carroll
Former Lieutenant Governor