Guess who attended last Saturday’s launch of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum? Donald Trump. Guess who opted to avoid Trump and completely skip the museum opening? African-American leaders and civil rights icons.
Racism
Yes, “The Donald” made a brief stopover at the new Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson and feigned interest for a swift photo-op, before racing back to his Florida golf resort for tee time. During his quick tour, Trump went through the motions of paying tribute to Medgar Evers and those African-Americans who fought against racism.
“We want our country to be a place where every child from every background can grow up free from fear, innocent of hatred and surrounded by love, opportunity and hope,” Trump said in prepared remarks.
Trump acknowledged Evers’ widow, Myrlie, and brother, Charles in the audience, then spoke of Evers and other leaders showcased in the civil rights museum.
“Today we strive to be worthy of their sacrifice. We pray for inspiration from their example,” Trump said. “Today we pay solemn tribute to our heroes of the past and dedicate ourselves to building a future of freedom, equality justice and peace.”
At least one civil rights icon was not impressed.
Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 60’s, was one of the African-American leaders who stood by his word and did not attend the museum opening due to Trump’s presence.
“President Trump’s attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in this civil rights museum,” Lewis said in a statement with Mississippi Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, who also declined to attend.
Lewis and Thompson then cited Trump’s “disparaging comments about women, the disabled, immigrants and National Football League players” and said Trump had shown disrespect to those who fought for civil rights in Mississippi.
Additionally, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) also declined to participate due to Trump’s attendance.
Racism
With Donald Trump’s blatently non-existent record on race relations, the various leaders and groups who chose to stay away from the civil rights museum all had deeply valid reasons for their actions.
Aside from being the ring leader who propelled the false theory that former President Barack Obama was not born in America (because he is black), Trump also earned himself a bad rap by saying there were “good people on both sides” following the white supremacist-led rally in Charlottesville, Virginia this past summer.
Remember, this is the same man who said blacks should vote for him because they “have nothing to lose” and that he alone could and would unite the country following his divisive election win. So, where’s all that uniting, Donald? Clearly, nowhere to be found!
White House spokesman Raj Shah called the decision by Lewis and Thompson not to attend “unfortunate,” then added that the civil rights museum was the necessary honor of a movement created to fight intolerance, hatred, and bigotry.
Perhaps Donald Trump should practice what he preaches and avoid being the instigator of hatred and bigotry.
You nailed all points DJ. Trump does not give a d*mn about that museum or black people. It was a photo op and he couldn’t even do that well.