While Donald Trump devotes an enormous amount of time and passion blasting NFL players who peacefully exercise their first amendment rights, it’s telling that he has refused to take the same approach with white supremacist demonstrators who hatefully and violently exercise theirs.
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The president has repeatedly spewed full-throated attacks on African-American football players, all while issuing weak and half-hearted non-condemnations of white supremacist hatred.
That was on full display Saturday when Trump responded to the one-year anniversary of the Charlottesville tragedy by denouncing “all types of racism” and giving himself credit for low black unemployment.
The riots in Charlottesville a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to ALL Americans!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2018
I am proud to have fought for and secured the LOWEST African American and Hispanic unemployment rates in history. Now I’m pushing for prison reform to give people who have paid their debt to society a second chance. I will never stop fighting for ALL Americans!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2018
This comes during the same week the president took a much tougher stance against NFL players who continued to protest during the national anthem as pre-season football kicked off.
The NFL players are at it again – taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage†at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
…..Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
On MSNBC on Saturday, Eddie Glaude, chairman of the Center for African American studies, pointed out the disturbing difference in Trump’s rhetoric.
Video:
Eddie Glaude says Trump has been silent about white supremacist demonstrators. #ctl #p2 #Trump #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/5JQlMVBGmW
— PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) August 11, 2018
“He comments about NFL players exercising their constitutional rights but he says nothing about the white nationals who are coming to D.C.,” Glaude said.
A second “Unite the Right” rally is scheduled to take place in the nation’s capital tomorrow.
Trump’s NFL distraction has always been about riling up the base
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand what’s going on here.
Trump has repeatedly gone after black NFL players, while largely ignoring white supremacists, because it keeps his base riled up. It ensures that his supporters always have something to quench their thirst for anger.
As I wrote last year, “A strongman like Donald Trump cannot be successful without constantly reminding already-frustrated Americans who is to blame for their troubles. This time it’s professional athletes protesting racial injustice in America, other times it has been immigrants or Muslims or refugees.”
Not to mention the fact that unequivocally denouncing racism serves him no purpose politically since many of his supporters subscribe to that hatred.
Throughout all of this, the most racist and vile elements of American society have been given new oxygen by a president who repeatedly sympathizes with them and attacks NFL players for peacefully exercising their rights.
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
