It’s not a well-kept secret that the GOP is the party of racists, but before Donald Trump decided to run for president, no one was open about the sad truth. Red states are continually passing legislation directed at the black community including voter ID laws, and the defunding of Planned Parenthood.

Roger Stone worked for the Trump campaign until last August. There was no explanation as to why they parted ways. He had frequently been a guest on CNN because of his relationship with the presidential candidate. Stone continued his support for Trump by creating a Super PAC whose sole purpose was to discredit Trump’s adversaries. Presently he is organizing a group which will continually remind voters of Bill Clinton’s alleged sexual escapades.

CNN released the following regarding Mr. Stone: “He will no longer appear as a CNN guest.”

Here are a few of the tweets Stone sent which forced CNN to take action.

Roland Martin is an African-American contributor to the network. “Who is this stupid negro Roland Martin ? Buffoon or token Buffoon ? #CNN”

“Who is this fat negro Roland Martin on CNN and what qualifies him to give any analysis ? #CNN #Iowa #moron”

The self-professed GOP hitman also tweeted Anna Navarro is “borderline retarded”, “dumber than dogsh*t”, an “Entitled Diva Bitch”, and a “rabid pekinese” – and then said “make-up people at CNN ‘hate’ her”.

And one final tweet, although there were many more. “Ana Navarro the dumbest person on TV since CNN fired moron @rolandmartin – both quota hires #CNN”

Unless you have been living in another country, racism has existed much the same as it did in the 1960’s, but it was mostly hidden below the surface of conversation. Today it is out in the open once again. There are likely many reasons for its openness and rise, but they are not as important as the effects.

Income inequality is a serious problem for all Americans who actually work for a living, but no single group has experienced greater harm than the black community. As the middle class disappears, the number of American families living in poverty increases.

The latest figures from the Census Bureau are from 2012. 28.1% of blacks were living in poverty, which is an increase from 25.5% in 2005. It’s frightening to imagine what the rate is in 2016.

Blacks living in urban areas have witnessed a decline in income, and therefore their quality of living, more than any other group. These cities, which were built around factories and other related businesses, no longer have the type of jobs which were available to less-educated men and women. Thanks to ‘trade agreements’ made by our last four presidents, most of these positions now exist in foreign lands.

The right wing, led by Ted Cruz, constantly attempts to eliminate social programs, while increasing the defense budget. Programs which were designed to educate our low-income and the poor, in an attempt to help them find different types of employment, are drastically under-funded. The only jobs available to many young black men and women pay minimum wage; and Congress refuses to raise that amount; and that pitiful amount cannot sustain a family.

I do not participate in the ‘Facebook’ game, but my wife does in order to stay in touch with her rather large family. She tells me horrible things, and that is the reason I do not participate. There is often a thinly-veiled attack on a black American and the inevitable comment; ‘tell them to get a job.’

The number of people in the United States that seek a life without work, and depend on government aid for their existence is very minimal. The vast majority of all of the American people want to work and be paid a fair wage for their efforts. But there is an even greater problem in our inner cities where the cost of living is high, and ‘good jobs’ simply don’t exist.

No country can be called ‘great’ if racism and bigotry are present. No country can be called ‘great’ if we have one family living in poverty when the number of billionaires is now far above 1,000.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of John Duffy

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