If you support the right wing and its leader, Donald Trump, you are probably a racist. His denouncement of minorities and Muslims defines the attitude of far too many of our nation’s people. Until Trump became the focus of the media, racism and bigotry were latent; but now it is in the forefront of our political system.

Actions by the right wing clearly display its prejudices. Red states are attempting to restrict minority voters. Reactionaries in Congress seek the repeal of healthcare for our poorest Americans. Republicans vote against equality for women. In support of the Christian religious right lobby, GOP legislators condemn the rights of the LGBT community, and seek control over the bodies of women. Those on the right support the second amendment and deny the rights of the majority of innocent Americans by seeking the repeal of the first, fourth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments.

A recent minor, but disappointing action by some Republican congressmen, is representative of their party’s misguided prejudices.

Although our government is in gridlock, it continues to approve the names of approximately 40 post offices and other public buildings each year. However, a few Republicans voted against naming a post office in North Carolina after the famous author Maya Angelou.

“His parents escaped communism and he feels that he cannot vote to name a post office in the United States in honor of someone who supported the communist Castro revolution in Cuba,” a spokesperson for Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) told NBC. According to his campaign website, Harris’ father was born in Hungary and his mother’s birthplace was Poland.

This is simply a smokescreen to disguise racism. In total, nine Republicans voted against honoring Maya Angelou.

In the opening episode of “The Newsroom,” actor Jeff Daniels explained why America is no longer the greatest nation in the world. One of the primary reasons is growing racism and bigotry. Denying the Constitution removes our claim to that distinction. Until all of America’s people are equal; until the words of the “Pledge of Allegiance,” ‘with liberty and justice for all,’ actually mean something; ‘greatness’ is not an adjective applicable to our nation.

No country can exist if it is ruled by fear and hatred. These emotions, nurtured by our politicians, are destructive to the principles of our founding fathers, and weaken our nation.

Don’t believe that I am ignoring Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Trump is not in a position to vote for national policy, but these two Senators are, and their voting records reveal their prejudices. This is a right wing position; simply check their stand on issues affecting minorities and women.

America is changing, but not in the right direction. Politicians are attempting to move us into the past and separate our nation from the other developed nations who are proudly moving forward into the 21^st century.

To live in the past is to fail the American people, and the polls are clearly in favor of progressive change.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Urbanworld Film Festival

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