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Donald Trump is the agitator in chief, his 2020 reelection campaign is not much different than the one he ran in 2016. It is not surprising that as President of the United States he continues to use the same methods that got him elected. Unlike the phrase, throwing rocks and hiding your hands, Trump is well known for throwing paper towels and wildly waving his hands.
English Language Learners defines an agitator as a person who tries to get people angry or upset so that they will support an effort to change a government, company, etc. Trump seems to appeal mainly to his base by way of this definition. He is known to incite, perpetuate violence, and stereotypes. Signifying, or name-calling, from the highest office in the land is his trademark.
There have been several significant moments and events when the world was looking for the person at the helm to soothe and unite. There were times when Trump was looked upon not to say who is right but rather what is right. When what is right is ignored by the leader of the free world it contributes to the unrest experienced in communities nationwide.
‘Very Fine People Both Sides’
On Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, 32-year-old Heather Heyer, was killed at the hands of a white supremacist who plowed his vehicle into a crowd of protesters near a “Unite the Right” rally. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups scheduled the rally to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Americans no longer want to pay homage to historical figures who favored slavery, lynching, and dismantling of the Black family.
Initially, Trump condemned the hate groups for their actions. Then, later stated there were fine people on both sides. This statement added fuel to an already emboldened fire. At a time when people are looking for a leader to stand on the side of right, Trump straddles the fence.
‘The Police Kill White People Too’
An interviewer for CBS News in July 2020 asked the president, “Why are Blacks still dying at the hands of law enforcement in this country?” He was described as being agitated by the question. He replied that it was a terrible question and went on to say that more white people are killed by police than Blacks.
Black people are 2.8 times more likely to die at the hands of police officers than white people. Fact-checkers determined that although lethal force by the police was used on the majority of white victims from 2009-2012, the victims were disproportionately Black.
Even if Trump’s statement was entirely true, why would the question seemingly agitate him? It should never be okay for any American to unjustly die at the hands of law enforcement. Justice should be determined in the courtroom, not on the streets.
George Floyd, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, and countless others have become household names for unjustified murders at the hands of the police and citizens.
Had these people been white, their names may not be known for these unfortunate reasons. The world is looking for Trump to empathize and acknowledge the systemic racism Black and brown people have endured for centuries. He simply refuses to stand on the side of right.
Appeal to Suburban Women
As agitator in chief, it is his duty to incite fear to get people to rally for his cause. The suburbs, once overwhelmingly white, have become more diverse. Trump continues to perpetuate racism by attempting to incite fear to appeal to white suburban women by telling them their property value will go down if his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, is elected.
Again, Trump is attempting to negatively associate minorities with all things criminal. This continues to paint the picture of the white woman clutching her purse when in close proximity to a Black man. Trump called out a fair housing initiative that requires local governments to address historic patterns of racial segregation.
Women recently celebrated the 100-year-anniversary of having the right to vote. They are at the forefront of the Me-Too movement. They are leading the charge for equal pay and standing up for women’s liberation.
Women are self thinkers and will not allow Trump to scare them into voting for him in a few months. People are looking for our leader to bridge the racial divide.
For some reason, Trump either refuses to unite everyone or he is simply incapable.
Missed Opportunities
Trump is equally aloof as he is brazen and bold. He has undoubtedly shaken up the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as the nation as a whole. He has a way of agitating situations when the moment calls for comfort and understanding.
In the past, he has tweeted “Liberate” in an effort to cause an uprising when people opposed wearing masks to protect against the spread of COVID-19. He suggests that it is okay for officers to hit suspects’ heads on police cars when arrested.
He is an advocate of Stop and Frisk, a law that gives officers the right to temporarily detain people they have reason to believe are in the process of committing a crime, already committed a crime, or is about to commit a crime. Studies show this law disproportionately targets minorities and rarely results in an arrest. Sometimes the detainment involved a physical altercation and unnecessary death of the detainee.
As the 2020 presidential election nears, Americans will have the right to cast their votes on who they want to lead the country over the next 4 years. Americans are looking for a Commander in Chief, not an agitator in chief.
Interestingly, Donald is a masculine name meaning world leader. So, Trump is living out his name as ruler of the world. His last name, however, will determine how long his leadership lasts. He will either trump his Democratic opponent — Joe Biden, or be trumped.
Written by Sheree Bynum
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
CNN: Trump doesn’t address systemic racism during visit to Kenosha; Maegan Vazquez,
BBC News: Charlottesville: Who was victim Heather Heyer
The Washington Post: The ‘very fine people’ at Charlottesville: Who were they?; Glenn Kessler
The New York Times: Asked About Black Americans Killed by Police, Trump Says, ‘So Are White People’; Jeremy W. Peters
The New York Times: Why ‘Stop-and-Frisk’ Inflamed Black and Hispanic Neighborhoods
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons