Commentary
By Frances Rice
Highly informative is Raynard Jackson’s article: “Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey
Ignored Trump’s “Racism” for Decades. What Really Changed?”
In his article, Raynard points out that “Black folks like
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Oprah Winfrey, who now want to brand Trump
as a racist, didn’t seem to mind associating with the “Apprentice” star when he
just owned casinos and restaurants.”
Click here to view a video where Jesse Jackson praises and thanks Donald Trump for a lifetime of service to African Americans.
Raynard’s article provides details about how Trump has
always been supportive of black people.
Below are the salient facts included in
his article. To read the entire article, click here.
“For decades, Trump has been the toast of New York City
elites and the media has always clamored to get interviews with Trump. Anyone
who spends time in the Big Apple knows that stories about Trump sell newspapers
and his TV interviews garner epic ratings.
"Even before Trump opened his hotels in Atlantic City,
N.J., both ordinary people and celebrities would line up to get pictures with
Trump; the real estate tycoon would parade very influential and aspiring politicians
into his office and have them grovel for his support and money; and they were
happy to do it, especially if there was a news crew around.
…
…
"They had mutual business dealings together that seemed
to be based on each of their personal agendas. They each had something that the
other wanted and needed and struck deals based on this set of mutual interests.
"Trump both raised funds and contributed thousands of
dollars to Sharpton-backed causes over the years according to National Review.
…
"These Black folks who now want to brand Trump as a racist
didn’t seem to mind associating with him when he owned casinos; when he was one
of the biggest boxing promoters in the world; when he flew them around on his
private jets and helicopters, or when he invited them to appear on his
“Apprentice” TV show.
"So, the question that I ask Black America and White
liberals is this: When did Donald Trump suddenly become a racist?
"Before he entered
the world of politics, he was branded as the life of the party; now that he is
president, he is being branded as a racist.
"What gives here?
"Bill and Hillary Clinton were personal guests at Trump’s
wedding to Melania in 2005 at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private members-only club in
Palm Beach, Fla. Other notables at Trump’s wedding were: Shaquille O’Neal, Anna
Wintour, Simon Cowell, Kelly Ripa, Katie Couric, and Russell Simmons.
"For a racist, Trump seems to have a very eclectic group
of friends from all walks of life.
"An interesting point of fact is that Mar-a-Lago is
located in Palm Beach, Florida, one of the wealthiest communities in the United
States. Two of Mar-a-Lago’s competitors—the Palm Beach Bath and Tennis Club and
The Everglades Club—have notoriously refused to admit Blacks.
"The Miami New
Times reported that Hollywood legend Sammy Davis, Jr. was once kicked out of The Everglades Club,
“because he was Black and Jewish.”
"In comparison, according to a Complex.com article on
the “25 Most Outrageously Exclusive Social Clubs in America” Trump’s
Mar-a-lago club, doesn’t discriminate against anyone who can afford the
$150,000 initiation fee and $7,000 in annual dues.
"The
Wall Street Journal reported that, in 1996, “Trump filed a lawsuit in the
U.S. District Court in Palm Beach, alleging that the town was discriminating
against Mar-a-Lago, in part because it is open to Jews and African Americans.”
…
"To those who are instinctively going to disagree with
this column, please answer my simple question: When did Trump become a racist?"
