No Pandering

Amatuer shrinking the NABJ

After watching the interview, it came to me. Again.

One of my brothers-in-law is a DOD police officer and one of their tasks is patrolling military installations.  Michael (not his real name) also happens to be white. Many years back, he told me that every time he stops a black motorist his unit receives an accusation that he has been racist. I was amazed by this. 

Admittedly, he looks a little intimidating, with a shaved head and opaque sunglasses but I know this guy. We don't talk that often but every time we do, I’m glad of it.

Michael grew up around black people and, obviously, is around black people all the time, since he and my sister have five children and four grandchildren, but I figured out a while back what the issue is with other black people, in addition to the cop thing.

Michael doesn’t pander. 

He doesn’t treat black people like children - unless they’re his own children - and doesn’t kowtow. If they’re nice to him, he’s nice to them and the same goes for nastiness.

After watching Donald Trump's interview with the NABJ I thought of this phenomenon. Most journalists and politicians who are white tip-toe around black people in fear of being labeled as racist. In contrast, President Trump treats blacks, whites, etc. as individuals. (I was especially amused when the former president lambasted the interviewers for being on CPT.)

To be honest, I think that a significant segment of black Americans aren’t used to that, especially from white persons in authority. Many are more used to having smoke blown up their backsides, and when that doesn’t happen, they don’t know what to do with that, so they think it’s racism.

Yes, it’s true. Many of us aren’t used to being treated as equals. And I think it’s why many think Mr. Trump is racist but can’t name a racist thing he has said or done.

They just notice that the buttkissing is missing.