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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI'm a Black Veteran. Why Is Trump Making Me Feel Unpatriotic?
By THEODORE R. JOHNSON November 13, 2017
Is there such a thing as a black American? This is a really easy question that the United States has yet to answer correctly. And its for this reason that I am worried about the future of our country.
That last statement can feel cliche given our current environment, where partisans spin routine conflicts into existential threats and describe every election as the final verdict on the nations fate. But something different is happening in our politics today.
There seems to be a subtle but concerted effort to paint black citizens who criticize President Donald Trump or the United States as un-American. Black people who dare suggest that the country is not living up to its professed ideals are offhandedly deemed unpatriotic and ungrateful for the blessing of being born in the shining city upon a hill. If our critiques are not met with a crude suggestion to buy a one-way ticket back to Africa, were accused of rent-seeking in laziness and victimization. Its as if some political strategist discovered the best way to counter claims that our leaders are indifferent to pervasive racial inequalities is to imply the accusers hate the nation and the troops.
After all, in the American parade of horribles, unpatriotic ingrates are worse than any racist could ever be because, well, at least the racists love America. Why do you think they want it so badly for themselves?
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https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/11/13/donald-trump-black-veterans-215823
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
AllaN01Bear This message was self-deleted by its author.
AllaN01Bear
(18,359 posts)from a 5 time draft dodger who has never served , has no idea what it is like . the rs think they own patriotizem and the like but they dont. they feel they are the only ones and the rest of us dont exist.
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)can never be patriotic. In his eyes, blacks don't belong here and cannot be loyal to America.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Trump has never had a positive thing to say about anyone with Brown Skin. Very hate filled person.
roamer65
(36,747 posts)Mr Johnson, you are the patriot.
Turbineguy
(37,364 posts)turning people inside out.