Was it racist of Trump to ask Randal to share title?

[qanda]

Readers react to ‘Apprentice’ finale

Thursday night, the fourth edition of "The Apprentice" came to an end, but the controversy has just begun.

Randal was a star from the beginning, and it was no surprise when Donald Trump offered him the job as his latest Apprentice. What was a little surprising was what happened next: As he had hinted he'd do all night long, Trump seemed ready to hire both Rebecca and Randal for different jobs in his organization. Yet when he asked Randal for his opinion, the winner quickly stated that he felt there should be only one Apprentice. And in a most un-Trumplike move, the billionaire went along with his newest hire's decision.

Everyone can agree that's what happened. But no one can agree on anything else. Many think race was a factor: Randal is Trump's first African-American "Apprentice," and some thought Trump was racially biased in asking him to not be the only "Apprentice" when the other winners, who were all white, held the title alone. Some pointed out that the first finale was also between a white and an African-American contender, yet when a white man, Bill, won, he wasn't asked his opinion about also hiring African-American Kwame.

(more)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10496026/

Also, Dr. Pinkett has his own website and a forum where you can leave him a message. Some of the comments there are quite disturbing so you may want to add your voice to those congratulating him for a job well-done.

On Edit: www.randalpinkett.com

[Karenina]

1. IMO: BLATANT RACISM

With the "perfect perky white girl set-up." :puke:

Some of those comments were quite disturbing, but no more so than the ones on the Apprentice Forum where folks wanted "to beat the living crap outta him."

[qanda]

2. Some of the ones right at good ole DU had me pissed

I am really starting to think that we live in an entirely different world.

[Karenina]

3. Indeed.

Please read and comment:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4450431#4457299

[fortyfeetunder]

9. Another reason why I don't watch reality shows

These shows portray mostly the worst of America.

Based on what I read - and trust me, I have never seen one episode of this show. And that thread confirmed why I will stay away from such so-called entertainment...

Karenina: I liked your statement best (which I can relate to...)

"Hmmm... Just thinking out loud... If I were to do an audition and play my 3 pieces perfectly, then be asked if I'd be willing to "share" the solo position I won with a younger, less experienced player (who aced 1 piece and had major execution problems with the other 2), I think I'd say...:rofl: :wtf: :rofl: "

[Karenina]

4. I read the comments on Randal's site

poked around a bit some hours ago. Now I get "Invalid Host Name" when I click the link...

[qanda]

5. Same here

I wonder if took the site down because it was getting way too nasty-- people talking about his dead grandmother and all.

[Karenina]

6. Did any other Apprentice winner

get threats of bodily harm, a freeper-flooded website... OH NEVER MIND.

Did you check my post #216 in the lounge thread?

[qanda]

7. I was trying to wade through that mess

I'll look for that specific post.

[Karenina]

8. Thanx, Qanda

:hug:

[Karenina]

19. GET A LOAD OF THIS!!!

The Donald apparently has a problem with black people.
I haven't heard of The Donald retracting any part of the statements below. I also have heard of no lawsuits against the author of the book.

From: "Trumped!: The Inside Story of the Real Donald Trump - His Cunning Rise & Spectacular Fall," by John R. O'Donnell, former president, Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, pages 147-149:

"Our lunch at Trump Tower concluded with a discussion of personnel. Donald brought a unique approach to this as well. "Tell me about Steve Hyde," he said.

Of course, I had nothing but the highest regard for Steve and I told Donald so. "Yeah, that's my man," he quickly added. "I have to tell you," he went on, "I feel real good about the quality of people he's brought in. It's been a real positive for us." Then just as quickly he changed course. "So who do you think is doing a shitty job?" he asked.

I told him no one. But he went down a list of names until we got to a finance employee of Trump Plaza, who happened to be black.

"What do you think of him?" Donald asked.

I said I was familiar with his abilities, and he had shortcomings. "To be honest, I don't think he's the best we can have," I said. "I'd like to see him either come up to speed, where he can help me a lot more, or maybe there's something else he can do."

Instantly, Donald was enthused. "Yeah, I never liked the guy. I don't think he knows what the ##### he's doing. My accountants up in New York are always complaining about him. He's not responsive. And isn't it funny, I've got black accountants at Trump Castle and at Trump Plaza. Black guys counting my money! I hate it. The only kind of people I want counting my money are short guys that wear yarmulkes every day. Those are the kind of people I want counting my money. Nobody else."

I couldn't believe I was hearing this. But Donald went on, "Besides that, I've got to tell you something else. I think that the guy is lazy. And it's probably not his fault because laziness is a trait in blacks. It really is, I believe that. It's not anything they can control.... Don't you agree?" He looked me square in the eye and waited for my reply.

"Donald, you really shouldn't say things like that to me or anybody else," I said. "That is not the kind of image you want to project. We shouldn't even be having this conversation, even if it's the way you feel."

"Yeah, you're right," he said. "If anybody ever heard me say that...holy #####...I'd be in a lot of trouble. But I have to tell you, that's the way I feel."

"Well, I have to tell you, I don't agree with you. We've got people at the Plaza doing good jobs, we've got people doing jobs that are not so good. It's got nothing to do with the color of anybody's skin."

He gave a short chop with his hand, as if to wave away my point of view. "Ah, it's a trait. Anyway I'm glad to hear you're going to get rid of the guy."

I hadn't said that. So I corrected him. "Donald, I'd like to see what the guy can do. Let's just wait and see. If we continue to have problems in the finance area, then yes, maybe he doesn't have the ability, and I'll think about a replacement."

Donald was satisfied with that. But for months afterward he continued to press me to fire the man. Ultimately the executive resigned to pursue other opportunities."

My guess is that he never wanted to hire Randal in the first place.

Posted by: Singer | December 20, 2005 02:36 PM

The Donald apparently has a problem with black people.

http://www.blackprof.com/archives/2005/12/race_and_reality_shows_part_ii_1.html#comments

[fortyfeetunder]

20. After reading this

Kanye West, where are you?

[angee_is_mad]

10. Trump should apologize

for putting Randall in a difficult position. It was a lose-lose situation for him. If he said yes, for every TV appearance, Rebecca would have been right there beside him.

Besides, we all know that a pretty, young white woman is more marketable than a black man in America. So, she probably would have been preceived as the lone Apprentice eventually.

[Karenina]

11. Trump indeed owes Randal

A VERY PUBLIC APOLOGY.

[angee_is_mad]

12. and Win, WIn for Becky

now she has this broad support from people who probably didn't see the show and she will be getting offers out of the gadzooks.

She will book more talk show appearances than Randall and any that Randall may receive the talk show producers will want her to appear with him.

All season Trump has trumpeted Randall as the most intelligent and qualified apprentice to appear on the series and look what the poor man has been reduced too. Shameful, shameful!!!!

[Karenina]

13. I now believe it was INTENTIONAL.

I wonder if she is related to one of his bid'ness buddies. :freak:

She and Randal are not in the same league, yet she is touted as a "star." Trump punked Randal. Humiliate and demonize the black winner. That may have been the plan from the beginning. :tinfoilhat:

[Karenina]

15. She's on the radio circuit today

fanning the flames, saying if SHE had won...

[fortyfeetunder]

16. In the long run, think this will bite her...

I don't see Rebecca as a gracious loser.

If she were a woman with class, she would have said something like this:

"Although it would have been nice to share this honor with Randal, I agree with Randal this is an "apprentice not apprenti" competition, and there is only one winner. I wish Randall well in his future endeavours. Thank you Mr. Trump for the opportunity to participate"

Her whining about what she would have done is going to get old. I'm pretty sure it's wearing out its welcome now.

[Karenina]

17. Never underestimate the fury

of the pretty little white girl scorned...

Trump asked her if she thought she was "better" than Randal (clip form the Larry King interview). You know the answer.

Amazing that 5 days later the "controversy" is still raging. Here's one of the best posts I've seen:

I agree. Rebecca was good but Randal was better. This excerpt from Being Black in the Work Place is for all of the double-standard "haters" out there.

"They take my kindness for weakness. They take my silence for speechless...They take my confidence for conceit. They see my mistakes as defeat. They consider my success accidental. They minimize my intelligence to "potential". My questions mean "I'm unware". My advancement is somehow unfair...If I stand up for myself, I'm too defensive. If I don't trust them I'm too apprehensive. My character is constantly under attack. Pride for my race makes me, "TOO BLACK". Yet I can only be me. And who am I you might ask? I am that strong Black Person...with pride, dignity, and respect that let's the work place in America know, that I not only possess the ability to play by the rules, but I can make them as well".

The boss gave Randal the opporunity to make the ruels and he Trumped Donald's back door plan to make Rebecca "co-winner". Way to go Randal!!! In Mr. Trump's own words "there can only be one Apprentice." Let him own his responsibility to make a choice and let Randal continue to own his well deserved win.
Posted by: Lisa at December 16, 2005 11:13 PM

[Karenina]

14. Black Enterpise's site

is now down. Randal in his own words...

[Catherine Vincent]

18. I'm just thankful I don't watch that crap.

I rather "Lost". :-)

[blazinjason]

21. It showed disrespect for Randal. I wonder if Rebbecca had won,

would he have asked her to hire Randal. I don't think so.

Several years ago I read a book about Donald Trump(not written by the Donald) . It was published prior to his divorce from Ivana. According to the book, the Trumps did not hire blacks to work in "visible" positions (desk clerks, check-in clerks, etc.) at The Plaza Hotel. The two jointly worked together at the hotel and I was never able to get that image out of my head. So, it did not surprise me when Trump did this. Obviously, Randal was the best candidate but Trump still had to extend that prize to Rebbecca. Why? There was only one winner. Randal will be in an excellent position to write a book about his experience with the Trump organization and how he was treated.

[Karenina]

22. Randal's wrap-up

http://www.randalpinkett.com/forum/blog/randalsblog_010906.asp