×

Don’t get sucked into Trump’s game

To the editor:

Some call him “master negotiator.” Others say “patriot.” I see the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. as the ultimate gameshow host. He has, for two-and-a-half years pitted us against each other — relishing the role of backstabbing “big brother” and conniving castaway who plays only to “survive” and win at any cost. The proof is in the highlight reel from episodes of “Racist in the White House:”

¯ His real estate company has been sued for not renting apartments to African-Americans (claiming “laziness” is a “trait in blacks.”)

¯ He called for the execution of five black and Latino teenagers who were accused and sentenced for raping a white woman. DNA evidence proved their innocence — still there is no apology.

¯ He attacked Muslim Gold Star parents whose son gave his life in service to our nation.

¯ He claimed a judge was biased because “he’s a Mexican.”

¯ He criticized prominent African-Americas for being unpatriotic and unintelligent, and yet claimed white supremacists in Virginia included some “very fine people.”

¯ He questioned the citizenship of the first black American president.

Then on July 14, he revealed his deepest shade of racist red, by tweeting:

“‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world…” (ought to) “…go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came…” President Donald J. Trump.

Those representatives are women of color and American citizens, yet he calls them intruders. He says they hate America and do not belong here. Republican leaders in Washington agree. (Is it fear of the gameshow host or the threat to their “white male privilege” that has them cowering in the corners of the Capitol?)

Get used to it, guys. Women of all colors will not turn back. You see, we read in depth, we think critically, we analyze issues from all angles. We do not succumb to Facebook Fairy Tales where the snippets of falsehood and fallacy are spread. This gameshow host wants to convince us not to trust in the richness of difference and depth of diversity.

The doorway to America must be attended to, yet remain open to welcome impassioned and freedom-seeking individuals who will not let America give up on American ideals, those same ideals for which our immigrant parents, grandparents and great-grandparents risked so much. They heard the Lady of the Harbor beckoning them:

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

(From “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, 1883)

Read the lines again. There is no mention of privilege, power or white men.

Here in the Ohio Valley, we know our heritage. We proudly celebrate “from whence we came.” The gameshow host is pitting us against each other. Don’t get sucked into his game.

Shirley J. (Chmaeliar,

Mislanovich) Fisher-Ciancetta

Steubenville

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today