Donald Trump and the Black Community

"Show me in the white community where a comedian is a white leader. Show me in the white community where a singer is a white leader, or a dancer or a trumpet player is a white leader. These aren't leaders. These are puppets and clowns that have been set up over the black community by the white community and have been made celebrities and usually say exactly what they know the white man wants to hear."

-Malcolm X

In recent weeks, President-Elect Donald Trump has been meeting with Black celebrities, ranging from Kanye West to Jim Brown, proclaiming that his intention is to affect positive change in the Black community.  Subsequently, there has been some degree of debate, in the Black community, about whether or not prominent members of the Black community should give Donald Trump their ear, or lend him their voice and/or face during this transition.  The debate centers around whether or not we can believe that Donald Trump is, to quote Steve Harvey, “sincere,” in his desire to improve Black life in America.  Some would argue that Trump has no credibility with us, and meeting with him increases his credibility without requiring that he earn that credibility.  Others argue that passing up the chance to meet with the next president of the United States amounts to forfeiting the opportunity to push our agenda.  Assuming he is "using" these Black celebrities, savvy celebrities might have the opportunity to affect change in their communities in a sort of "quid pro quo" scenario. For a moment, let me suspend any discussion of whether or not Black celebrities should be meeting with Donald Trump.  As I am not likely to be on his list of notables to reach out to, I doubt I will be faced with such a conundrum.  However, it might be worth some exploration to discuss the other point.  Is Donald Trump Sincere in his desire to help Black America?

To put it bluntly, I don’t buy it.  I present as evidence only one fact: Trump has been meeting with Black entertainers rather than Black leaders. He criticized John Lewis, but he met with Steve Harvey.  If he wants to meet with the folks who have answers to the questions plaguing the Black community, why not meet with the Black elected officials (mayors, representatives, city council members) in these communities? Why not meet with Black scholars? Trump is meeting with people who increase his profile in the Black community.   He is not meeting with people who could offer insight about policies in these communities.  He is not meeting with people who would actually critique him on the things he said in the past or during his campaign. Meet with Cornel West. Meet with Minster Farrakhan. Meet with President Obama, who is arguably the most influential Black person in America right now. Discuss a way for the outgoing president to be an integral part of the change in the Black community moving forward. Do those things, and then I'll believe that he isn't doing exactly what Malcolm X was talking about. Face time with celebrities does not indicate intent toward action or change. Trump is putting on a show.

Now, a wise man once told me that the only difference between a genius and a fool is time. In time, we will all see if Trump means to do good works in the Black community. If he suddenly starts committing federal resources and presidential influence to improving Black life, I'll be the first to admit that I was the fool. Until then, I know better than to believe it.