Donald Trump, during his presidential tenure, significantly highlighted his associations and works with the black community. As a dominant political figure, this representation is worth exploring. However, the volume of instances where Trump’s supposed affinity with the Black community was called into question is equally noteworthy. Let’s delve into the details.
To shed light on Trump’s alliance with the Black community, we need to travel back to his business days. An essential precedent was set around the 1970s when Donald Trump, along with his father’s company, ended up entangled in a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice. The suit was connected to the alleged racial discriminatory practices against Black tenants. Although the Trump Management Corporation underwent no admissions of guilt, the settlement agreement entailed a significant revamp of their practices, which underscored the presumably prejudiced behavior.
Fast forward to the 1980s, accusations were made against Trump’s casinos in Atlantic City expressing racially discriminatory practices. It was alleged that when Donald and Ivana Trump paid a visit, Black employees would be ushered off the floor. Later on, it was also observed that discrimination was prevalent in different spheres associated with Trump’s dealings, which were in stark contrast to his avowed alliance with the Black community.
1990 presented another incident where Donald Trump advertised in several New York newspapers, calling for the death penalty for five Black and Latino teenagers wrongly accused in the infamous Central Park Jogger case. Despite their later exoneration through validated DNA evidence, and a confession from the actual perpetrator, Trump refused to apologize or rescind his stance. His notorious advertisement during the racially charged period of the 80s and early 90s further strained his relation with the Black community.
In 2016, during his presidential run, Trump initiated an open dialogue with the Black Community, leading to a mixed response. He pointed out the systemic failures adversely affecting the Black community while promising to rectify them under his administration.
Trump administration’s work on criminal justice reform, in particular, the First Step Act legislation, is noteworthy. This law aimed at reducing mandatory minimum sentences associated with non-violent drug offenses, which disproportionately affected the Black community. However, the credibility of his reformative efforts was often marred by his controversial racial remarks.
During his tenure, he also frequently referred to his efforts made for improving historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The Trump administration did allocate significant funding to HBCUs enjoying bipartisan support. Yet, his controversial remarks and his apparent willingness to cut HBCU funding in his 2017 tentative budget raised further queries about his commitment to the cause.
Despite sporadic efforts, Trump’s relationship with the Black community has been marred by controversial incidents and statements. There is a consistent pattern of racial insensitivity and policies that have incited division rather than unity, making his assertion of working hand in hand with the Black community questionable.
In conclusion, while Trump has taken some steps to assist the Black Community, his overall record appears equivocal. Thus, the validity of his claim of working hand in hand with the Black community is subjected to individual interpretation and intense debate.