Trump’s actual symbols of hate
In all seriousness the racist loathing is coming out into the open now.
Donald Trump is criticizing New York City’s plan to paint “Black Lives Matter” on 5th Avenue outside Trump Tower — calling it a “symbol of hate.”
Earlier New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city would “take this moment in history and amplify it by taking the ‘Black Lives Matter’ symbolism and putting it all over this city, including right in front of Trump Tower.”
The move comes as the president stepped up his defense of actual symbols of hate: Confederate flags and monuments. Using a racist slur against Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, Trump threatened to veto defense spending bills that include provisions to rename Confederate bases.
Let’s spell it out. “Black Lives Matter” is not a symbol of hate: it’s a statement of fact and a reminder that much needs to change to put that fact into practice. It’s a reminder that as a country we have acted as if black lives don’t matter for four fucking centuries now and it’s time to do better.
As the Graun says, Confederate flags and monuments really are symbols of hate, because they are endorsements of the Confederate cause, which was, all together now, SLAVERY.
And calling Warren “Pocahontas” is flippant contempt for the people who were here before Europeans waltzed in and grabbed everything.
Some replies to the Hater in Chief:
*gasp*
They’re painting a sign? Are they mad?? They just saved a thousand million dollars, and then they threw it all away!
Blowing all $1B on the sign (gold-plated!) is how Trump would have done it, so you can see his confusion…
Symbol of hate or not, it’s probably important to distinguish between the statement “black lives matter” and the organization Black Lives Matter. Sort of like how it’s important to distinguish between family values and “family values”, or being pro-life (as just about everyone is) and being Pro-Life (which not everyone is).
That said, Trump is ridiculous, as usual.
Let’s not forget treason. I seem to recall that being something that right wingers are supposed to frown on, what with their performative jingoism. You’d think they would be all for relegating such traitorous symbols to dusty corners of museums.
Oh, but Nullius, it was all over state’s rights, dinja know? Not slavery at all…no, merely the right for states to declare it okay to hold slaves…enslave black people…practice segregation…prohibit abortion and same sex marriage…and refuse to have decent sex education in public schools…all those noble state’s rights things.
/s
Speaking of the Confederate cause, not sure if anyone else saw this…
Let’s hope it results in an ongoing moment of reflection, self knowledge and personal growth.
I don’t know how many times I’ve been like, “Yes, I’m sorry. You’re right. It was about states’ rights to practice slavery.” It’s as lazy an excuse—and falls apart as fast—as any apologetics.