Let’s talk about sneakers; and the cynical, and frankly disgusting, ploy to convince black voters to believe in the Republicans attempt to have them embrace The Don.
The Don decided to create a limited series sneaker that he hawked at the annual sneaker convention. For a mere $399 you could learn to “play like Mike,” and as a bonus, help pay for The Don’s astounding and ever mounting legal fees.
To his astonishment there were boos in the crowd and it is rumored that off mic he said to one of his lackeys: “They have no idea what an amazing basketball player I was. Better shooter than Steph Curry. Jordan couldn’t guard me. Could do 360 dunks. And by the way, take some photos of the naysayers, so when we win, they’ll be begging to wear my sneakers…in prison. Speaking of prison, it is rumored that The Don was overheard saying: “Not only are these sneakers the most comfortable and classy ever made, but all those hoodlums in the crime infested cities will be able to run faster and avoid being caught by the cops.
Fox News pundit Raymond Arroyo insisted Black Americans will support The Don because “they love sneakers.”
“This is connecting with Black America because they love sneakers!” They’re into sneakers… this is a big deal, certainly in the inner city. So when you have Trump roll out his sneaker line, they’re like, ‘Wait a minute, this is cool!’”
“This is cool?” No, this is down right racist! But it is a classic Don gimmick. Pretend you care and devalue at the same time. Just look at how he toys with Senator Tim Scott, the black South Carolina representative. He love’s Scott’s fealty and sycophancy, but disdains him at the same time for his weakness. He plays him like a puppet. Watching the two of them interact sadly reminds me of a master-slave relationship.
His contemptible attempts to court the black community continued.
The Don decided to use his 91 indictments as a badge of honor to woo the black community. He is promoting the idea he is just like them-victims of discrimination, comparing his legal jeopardy to the historic legacy of anti-Black prejudice in the U.S. legal system.
“I got indicted for nothing, for something that is nothing,” Trump told a black-tie event for Black conservatives in South Carolina. And a lot of people said that’s why the Black people like me, because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against, and they actually viewed me as I’m being discriminated against. It’s been pretty amazing but possibly, maybe, there’s something there.”
His mugshot has become a point of connection and shared identity with the black community.
“When I did the mug shot in Atlanta, that mug shot is No. 1. You know who embraced it more than anyone else? The Black population.” Next The Don will be touting that millions of Blacks are carrying his mugshot in their wallets because they want to be like him.
Don, aren’t you the guy who was sued by the federal government (when Nixon was president!), not once, but twice, for preventing blacks from living in your apartment buildings? Weren’t you the guy who took out a full page ad in The N.Y. Post in the 90’s demanding that the Central Park Five be given the death penalty? (They were eventually cleared of any wrongdoing, unfortunately years after their erroneous conviction.) Aren’t you the guy who wanted to bring in the military to quell Black Lives Matter protests? Aren’t you the guy who defended the people carrying Tiki torches during the Charlottesville march? Aren’t you the guy who ranted about people coming from “shithole” countries like Haiti and Africa?
There is a rumor that a new special offer is going to be announced. It seems soon you will be able to get the sneakers at a discount if you also purchase a signed copy of his mugshot with the words “Bonded for life.” It will also come with an original hip hop recording:
I’m the Don,
You know, like you, doin the con,
You know you love me
Because I’m so, so bad,
The fact you do makes you oh so sad.
I got a mug shot just like you
But I much better lookin
There is nothin you can do.
I shit on a gold toilet, you shit in a hole,
But I got your back baby,
Cause I’m a man of soul.
Your perverse attempt to convince Blacks that they should embrace you, that there is anything in common with the man who sits on a golden toilet and who has contempt for anyone not white and rich like you is enraging. Perhaps you should offer a very special deal for your sneakers for White sociopaths only. Guess it will be hard to “Be Like Mike” wearing this accessory on your sneakers.
Before I sign off, a few thoughts on White Christian Nationalism which is being promoted by Republicans in power and featured at CPAC their annual conservative pow wow. CPAC: Christians Perverting American Culture (and democracy!)
White Christian Nationalism is a movement that believes America was ordained by God and White Christians are his foot soldiers spreading the lord’s word. It is a movement to undo democracy, where the principle of separation and state are essential, and create a theocracy. Laws should not be in people’s hands but are divined by God. Dobbs being overturned and the recent banning of IVF treatment in Alabama are God’s will. White Christians have been charged to, well, be in charge. It may seem radical to say the obvious out loud, but if we allow this theocracy to come to fruition we will be not much different than the theocracy that rules Iran. They imprison people who defy Islam, treat women as inferior, and prosecute members of the LGBTQ community.
Where does that leave the rest of us? It’s scary to even think about, but think about it, we must; the passion behind this movement is formidable (after all, these adherents to a Christian believe they are doing God’s work!) Everything from the freedom to practice your own religion, to the books you read, to the right to vote, to the person you love, is at stake. What happens to the rest of us if White Christian Supremacy prevails?
The Grand Offal Party 