HoweEnterprise.com
Local items of interest
14
June 8, 2020
Black Lives Matter (Continued from page 13)
skin and even my political affiliation. I have dedicated my political life to being an advocate for my community from within the Republican Party to ensure that our political and socio-economic issues are always on the table. It is time for action and President Trump is a man of action. His decisive leadership and inclusive agenda have shown that he is interested in putting America First, and that includes black America. Real political leadership in the black community is long overdue. For decades we have been let down by liberal Democrat leaders and their policies. For too long our communities have suffered from high crime, low wages, poor schools, health disparities, lack of opportunity and access to capital. President Trump is right to call for peace, he is right to call for the end of looting, rioting, violence and destruction of property. That only sets us back, hurts the community even more and distracts us away from the real issues at hand. It is self-defeating and socially destructive. I have no doubt President Trump will once again rise to the occasion and lead, by action, to help heal the nation and be a champion for the voices of the unheard. He has called on local leaders to stop the destruction of our communities and offered federal assistance, if needed. President Trump swiftly deployed the FBI and Department of Justice to help ensure that justice is carried out and those involved will be held accountable. But more can and will be done. I’m optimistic that President Trump will use his authority to protect all Americans, create the change we need and provide common sense solutions. This is the man that led the charge for de-segregating Palm Beach, Fla., for Jews and black Americans. He supported Sen. Tim Scott’s anti-lynching legislation in the U.S. Senate and worked with him to create Opportunity Zones, saying, “We must all work together as a society to expand opportunity and to create a future of greater dignity and promise for all of our people. We must forge a partnership with community leaders, local law enforcement, and the faith community to restore hope.” Donald Trump worked with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow Push Wall Street Project that sought to bridge the gap between minorities and Wall Street. Rev. Jackson said of Trump, “In terms of reaching out and being inclusive, he did that too. … He’s a serious person who is an effective builder -- being able to build up people.” This is the same man that made the impossible happen getting criminal justice reform by signing the First Step Act into law. President Trump has always been about law and order, as well as jobs and justice. His inclusionary leadership style and desire to win for the people means he is the leader that can finally lead to the change and action so many in my community have been pleading for. He said, “I understand the pain that people are feeling. We support the right of peaceful protesters, and we hear their pleas.” White House domestic policy is now led by a criminal justice reform warrior, Brooke Rollins. She has worked with Jared Kushner and Ja’Ron K. Smith, the highest ranking black American in the White House, to ensure that African American leaders and outside groups always have access to get things done. (Continued on page 15)
