Despite decades of evidence to the contrary, President Donald Trump's campaign continues to paint the President as a savior of Black Americans who is therefore deserving of their vote.
Trump has frequently said he's done more for Black Americans than any other President in history, with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln, who played a crucial role in abolishing slavery (except when it's punishment for a crime).
Now, Trump's team is using images of civil rights heroes like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson in campaign ads to assure voters that the administration's record on civil rights and racial justice is redeemable.
Dr. King's daughter, Bernice King, took to Twitter to decry the campaign's use of her father's image.
I find President Trump's use of my father's image in his political ad beyond insulting and not reflective of #MLK's commitment to creating the #BelovedCommunity. My father should not be used in ways strongly misaligned with his vision and values, @realDonaldTrump. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/7AwySnFFOw
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) October 7, 2020
My father was working for an America with leaders who have answered the call to conscience and compassionate action. He said, “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity..." (2/3)
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) October 7, 2020
“...Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the pressing urgencies of the great cause of freedom…a time like this demands great leaders."
America needs this type of leader NOW. #VoteAmerica #SkeeWee #BreonnaTaylor #BelovedCommunity #FierceUrgencyOfNow (3/3)
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) October 7, 2020
The dissonance between Trump's stances on racial justice and the work to which Dr. King devoted his entire adult life is stark.
Since this summer, the President has sought to paint all participants in the historic uprisings against racist police brutality as rioters and looters, while only a small number of the protests turned violent.
Meanwhile, though Dr. King condemned violence, he emphasized that "a riot is the language of the unheard" and condemned systems of government for refusing to listen to their people until pleas escalated to violence.
Bernice King wasn't the only one disgusted by the campaign's use of her father's image.
Ghastly audacity https://t.co/tb3WOyJgjU
— jodi gomes (@jodigomes) October 8, 2020
I truly hate it here. https://t.co/7MrWpWVKCr
— Trick-or-Tia 🎃 (@TiawiaGames) October 8, 2020
Unconscionable but never surprising... aren't y'all tired?! VOTE! https://t.co/Ph22zCLyZC
— question everything (@nigressence) October 8, 2020
HOLY SH--T HOW DARE THEY https://t.co/Nw2NrD30XV pic.twitter.com/0WymquRfSz
— Tony Parisi 🗽 for Biden (@auradeluxe) October 8, 2020
This is disgusting!! They know no bottom!! https://t.co/VKlRiULmLP
— The Gunny (@Mo84330204Moore) October 9, 2020
Grave misuse of #MLK's legacy! #VOTE #imspeaking https://t.co/W5YvxtIrAM
— Dr. Wenimo Okoya (@WenimoOkoya) October 8, 2020
Dr. King's wasn't the only image exploited by the Trump campaign.
Sharon Robinson, the daughter of civil rights and baseball icon Jackie Robinson, condemned the use of her father's image as well, tweeting that the Trump campaign is "in opposition to all that Jackie Robinson stood for and believed in."
Jackie Robinson's family strongly objects to the use of Jackie Robinson's image in a Donald Trump @JRFoundation The Trump campaign is in opposition to all that Jackie Robinson stood for and believed in. We're insulted and demand that his image be removed! @realDonaldTrump
— Sharon Robinson (@sharonarobinson) October 8, 2020
People were quick to back her up.
This. https://t.co/dTDRccp2Cx
— Vincent M. Williams ✊🏿 (@VinceMWill) October 9, 2020
You heard them! https://t.co/OMHpDIODcO
— Mike Wayne (@Mr_Hollywood_Tx) October 9, 2020
not now but RIGHT NOW. https://t.co/GUoCnNeWwa
— Jay (@jaylaxo_) October 9, 2020
A recent Pew Research Center poll found Democratic nominee Joe Biden supported by 81 percent of Black voters sampled.
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