Donald Trump, Racism and 'The Ugly American'

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're sending you, they're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists... And some, I assume, are good people."

"Our great African-American President hasn’t exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore.”

“An ‘extremely credible source’ has called my office and told me that Barack Obama’s birth certificate is a fraud."

The 2016 Republican presidential race, has brought the subject of racism and race, front and center. Some might even argue that we have presidential front-runner Donald Trump to thank for it. The whole world is watching, and the general worldwide consensus is that Trump is the epitome of what has been coined "The Ugly American." While appearing loud, arrogant, demeaning and ignorant, Trump has unleashed a revolution of sorts, and sides have been taken. Mr. Trump emerged onto the political scene, promising to protect the country from the influx of illegal immigrants. However, in doing so, Mr. Trump made a dangerous declaration, calling Mexican immigrants "drug dealers" and "rapists."

Donald Trump's political platform has remained one of anger and hostility, and his words have evoked acts of violence on more than one occasion. Trump's followers have embraced his message of hate and bigotry, despite serious questions regarding Trump's leadership abilities, or his basic understanding of foreign policy. While they may argue that it's Trump's business saavy that they are trusting to "Make America Great Again", it is really more an issue of race. Mr. Trump has amassed an enormous following by appealing to the inner racist that lives in many Americans. This might explain why members of the KKK and numerous white supremacists support Mr. Trump. Many believe Donald Trump has pulled the white sheet off of the Republican Party thereby exposing the racism that has been hiding in the shadows. There are those who believe Trump is simply saying all of the things that republicans truly believe or as Trump might argue, they have been way too concerned about political correctness. I must say that I would have to disagree with that assessment.

There are certainly a number of republicans who do hold racist views. But I also believe that a greater number of republicans have been offended by and take issue with some of the statements made by the bombastic billionaire. I do not honesty believe, that the Republican Party is racist as a whole, and Donald Trump has helped me see this. Republicans and Democrats see the world quite differently, but not necessarily in a racial sense. While republicans argue against more government and our huge deficit, Democrat's argue for the poor, the elderly and social programs. It is more of an argument of priorities than of race. Donald Trump has made me see that the great racial divide only exists if we allow ourselves to have a them or us mentality. Mr. Trump's rhetoric has created a division, however I believe most of us have the intellectual fortitude to recognize a snakeoil salesman when we see one, or so I hope.

Americans who hold unfavorable opinions of Donald Trump, by gender

Men 58% Women 70%