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While I think Trump intended no offense, someone really needs to explain to him how to speak with American blacks who are extremely touchy about words; and that some words/phrases do not necessarily mean the same to them as to other ethnic groups, especially "whites".Many African-Americans are expressing outrage over a testy exchange between President Donald Trump and a veteran black journalist, with many considering the incident to be the latest indication of his inability to relate to them.
Already skeptical of Trump, many blacks said they were exasperated by the fact that, during his news conference on Thursday, the new president asked April Ryan, longtime White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks, to help broker a meeting for him with black lawmakers.
"Will you meet with the Congressional Black Caucus?" Ryan asked. Trump responded: "I would. You want to set up the meeting? Are they friends of yours?"
The exchange set off a firestorm on social media as many black people balked at Trump's suggestion of an assumed relationship between Ryan and CBC members because they are of the same race.
Susan Rice, U.N. ambassador under the Obama administration, tweeted an article about the incident and called Trump's remarks "notably offensive."
Example: A better way of saying the same thing would be: "Yes, I would like to meet with the CBC. Who do you suggest I contact to set that meeting up?"
I hope Trump understands that "the deck is stacked against him" with regard to many, if not most, American blacks. He will have to go a long way to gather their support.
