Obama foments racial division - President inflames emotions to mobilize black voters
washingtontimes.com ^ | March 29, 2012 | Jeffrey T. Kuhner
Trayvon Martin has been tragically killed. The black Florida teen was shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, in the suburb of Sanford, Fla. Instead of letting justice take its course, race-baiters are exploiting Martin’s death. They are being led by President Obama. His actions have been irresponsible, fanning the flames of racial discontent and division. ....
Martin’s death has sparked national outrage, especially among civil rights leaders and the liberal media. He has become a symbol of racist injustice - a black kid killed in a gated community with a police department supposedly turning a blind eye. The Rev. Jesse Jackson says “blacks are under attack.” Louis Farrakhan vows “retaliation.” The Rev. Al Sharpton has organized massive protests, demanding Mr. Zimmerman be arrested and sent to jail. The New Black Panthers have placed a $10,000 bounty for the shooter’s capture. They issued a poster: “Wanted Dead or Alive.” This is racialist demagoguery - pure and simple.
Yet, it was Mr. Obama who turned this tragedy into a national issue. At a recent news conference, he urged Americans to engage in “soul-searching.” Moreover, Mr. Obama said, “If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.” The president’s aides claim he was showing compassion for the victim’s family. In reality, he poured gasoline on the racialist fires. Under pressure from the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Obama gave them what they wanted: He put the presidential spotlight on Martin’s death - and thereby bolstered the burgeoning protests.
Mr. Obama’s comments were shameful. No one can know what his “son would look like.” The statement was meant as a sign of race solidarity; Martin was black, and so by extension, Mr. Obama shares the victim’s racial identity.
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