Trump is no friend of black people. This fact is so obvious that a large number of white Americans are finally starting to acknowledge it. A new poll from the Washington Post and ABC News finds that 52 percent of Americans believe Trump holds 'a racial bias against black people,' with 40 percent 'strongly' believing that. The poll also provides an opportunity for a teachable moment about how we discuss and understand racism in America. Even the language of its question -- 'Do you think Trump is biased against black people?' -- demands an intervention and corrective. First, 'bias' is a common deflection in post-civil rights era 'colorblind' racial discourse. It would be more accurate to ask whether respondents thought Trump was racist. Second, racism is not an opinion. It is a fact...the existence of racism is not open to speculation or debate.
At www.salon.com
