Time to speak out

As President Trump displays his views, those who support him should also be held accountable for remaining silent in the face of these racist policies and words. Unfortunately, those who have supported Trump are breaking their necks trying to look the other way.

To Oklahoma’s elected leaders: Your silence is deafening. Show some courage in the face of small-minded, vulgar language directed at millions of respectable people. People need to hear unequivocal repudiation of this diatribe from the president. Words matter, especially when they come from the office of the president. Trump’s comments remind us that racism is alive and well. We have a duty to call it what it is. Speaking out against Trump is not because of political correctness. It is because Trump is shaping policies that affect millions of lives.

Rep. Steve Russell’s call for Trump to apologize is a good first step. Just as Russell calls for Trump to apologize, he also seeks to make excuses for Trump by pointing out that it was a “heated discussion” that caused the remarks to be made. Often in “heated discussion” the truth comes out. In heated discussions, people’s core beliefs and deepest fears are exposed.

Trump’s core belief about the superiority of the white race has been the guiding hand behind the immigration policy that he has spoken about since he took the fateful ride down the escalator to announce his candidacy.

James L. Stovall, Oklahoma City