Boycotting Trump was wrong call

Child sees Santa Claus. Child is afraid of Santa. Child refuses to speak with Santa. Parents reason with child, explaining that if he doesn’t talk, Kris Kringle won’t know what he wants and, therefore, won’t be able to work his magic.

Not surprisingly, the child sees the light, ensuring that all will be well on Christmas day.

Since we know that such logic works – good things happen when people talk, face-to-face, human-to-human – then why are we increasingly doing the opposite?

Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue, our propensity is now to slam the door in someone’s face and ignore them completely.

And as respect and courtesy go by the wayside, so too does the essence of our humanity – and our ability to make progress.

Most ironic is that the very people who choose this behavior – usually announced via a very public tweet about how they’ll stage a walkout, boycott this, or protest that, followed by a social media evisceration of those with whom they disagree – are the ones who complain the most about how bad things are.

Totally lost on them is the fact that you can’t fix something until you have an honest conversation about what the problem is, how it originated, and ramifications to proposed solutions.

So, by definition, avoiding those with whom one disagrees guarantees that solutions will never be found.

That mentality was on full display recently when President Trump visited the newly opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Rather than working with the commander-in-chief to continue the work of civil rights pioneers and discover solutions to today’s race issues, scores of leaders boycotted the president’s appearance.

How utterly disrespectful – not to mention extremely counterproductive. It’s not every day that the president of the United States comes knocking, especially in off-the-beaten path Mississippi.

Support him or not, it is inarguable that his presence automatically elevates everything and everyone around him. In refusing to kowtow to those demanding he stay away, Mr. Trump, in the span of an hour, put the Civil Rights museum on the map.

Now, countless millions, both in the United States and abroad, have a more thorough understanding of the struggles, sacrifices and triumphs of those, both black and white, who fought the civil rights battles.

By addressing America’s unique ability to rectify past mistakes, as well as discussing the challenges of today, President Trump’s visit should have ushered in a new round of dialogue as we look to bridge our racial divide.

But because some prima donnas didn’t like the president and his platform, they invoked their sense of entitlement – their “right” to be offended – and acted like spoiled brats. In turning their backs on the nation’s leader, they unwittingly dishonored the very people whom the museum honors, and embarrassed themselves, their Party, and their country.

Worst of all, they stalled their agenda, hurting those they claim need the most help.

Clearly, Donald Trump’s behavior, insults and flip statements are indefensible (and selfdefeating). But neither they, nor the platform he advocates, make him a racist.

Obviously, many are opposed to some of his policies. But it’s time to stop playing the race card every time an idea is floated that some don’t like. Doing so victimizes those who truly experience racial prejudice.

The plight of the black community has not changed in decades.

Inner city schools are among the very worst (and no, it’s not for lack of resources).

Without education, job prospects are extremely limited. Many neighborhoods are crimeridden, which scares off companies and further compounds the job problem.

One doesn’t have to agree with the president, but to stubbornly refuse to listen to him, simply because he is a Republican, is foolish.

Americans have a choice. We can keep turning our backs on all who dare disagree, in which case the status quo wins.

Or we can welcome new ideas, even if, God forbid, they come from “the other side.”

Most of all, we can re-learn what it means to work with each other – human-to-human – to find common ground so that all Americans win.

Santa, if you’re listening – what a Christmas present that would be.