President Donald Trump has never shied away from making bold assertions. In July 2020, he stated unequivocally, singing his own praises, ‘I’ve done more for Black Americans than anybody with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln. Nobody has even been close.’ And the striking thing is, not many people deny this. A public figure like Trump, with his audacious and upfront nature, is bound to make such emphatic statements.
The question on the mind of many is: How many African-Americans will Trump usher into his cabinet during his second term? Will the number be in single or double digits? With only one Black Cabinet member currently, this could be an area for Trump to expand upon. Although some black Republicans have shown their concerns regarding Trump’s current Cabinet representation, the majority continue to stand by the President, undeterred by these statistics.
As of late, a few black conservative voices have tentatively expressed their desire for increased diversity within the administration. Obviously, everyone is free to have their opinions; however, these seem to be muted concerns rather than a major outcry. This is by no means a majority perspective, a fact too often overlooked in discourse about Trump’s appointments.
To counter these voices, one must bring Orlando Owens to the forefront. A stalwart in Milwaukee’s leadership landscape and head of an organization instrumental in swaying black voters to Trump in the past elections, Owens has been categorical in supporting Trump’s policies. Securing the border, halting illegal immigration, bolstering the economy, and helping Americans get back to work – these are the policies Owens underscores when articulating why Trump has been instrumental in championing the needs of black Americans.
Owens challenges the narrative by emphasizing that one must focus on Trump’s policy initiatives, rather than getting sidetracked by discussions around skin tone or wealth. He has made it clear that the reason behind Trump’s electoral success is not some superficial criterion, but his vision for national improvement. ‘That’s what most people want and that’s why Trump won. It’s not about all this other stuff people are trying to make it out to be,’ Owens has gone on record stating.
Indubitably, some dissent among black figureheads is inevitable, even expected given any political scenario. They may have been anticipating a pattern similar to Trump’s previous tenure, implying potentially limited racial diversity. However, the expectation of overwhelmingly higher African American representation in the Cabinet comes across as surprising if not unrealistic.
In his first term, Trump had a Cabinet of 24 individuals, composed of 21 males and three females. Out of the male members, a significant 19 were white. Among the three women, two were white, and the board included representatives of each significant demographic in America – a Black, Hispanic, and Asian ancestry member each. Indeed, the concern for these critics is not the lack of minorities but an apparent desire for overrepresentation.
It’s interesting to note that the US presidents often seem to reserve one position for African Americans; that of the HUD. Despite this predictable assignment, some still worry about Trump’s perceived opposition to DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) initiatives and having a Cabinet that isn’t in favor of them. However, Trump’s perspective on DEI as bringing about reverse discrimination can hardly be disregarded as invalid.
It’s also fascinating to note that many of Trump’s appointees are extremely affluent. This not only shows Trump’s commitment in getting the best minds to work for the country but also lauds his strategy in attracting those that are instrumental to the nation’s fiscal health. There’s an assurance of economic acumen found in Trump’s Cabinet that is highly commendable.
Instead of merely harboring discontent on Trump’s appointments, this particular discourse opens doors for local community groups to ally in unprecedented ways. United they can stand, dispersed they could fall. This opportunity for local unity is not just limited to a few pockets of the country, it’s a call that reverberates across the nation.
It’s also the appropriate time to encourage support for local chapters of substantial organizations such as the NAACP, the Urban League and the American Civil Liberties Union. Any increase in support for these institutions can only help in bringing about positive change and growth within the communities they represent – it’s about fostering unity, not nursing division.
Indeed, if people of color don’t seize this opportunity to not just unite but also work collaboratively, they may have to grapple with challenging circumstances in the future. But it’s an ‘if’, a potential eventuality. That being said, President Trump’s policies and actions signal an effective leader and hence, deserve constructive criticism more than undue skepticism.
To conclude, Trump’s administration, like any other, should be judged on its merits and not on tokenistic attributes. As Orlando Owens rightfully points out, Trump’s policies should be the beacon guiding opinions rather than baseless conjecture, because at the end of the day, it’s the effective policies and their results that demonstrate the true mettle of a leader.