Commentary

COMMENTARY: President Trump: Destroying the American idea

WESTSIDE GAZETTE — “It is clear that it does not matter how many people are assassinated, how many buildings are invaded by some deranged person who believes he is doing the will of the President or how many letter bombs are put into our mail delivery system. He has shown the ranting and lies will continue. Simply put, President Trump does not care what he looks and sounds like…” — Rasheed Z. Baaith

Published

7 years ago

February 9, 2019

Oakland Post

Pastor Rasheed Baaith

“Therefore thus saith the LORD: Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” (Jeremiah 34:17)

By Rasheed Z. Baaith

While it has not been surprising, it has been interesting to watch President Trump do all that he can to destroy the dream of America’s Founding Fathers. At least destroy it for those who do not look like, behave like or think like him. He does not want his supporters to just label those unlike them. He wants his supporters to hate them. He believes the foundation for your political activism should be the deepness of your hate for someone.

His core supporters, like him, have decided to close off America both from within and without. They have decided to make this happen employing the political process and unleashing as much verbal hatred as they can. Faces contorted with anger, voices raised as loud as possible, and fists punching the air, they believe they are making America great.

It is clear that it does not matter how many people are assassinated, how many buildings are invaded by some deranged person who believes he is doing the will of the President or how many letter bombs are put into our mail delivery system. He has shown the ranting and lies will continue. Simply put, President Trump does not care what he looks and sounds like. Nor do those who imitate what he says and behave as he does. There is on his behalf, a complete aversion to decency and veracity.

President Trump has made it undeniably clear he does not represent all American people nor does he want to. He is not interested in broadening his political base, or closing political divides. Neither does he want to unify America. His goal to govern through a policy of “them vs. us.” All who are considered “them” in the minds of President Trump and his supporters, deserve as much odious vilification as his lips can utter.

We are living in a very dangerous time. People believe it is within their right to question the legitimacy of Black people to shop, eat dinner in public, lease an apartment, wait for tow trucks or enjoy a park. Let alone be in the environment of good college. Even our children are not excluded from this race based behavior.

It is not just the depiction of a caravan of desperate people as “invaders” or his refusal to even mention the Black people shot down in Kentucky, which happened the same week as the mail bombs and the Synagogue murders that should scare us.

What should scare is how welcome many Americans are of accepting the vision of an intellectually diminutive man whose vision is like that of a kindergartner. He only sees in colors.

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This article originally appeared in The Westside Gazette.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

6 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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Activism

2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More

Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). File photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.

She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.

What stands out as your most important achievement this year?

Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?

The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.

What frustrated you the most this year?

The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.

What inspired you the most this year?

The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.

What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?

As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?

Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.