Americans Need a President, Americans Need to Listen.

President Donald Trump's made a phone call to all U.S. Governors on how to deal with the protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The New York Times Katie Rogers, Jonathon Martin, and Maggie Haberman leaked the almost seven minute conversation. The audio, along with a full transcript is provided here.

President Trump said in his speech yesterday, "As their president, I will fight to keep them safe. I will fight to protect you." Later he said he is, "an ally to all peaceful protesters." Police used flash bangs and tear gas to move protesters so the President could take a picture with the bible in front of a church in D.C. Trump is asking for protesters to be arrested with severe penalties according to the leaked phone conference. He called protesters "terrorists" and believes the protesters are "looking to do bad things to our country." The President was also quoted saying, "You have to dominate. If you don’t dominate, you’re wasting your time. They’re going to run over you. You’re going to look like a bunch of jerks. You have to dominate."

According to Carson McCullough of Court House News, a recent poll suggests 78% of Americans support or somewhat support the protests. 22% strongly or somewhat oppose the protests, while 23% say they have no side. A recent Gallup poll about race relations speaks volumes. Since 2014, numbers have changed significantly among the state of race relations.

When asked, How much do you personally worry about race relations?

March 2010-2014: A Great Deal avg. was 16.2%

March 2015-2019: A Great Deal avg. was 36.4%

When asked, How would you say local police in your area treat racial minorities including blacks?

Whites 2016: Unfairly/Very Unfairly 20%

Blacks 2016: Unfairly/Very Unfairly 48%

When asked, Do you think racism against whites is or is not widespread in the U.S?

Nationally:

2015: Yes 33% No 66%

2016: Yes 41% No 57%

Riots are bad, but sometimes necessary. Black Americans feel attacked. They've been shouting from the rooftops for decades, they've protested peacefully and were shut out. "The Confederate Flag is southern pride, the national anthem isn't a good time to protest, I was late to work because protesters are blocking the streets, they're burning buildings to the ground we need to stop the protests." When is it convenient for you so they can protest? You don't like them protesting in the streets because you're frustrated and angry you didn't get to where you needed to go on time. Imagine feeling frustrated and angry your entire life because you're black. That is why people protest. They want you to feel the disadvantage they feel every day. That's the reality of the lives they live and we ignore.

The problem with America is not people protesting systemic racism, the problem is Americans don't want to listen. Not understanding that we have a problem in this country is not ignorance, it's a choice. Racists choose to look the other way, not educate themselves. "All Lives Matter," "Blue Lives Matter," is not a platform for all lives, it's an excuse for bad people to use so they don't have to see things for what they are. You're feeding arguments to racists be worse instead of starving them to become better. Black people consistently have a disadvantage in this country. Jon Stewart said it best, "Race is there and it is a constant. You're tired of hearing about? Imagine how [expletive] existing it is living it." Systemic racism is there and it needs to end and it won't end until we all work together to educate our citizens.