When I heard some Pee Wee Herman-looking moron, Raymond Arroyo, was on FOX News gushing about how Trump’s gawd awful gold-painted sneakers were going to win TFG the Black Vote, all I could do was blink-blink.
Lawd, I wish I was joking.
A Fox News contributor suggested that Black voters would back Donald Trump in the 2024 election because they "love sneakers."
Raymond Arroyo made the remarks on The Big Weekend Show while discussing the $399 limited-edition shoes that Trump promoted at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia on Saturday.
The "Never Surrender High-Tops"—shiny gold high tops with an American flag detail on the back—have since sold out on a new website that also sells other Trump-branded shoes, cologne and perfume.
"This is connecting with Black America because they love sneakers," Arroyo said.
"This a big deal, certainly in the inner city. So when you have Trump roll out his sneaker line, they're like, 'wait a minute, this is cool.' He's reaching them on a level that defies and is above politics. The culture always trumps politics. And Trump understands culture like no politician I've ever seen." —Newsweek
I was too tired and non-surprised to have as big of a reaction as I should have.
MAGA is the Bastard Son of Reagen -- Snapshot of an Inner City Block #HIV #AIDS #MAGA #trump (youtube.com)
Instead, I became more introspective; I recalled how, when Obama was in office, someone made fake food stamps with chicken and watermelon images on them to protest the so-called Obama phones we Negroes were supposed to all be getting as a form of reparation—sigh.
That, too, was an errant arrow shot over the political bow—and another nonsurprise.
You almost become numb to the madness when you encounter enough of this mess consistently. But I don’t want to do that—I don’t want to become comfortably numb, no dis at Pink Floyd (The Wall is a Classic!)
In an effort to keep hold of my past and what I have learned from it, I have decided that every Saturday, I will record a video segment called Snapshot of a City Block, detailing misadventures, tragedies, and a firsthand account of what growing up in an ATL hood was like.
I want to do it to highlight the unsung heroes, the fallen, and the downright crazy shit I saw living in dirt-poor conditions during the 70-90s.
HIV/AIDS was sent to punish Dah Gays
Most of you who follow me know my father, William Carnell Norman, was a gay ex-vet, a proud Air Force man who loved to sing, keep a clean house, cook—he was also plagued by the demon of drugs.
The thing that struck me about the MAGA gold shoe commentary was how it was not unlike the whole “AIDS is a gift from Jehovah,” sentiment a ton of Republican lawmakers, and yeah, a lot of conservative, church-going citizens, held to be true in the 80-the 90s.
Both sentiments are steeped in Republican Othering of African Americans—the idea that we are not people but disposable caricatures. We become helpful when our votes are needed, ala, “Here’s your golden sneakers, you apes, give me your goodman ballot ingrates…” but when they feel they do not need us, it is okay to allow god to kill us with disease and plagues, especially since HIV/AIDS primarily ravaged the Black, gay and drug abusing communities.
The horrible disease went unchecked for nearly a decade—that is, until Golden Screen era icon Rock Hudson and that sweet, brave little boy, Ryan White, contracted HIV in the late 80s.
May every afflicted soul rest in peace.
Republicans couldn’t just leave it at the offensive gold sneakers remark; nope, Trump chimed in saying Blacks would vote for him more than Obama cuz of all of his crimin’ and persecution from Dah Man — mega eye roll.
See, if sneakers were the way to capture the low-functioning hive minds of us Negroes, well, being a criminal was gonna be a sure win.
Really, MAGA, really?
The Count of Mostly Crisco (thanks, Stephen Colbert) received so much pushback for his odious, racist stupidity that he felt the need to defend himself, claiming lamely that Biden was the real racist.
Erhm. No. Just no.
In any case, I will be delving into my past and dusting off memories I haven’t looked at for decades. I am partly inspired by the BBC program The Repair Shop—a gem of a series where people bring in family heirlooms for restoration.
I have nothing from my dad save for old photo albums, the love of all kinds of music, and the mixed legacy he left. There will be painful, emotional submergence in the coming weeks, but pain, like anger, can be beneficial in doses, especially if it pricks you awake.
It lets you know you are still alive, kicking and fighting.
Love~!
'Trash A$$ Sneakers': Fox News Fools Claim Trump Won Over Black Voters With Gold Sneaker Line (youtube.com)