The post to his Facebook page shows a picture of President-elect Donald Trump speaking to former President Barack Obama at last week’s funeral for Jimmy Carter. A caption above the photo reads: “Do you realize, by the time I’m sworn in I’m going to be a felon that worked at McDonald’s? I’m blacker than you.”
I think there is both a racist and an anti-racist interpretation of this, but I also think that someone laughing at the anti-racist interpretation would probably know better than to post the joke publicly without context.
IMO the racist interpretation is that it’s funny because while the stereotype is true, the idea that behavior alone could bridge the distance between white people and black people is ridiculous.
The anti-racist interpretation is that it’s funny because in order for the stereotype to be true, the ridiculous notion that Trump is black and Obama is white would also have to be true. For the people who like Trump, there’s also the implication that it’s wrong to discriminate against someone just because according to the stereotype he’s more likely to be a felon, given that someone who definitely is a felon is also the right person to be President.
I guess it’s just pointing out the problem non-wealthy black people have to deal with, rather than solely blaming them for it? In order for that to be the subject of discussion, you do need to provide a lot of context if you don’t want the joke to become a racist dogwhistle.
The joke:
I think there is both a racist and an anti-racist interpretation of this, but I also think that someone laughing at the anti-racist interpretation would probably know better than to post the joke publicly without context.
What’s the anti racist interpretation?
IMO the racist interpretation is that it’s funny because while the stereotype is true, the idea that behavior alone could bridge the distance between white people and black people is ridiculous.
The anti-racist interpretation is that it’s funny because in order for the stereotype to be true, the ridiculous notion that Trump is black and Obama is white would also have to be true. For the people who like Trump, there’s also the implication that it’s wrong to discriminate against someone just because according to the stereotype he’s more likely to be a felon, given that someone who definitely is a felon is also the right person to be President.
I guess it’s just pointing out the problem non-wealthy black people have to deal with, rather than solely blaming them for it? In order for that to be the subject of discussion, you do need to provide a lot of context if you don’t want the joke to become a racist dogwhistle.
I feel it’s möre dank… But it’s not appropriate for a man of his stature to post it yeah