Trump Is What Martin Luther King Jr. Was Fighting Against, Says Leonard Pitts Jr.

By Steve Kraske,

Published January 15, 2018 at 2:55 PM CST

"I don't understand at this point how anyone can willfully not see" Pres. Donald Trump's racism, says nationally-syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. "There is not a little bit of evidence, there is a tower of evidence."

On this holiday commemorating Martin Luther King Jr., Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. offers his thoughts on the slain civil rights leader, and critiques President Donald Trump's recent tributes to Dr. King and Rosa Parks. When it comes to the president's recent disputed remarks about certain African countries, Haiti, and El Salvador, and his track record on race, Pitts calls for the media to be "more forthright in calling this what it is" — racism.

Tags

Up To Date Talk Show race Martin Luther King Jr.media journalism Donald Trump history Racism A Year Of Trump

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

See stories by Steve Kraske

Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

See stories by Danie Alexander