This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/16/opinion/trump-dr-king.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Donald Trump’s Words, and Dr. King’s Donald Trump’s Words, and Dr. King’s
(about 4 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “A Definitive List of Donald Trump’s Racist Statements,” by David Leonhardt (column, Jan. 15):Re “A Definitive List of Donald Trump’s Racist Statements,” by David Leonhardt (column, Jan. 15):
After reading this list, I followed Mr. Leonhardt’s advice for spiritual cleansing and watched the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It reminded me of how far we have come as a nation in race relations and how far we have to go. After reading this list, I followed Mr. Leonhardt’s advice for spiritual cleansing and watched the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Watching this speech again reminded me of how far we have come as a nation in race relations and how far we have to go.
Listening to the eloquent words that Dr. King spoke makes me think of all the sacrifices some have made to advance racial justice and how little others have done to increase understanding between people. To those who question the need for continued advances in racial, gender, religious and ethnic equality, I ask: Which side of history do you want to be on? Listening to the eloquent words that Dr. King spoke in his rich cadence makes me think of all the sacrifices some have made to advance racial justice and how little others have done to increase understanding between people. To those who question the need for continued advances in racial, gender, religious and ethnic equality, I ask: Which side of history do you want to be on?
EDWIN ANDREWS, MALDEN, MASS.EDWIN ANDREWS, MALDEN, MASS.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Trump Language Tangles Solution for a Shutdown” (front page, Jan. 16): President Trump’s words, while terribly offensive, are no reason for members of Congress to retreat from their responsibility, which is to negotiate an immigration deal. If offensive words are enough to stop them, they shouldn’t be there. We expect them to do their job despite objectionable behavior, just as Americans do on a daily basis.Re “Trump Language Tangles Solution for a Shutdown” (front page, Jan. 16): President Trump’s words, while terribly offensive, are no reason for members of Congress to retreat from their responsibility, which is to negotiate an immigration deal. If offensive words are enough to stop them, they shouldn’t be there. We expect them to do their job despite objectionable behavior, just as Americans do on a daily basis.
ANDREA ECONOMOSHARTSDALE, N.Y.ANDREA ECONOMOSHARTSDALE, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I am definitely not a Trump supporter, but was it appropriate of Senator Dick Durbin to, one may say, weaponize Mr. Trump’s deplorable words and jeopardize by doing that an important but vulnerable agreement about the Dreamers? Unless I’m missing something here, it was irresponsible of the senator not to control his immediate feelings and to engage in what seems noble but was actually unwise in terms of realpolitik.I am definitely not a Trump supporter, but was it appropriate of Senator Dick Durbin to, one may say, weaponize Mr. Trump’s deplorable words and jeopardize by doing that an important but vulnerable agreement about the Dreamers? Unless I’m missing something here, it was irresponsible of the senator not to control his immediate feelings and to engage in what seems noble but was actually unwise in terms of realpolitik.
VALENTIN LYUBARSKY, BROOKLYNVALENTIN LYUBARSKY, BROOKLYN
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Trump’s Words Eclipsing Deal for ‘Dreamers’ ” (front page, Jan. 15): Given his frequent use of vicious insults and slurs on Twitter and his utter lack of decency in so many aspects of public life, I have no trouble believing that President Trump used the phrase “shithole countries” about Africa and Haiti. Given how often he lies, even about easily verifiable facts, I have no reason to credit his denial. Re “Trump’s Words Eclipsing Deal for ‘Dreamers’ ” (front page, Jan. 15): Given his frequent use of vicious insults and slurs on Twitter and his utter lack of decency in so many aspects of public life, I have no trouble believing that President Trump used the phrase “shithole countries” when talking about Africa and Haiti. Given how often he lies, even about easily verifiable facts, I have no reason to credit his denial.
But let’s grant for the sake of argument that he didn’t say it. His administration’s move to suddenly expel thousands of long-established and well-integrated populations of Haitians and Salvadorans from the United States suggests that he embraces the sentiment whether or not he spoke the words.But let’s grant for the sake of argument that he didn’t say it. His administration’s move to suddenly expel thousands of long-established and well-integrated populations of Haitians and Salvadorans from the United States suggests that he embraces the sentiment whether or not he spoke the words.
His eager pursuit of brown- and black-skinned immigrants in general has smacked of white supremacy. Let’s not lose sight of that fact. The disputed phrase is outrageous. His undisputed actions are worse.His eager pursuit of brown- and black-skinned immigrants in general has smacked of white supremacy. Let’s not lose sight of that fact. The disputed phrase is outrageous. His undisputed actions are worse.
ANNA CYPRA OLIVERGREAT BARRINGTON, MASS.ANNA CYPRA OLIVERGREAT BARRINGTON, MASS.
To the Editor:
Isn’t President Trump’s assertion that he’s not a racist a bit like President Richard Nixon’s affirmation that he’s not a crook?
PAUL NAGY, FOREST CITY, IOWA
To the Editor:To the Editor:
The problem isn’t whether President Trump is a racist; clearly he is. The problem is that a third of the country still supports him, knowing full well he’s a racist and applauding it. It’s what got him elected, along with inventing “fake news” and lies too numerous to count. The problem is America, not just Mr. Trump.The problem isn’t whether President Trump is a racist; clearly he is. The problem is that a third of the country still supports him, knowing full well he’s a racist and applauding it. It’s what got him elected, along with inventing “fake news” and lies too numerous to count. The problem is America, not just Mr. Trump.
JOHN VOLLMER, BLOOMINGTON, IND.JOHN VOLLMER, BLOOMINGTON, IND.