Trump Is No Champion of Criminal Justice Reform

While I appreciate what Donald Trump did today to commute the sentence of Alice Johnson (something that was long overdue), this is not some change of heart by the Trump administration towards criminal justice reform.

Let's not get it twisted.

Neither Trump nor Jeff Sessions (who was opposed to the commutation of Ms. Johnson's sentence) are interested in any type of reform regarding criminal justice or law enforcement.

This is the very same administration that continues to lash out at Black athletes and labeling them as unpatriotic for pushing for reforms and simply speaking their truth to bring awareness to police brutality.

What Trump did today for Alice Johnson is nothing more than political posturing in what I believe is an attempt to win over POC and give himself some credibility within our communities.

We won't fall for it.

This is far from being a champion of criminal justice reform.

It is Trump's policies (implemented by Jeff Sessions) that are separating children from their parents; destroying families who are legally coming to America in search of sanctuary, only to be torn apart by this heartless regime and their Gestapo like tactics.

It is Jeff Sessions (with Trump's blessing) who echoes the sentiments of the white supremacist culture within the law-enforcement community.

It's a culture that has been perpetuated since the reconstruction era after the Civil War and continues unabated to this day.

Make no mistake, this administration has nothing but resentment for POC.

Their mission is to eliminate entire cultures, white-wash history, and prevent the inevitable browning of America.

These are the actions of racist, bigoted cowards.

Trump's entire administration is built (by design) to appease the ideals of white supremacists, to increase the level of hate and division in America, to pit us against one another; a strategy that indoctrinates many and drives their new found hatred towards all POC.

As we celebrate and thank Donald Trump for giving Ms. Johnson's family hope, let's not forget the migrant children being treated like animals in kennels; that over 4500 people died in Puerto Rico due to their neglect; the damage they seek to continue inflicting on POC.

Their blatant racism.

We, the American people, of all races, religions, and cultures must stand united and fight back against the oppressive ideals of the Trump administration.

It's up to us to fight and maintain our moral integrity, not just to better our nation, but to better the entire world.

While the world seems to be turning their backs on us because of Trump's policies, it's up to us to save ourselves from within.

We cannot continue to allow the unabated destruction of what our country is supposed to be.

One of inclusion, empathy, equality, unity and equity.

We must all do our civic duty to get America moving in the right direction again. Whether it's getting out to vote, speaking out against oppression and racism, volunteering in our communities, or speaking up for migrant families, we must all do our part. We are the change we seek.

Let us stand together.

Let us be one voice with the power of hundreds of millions.

Let us make sure our voices are heard.

Let us ensure our elected officials don't ignore us any longer.

America is a representative democracy. It's time to demand active representation.

We can do this.

But we have to do it together.

I love you all.