OPINION | Barry Richard: Globe Columnist Targets White ‘Trump Youth’

I feel immense pity for those who spend their days looking for the racist boogieman around every corner. It must be a horrible way to live. So much hatred. So much ignorance and mistrust. They are everything they claim to despise. Boston Globe columnist Renee Graham is one of those people.

My first emotion after reading Graham's Globe column, "You Can Read The White Rage In Their MAGA Hats," was anger over her smug, rude and judgmental attitude. But then I realized that I was placing myself at her level. In her eyes, though, that would be impossible, since I am nothing more than a white male who proudly supports President Donald Trump.

After reading her piece several more times, my anger turned to pity, and I began to feel bad for her. She obviously believes herself to be morally and intellectually superior to we mere mortals. At least the white male ones.

What a terrible place to be.

In her column, Ms. Graham, an African American woman, recalls a recent visit to The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. She describes seeing a small group of young, white, teenage boys, "possibly part of a class trip," wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and tees:

"I saw the gathering over my shoulder — first one, then three, then more. Some wore the familiar red hats, while others opted for white, President Trump’s preferred color. Some also sported T-shirts bearing Trump’s slogan. All of them were white teenage boys. Clearly, this was meant as a provocation."

She continues:

"As the boys walked by, African-American visitors had a variety of reactions. One woman looked them up and down, then shook her head. A man rolled his eyes. Another woman gave them side-eye so sharp it could have pierced metal. Still, people refused to give them the greater acknowledgment they might have sought. We had more important things to do."

While Graham admits the young men she labeled "the Trump Youth," "did nothing disruptive," she questions their reason visiting the museum in the first place, suggesting that their motive might have been to "denigrate African American history."

Earth to Ms. Graham: you do not own African American history. African American history is American history, and it's a part of our collective culture. The good and the bad.

Ms. Graham concludes her hate speech by suggesting, "We will not be intimidated by people in MAGA hats - or the noxious president they represent."

This poor woman is filled with rage and hatred for a group of young, white kids who were respectful and interested enough to visit the museum while in D.C. Perhaps they were your kids.

Don't hate her back. End the cycle of hatred and ignorance. Pity this poor woman.