Fooled by the okie doke
If you’ve never heard anyone say, “the old okie doke,” allow me to explain. Obviously, you think in terms of agreement, but when used in certain ways, it means that someone pulled something over on you. Let me explain further.
Rocky Jones owns a barber shop in one of the most upscale areas in Atlanta-Buckhead. He has been in his shop for 17 years, and he said he does well. He was recently contacted and asked to host a roundtable for Black business owners. Where have we heard the terms “Black roundtable” before? You’ve got it: Jones was a victim of the Trump okie doke. Jones said that he received a text message and phone call, asking him to host “a small private gathering for Black small business owners.” Because he’s been successful with his small business, Jones readily agreed to host the event. In fact, he thought it was a great idea.
Instead of a “small, private” gathering for discussing small Black business, Jones’ shop was overrun by Trump supporters, including Ben Carson. One attendee who also thought he was attending a roundtable, Mark Boyd, told the Guardian that he found himself sitting next to two Republican representatives, one of whom was taking a call from Donald Trump. Morgan told the Guardian: “When I came in and saw the doggone sign ‘Blacks for Trump’ or whatever, I’m like: ‘Well, that’s the okey-doke. But I’m going to get their ass.” Morgan then brought up Trump’s claims that he’s being “railroaded” and asked what Trump plans to do about Blacks getting caught up in the same type of situation. Trump, of course, dodged the question. It should be perfectly clear to anyone with a brain cell that Trump doesn’t care about issues unless they impact him.
According to Jones, this function caused plenty of problems for him, including angry people who Jones said, “don’t know me.” He said that they never talk about politics in his shop. “It’s all sports.” Jones said that he does encourage people to vote, but it’s their business for whom they vote. He said he does not get into those conversations at all. Jones also said that the Trump event has cost him business, but he is hopeful that once the controversy passes, people will return. Atlanta’s 11 Alive reported on this as well and reached out to Trump’s campaign. They have, of course, not responded.
When you must trick people to show support for you, something is very wrong. Donald Trump shouldn’t lie about these “roundtables” simply because Black folks have no interest in him but asking him not to lie would be akin to asking him not to speak, which would be fine as well. Regardless of how President Biden performed in the first debate, he has performed well as president. Because of the job President Biden has done, we certainly don’t need a lying fraud in the White House. Most importantly, we don’t need anyone in office who believes that our capabilities and jobs are defined by our race. We need a president who looks forward, not backwards. Donate to Palmer Report
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years