By: William Fairfax

Omarosa and Trump,  photo via Reuters — Omarosa and Trump, *photo via Reuters*

After reading Omarosa’s letter to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), I was most disturbed with the line: “We would like to schedule a follow up meeting with the entire membership of the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss issues pertinent to your members” the truly disturbing wording comes across as you saying you don’t share the issues pertinent to the members all who share the same race as you. Regardless of altering experiences, how can you completely dissociate yourself with the history of black struggle?

Omarosa is the director of African American Outreach for the White House. Despite her heavy involvement in the administration, she has remained remarkably silent on issues regarding race relations. A few days ago, a shameless verdict came down involving the systematic execution of Philando Castile, and there was not a peep from the White House. Omarosa’s position is supposed to make her a friend and ally of the black community; an active representation of the needs and worries black people have. But there’s one problem: it looks like Omarosa’s position in an administration that is very much so lacking diversity is making her forget she is very much so BLACK, a graduate of 2 HBCU’s. How did you get to this point, Omarosa – aligning yourself with an administration whose Secretary of the Department of Education carelessly referred to HBCU’s as “HCBUs” and “pioneers of choice” in a press statement? HBCU’s were founded because black folks weren’t allowed entry into white institutions. There was no “choice”.

Omarosa is in dire need of a reality check: when you walk outside the White House doors, those same police officers who killed Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Sandra Bland, and so many countless others view you the same way. Your title and position will never mean anything to white supremacy. “For Liberty and justice for all” should come with an asterisk, if you don’t possess white skin, justice is too often only a dream and falsehood.

I don’t blame you for what has happened to our African-American brothers and sisters, I blame you for having a seat at the table on behalf of our community and doing nothing with it. You’ve allowed yourself to become a photo-op for diversity (at this point, you’re that “I have a black friend card) instead of a voice. Leadership is action, not a position. You have a truly rare opportunity in this administration to open up doors for the community that your roots are in. You’ve sold yourself out, but the question is why?

Why aren’t you meeting with the parents of those who lost their children at the ends of trigger-happy police, who have you reached out to in the case of Flint, Michigan, what is being done about the merciless gang violence in Chicago, and what are you doing about the rising opiod crisis in the African-American community? You’ve put little to no effort in advocating for African-Americans. This is a travesty and a case of lost identity. You’ve truly forgotten your roots and where you come from.

I will leave you with this: Never lose sight of where you are going, but don’t forget where you came from.