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How do we think about the George Floyd murder?
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Poor leadership has led America into chaos

The issue lies in the failure of President Trump to understand the gravity of the unfolding crisis, or, to care for the cries of protestors. As former Vice President Biden said of Trump's erratic and despotic behaviour on the issue: “This president today is part of the problem and accelerates it.” Rather than unite the nation in a time of chaos, Trump has seeded division. Proponents include Biden, and Jewish and Christian leaders including Rabbi Jack Moline, President of the Interfaith Alliance.

The Argument

For the duration of the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, it seems that President Donald Trump appears mostly apathetic to the cries for change. During a statement he made on the economy, he went on to say that George Floyd would approve of the latest numbers. [1] It was a statement that undoubtedly offset protesters and supporters of the Black Lives Matter Movement as it seemed to make light of his death. The placement of this statement alongside an update on the economy serves to make it all the more jarring. What happened to George Floyd sparked unrest throughout the nation. It is arguably a dialogue that the President should have kept separate. Putting the topics of the economy and George Floyd's death together in the way that he did only served to inflame an issue that is already a sore spot amongst Americans. President Trump has also routinely tried placing blame on groups such as Antifa for the outbreaks of rioting and looting, despite there being no evidence for their involvement. [2] Trying to blame organizations that have no hand in the protests, combined with inflammatory statements, paint a picture of a leader disconnected from his people. It shows that the President is not heeding the words of protesters. Instead of addressing the problems protesters believe are meaningful, he is showing more concern for what he believes is meaningful. Capable leaders take the time to listen to the people they are charged with serving. This disconnect in Donald Trump's leadership is part of what causes people to perceive him as a poor leader.

Counter arguments

Counter to the view that suggests President Donald Trump experiences a disconnect with the country, the President has at the same time being open to discussing reform. In June, he held a roundtable with law enforcement officials in the White House, expressing openness to suggestions regarding policing. [3] Organizing the roundtable seems to attest to a well-meaning effort by President Trump to address the change protesters sought.

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/politics/trump-george-floyd-maine/index.html
  2. https://www.businessinsider.com/read-trump-response-why-george-floyd-protesters-demonstrating-fox-news-2020-6
  3. https://www.npr.org/2020/06/11/874413290/trump-to-address-disparities-at-dallas-event
This page was last edited on Monday, 9 Nov 2020 at 22:53 UTC

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