Black People Loved Ben Carson — Until He Started Talking Politics
By: Manny Otiko
Tags: Trump Administration, 2016 Election, Trump, Black, Race

Dr. Ben Carson (Gage Skidmore)

I normally delight in writing articles pointing out the foibles and hypocrisies of President Donald Trump and his gang of white-collar bandits. It is, in military parlance, a target-rich environment.

It’s easy to poke fun at a president who’s backed by the Christian right, yet has sex with porn stars and playmates. It’s also simple to skewer people who backed white nationalist policies, yet organized interracial orgies for their wives.

However, I don’t like writing about one of Trump’s associates, Dr. Ben Carson. It’s genuinely painful to see what he’s become.

I first heard about Carson in Nigeria in the 1980s, when my brother told me he read about the incredible story of the poor black boy who grew up to be a famed neurosurgeon. Black people around the world looked up to Carson. He was living proof that discredited all of the negative stereotypes about black intellectual achievement. Carson’s story and autobiography was something shared in black homes as a positive role model for children.

But then he retired from his medical career and started talking. And out came the far-right views such as claiming politically correctness was ruining the country, calling enslaved Africans “immigrants” and bashing Muslims. He also claimed that people only turned gay in prison, and became straight after they got out.

He went on FOX News which gave him a platform for his conservative views and stoked his ludicrous presidential ambitions. I always saw his presidential run as an attempt to pad his retirement account. Although I thought he must have earned enough money from his medical career and books to live a comfortable life. Still, I figured he’d raise his profile and jack-up his speaking fees by running for president.

I actually interviewed some Carson supporters who seemed to be enthralled with his oratory skills.

I personally have not seen evidence of white supremacist groups growing. — Dr. Ben Carson on the PBS NewsHour

“When I first heard him speaking on a news broadcast, I was in awe of his common sense and ability to clearly articulate the problems we face and the solutions we need,” said Cheryl Thompson, San Diego County coordinator for Carson’s 2016 committee.

After his presidential campaign petered out, Carson allied himself with Trump, the most overtly-racist president in recent history. Carson was happy to stand by Trump’s side even after he was called “gaffe-prone” and “low-energy.” By doing this, he put himself in an uncomfortable position. Now he was down with the Trump gang, he couldn’t openly criticize their racist policies.

He recently told the PBS NewsHour: “I personally have not seen evidence of white supremacist groups growing.”

Carson debased himself by accepting a position as secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), even after admitting that he wasn’t suited for a government position.

Carson’s two-year stint at HUD was marked by cronyism (he hired several family members,) overspending and gaffes. Lynne Patton, another Trump stooge, has a senior position at HUD, even though she has no background in housing. Patton got stuck in an elevator while touring a housing project. She now plans to do a reality show.

Carson later admitted running a government agency was more complicated than brain surgery. Gee, who knew? Apparently, Carson, didn’t really care for the job and only met with his senior staff once a week and often took Fridays off.

Now Carson is stepping down as HUD secretary, he leaves the Trump administration with no African-American in a cabinet-level position.

What did he achieve, other than being Trump’s highest-profile token? People will remember Carson’s reign at HUD for bone-headed policies such as suggesting cutting housing benefits would help people get out of poverty.

The New Republic stated: “HUD has also rolled back efforts to enforce fair housing policy, and in May, Carson put forward a housing proposal that would triple rents for the poorest residents in public housing.”

Like many other Trump officials, Carson leaves Washington, D.C., with his tail between his legs and his reputation in tatters. When people write his obituary, they won’t remember his inspiring story, they’ll remember he was part of the worst administration in modern history.