Trump's career in politics has its roots in the racist drivel that came to be known as 'birtherism.' His speech announcing his candidacy was notable for its racism. Racism permeated his campaign. As he occasionally paid lip service to other constituencies in order to "expand his base", the base itself remained, and remains, steadfastly racist. Steve Bannon's chief function in the campaign and in the White House is to serve a guarantor to the base that Trump will and does remain faithful to the racist roots of his campaign. His refusal to attend the NAACP Convention is not only because he's a coward (although he is certainly that); it's also and especially because he doesn't want the base to think he's softening. The base -- the ones who will support him even if he shoots someone on Fifth Ave., the 'Deplorables' -- the base remains racist: always was, always will be. Trump too.