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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gary Crooks: Trump’s racial politics unappetizing

On Cinco de Mayo, Donald Trump tweeted a photo of himself hunched over a taco salad proclaiming, “I love the Hispanics!”

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman replied with a line from an African-American friend: “Next up, a photo of Trump with fried chicken and the caption: ‘I love the blacks!’ ”

Such is the sophistication of the presumptive Republican nominee on the complicated issues of race and ethnicity. Small wonder that racially charged incidents are commonplace at his rallies.

He can’t bridge the divide with photos of lunch, and he certainly can’t do it by denying an African-American newspaper press credentials to his Spokane appearance.

The latter occurred Friday, when Black Lens, a monthly publication, learned it had been turned down. The email from the Trump campaign said, in part, “we must limit the number of credentialed media and give priority to our national and local outlets.”

It doesn’t get more local than a Spokane newspaper at a Spokane rally. Black Lens was given access to Spokane appearances by Bernie Sanders and Bill Clinton.

Black Lens editor Sandra Williams and a photograher did end up getting a press pass to Saturday’s event, but there’s no excuse for the initial snub, especially for a campaign that’s repeatedly ridden roughshod over race issues.

Naima Quarles-Burnley, president of the local NAACP chapter, said on Friday she wasn’t surprised: “He seems to be advocating for restrictive rights and not allowing for an appreciation of people who have different religions or different cultures.”

I wasn’t surprised either. None of us should be at this point. Because on the issue of race, the Trump campaign is typically out to lunch.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH. Washington voters are opening their presidential primary ballots and pondering their “choices.”

Democrats know their party has already held a caucus and picked Bernie Sanders. For Republicans, it’s like going to “31 Flavors,” and finding out the only option left is Rocky Road.

With so many adults melting down, perhaps their kids should step in and offer some perspective. In my Facebook feed, amid all the fretting, is an article called “49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child,” from a website called Positive Parents.

What if children were to flip the script and employ those phrases to calm anxious adults?

“Let’s pretend we’re blowing up a giant balloon. We’ll take a deep breath and blow it up to the count of 5.”

No, Mom, a balloon. Not your ballot. Let’s try it again.

“If how you feel was a monster, what would it look like?”

Wow, that’s a lot of orange. What are you trying to say, Dad?

“Fill in this sentence: I can’t wait until …”

Um, 2020 is a long way off. Let’s think of something more immediate.

“What does your thought bubble say?”

So, basically, all the words I can’t say.

“Let’s watch your thought pass by.”

Whoa! That’s like a parade directed by Roald Dahl.

“I see Widdle is worried again. Let’s teach Widdle not to worry.”

Now you know how baby talk feels.

“I have your smell buddy right here.”

This would go better if you used lavender instead of rotten eggs.

“Let’s go to your happy place.”

I’m not old enough to go in there. Or, is that the point?

“Tell me the worst thing that could possibly happen.”

Let’s skip that one.

“Help me move this wall.”

And that one, too.

THE PROPOSITION. I received one reply to last week’s question about Spokane Valley council pay. So I’ve placed the The Proposition on leave.

Who knows, I may even fire it without telling you why.

See you next week.

Opinion Editor Gary Crooks can be reached at garyc@spokesman.com or (509) 459-5026. Follow him on Twitter @GaryCrooks.