First, let me say I voted for Hillary Clinton. However, many of my friends and relatives supported Donald Trump.

Since the election, “Trumpsters” have heard, “You’re a racist!” This accusation is proclaimed as often as Trump signs were seen in northern Maine. The votes for “The Donald” from my friends and relatives rejected Barack Obama’s policies and Clinton’s proposals; race was not a factor. So why is this claim so ubiquitous?

“You’re a racist” is easy to say, but difficult to answer. The assumption, of course, is that the accuser is not a racist. The plaintiff remains smug, undefiled and aloof.

Next, the accused is immediately on the defensive. A single “I am not” does not seem to fit.

Finally, Clinton supporters can blame racists for her defeat. The indictment gives deference to those who voted for her.

The accusation is an implication that follows several premises. In 2008, collegians who did not support Obama were told “You’re a racist.” Criticize Eric Holder’s decisions, Colin Kaepernick’s protests, Elizabeth Warren’s posturing and Jesse Jackson’s theatrics and you may hear “You’re a racist.” The bar was raised to its apex when the first bobblehead doll of David Ortiz was deemed “racially insensitive.”

One absurd myth is that black Americans are never racist. This is so ridiculous that it hardly deserves a response. If you’ve heard a black student stand up in class and shout “Death to all white people!” then you would understand.

Again, I voted for Hillary Clinton, but to use the “race card” to explain her defeat is a good example of non sequitur reasoning. I won’t play that game. Will you?

Morton Soule

Portland

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