Trump: racist or equal opportunity insulter?

I like that President Trump is willing to fight. Fight the mayors' intent on maintaining so-called sanctuary cities. Fight the Chinese with tariffs for trying to take advantage of the United States economically. Fight Turkey for the release of Andrew Brunson, the American pastor held there since 2016. But please -- please! -- stop fighting LeBron James.

One criticism former President George W. Bush endured was his unwillingness to punch back. He just stood there and took it. It was not a good tactic, though some, I guess, thought it looked noble. Former President Barack Obama definitely weakened America's global image, and I doubt most, if any, world leader took him seriously in terms of his willingness to go toe to toe. He seemed more willing to make nice and bow to them. While President Trump has shown an inclination to meet with rogues and tyrants, which rankles some folks, he has balanced that with tough language, equally tough follow-through, and skilled negotiations.

He fancies himself a "counter-puncher," which appears to be an accurate term -- if you don't count his lead punches on Attorney General Jeff Sessions. As president, you have to be willing to go at it. But with whom and for what are important and reveal much about who you recognize yourself to be.

�The President of the United States vs. the Lakers� LeBron James� (Oh, help me, Lord! Did this Lakers� fan just say that?!), though? �President� and �LeBron� do not belong in the same sentence, and the former boxing the latter is what we call �punching down.� Why does Trump feel the need to engage an NBA player in a debate, stating, �Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn�t easy to do. I like Mike!�? Translation: �Lemon is dumb, and so is LeBron.�

Really? Is this third grade? I don�t care if Trump thinks both are dumber than dirt, as they say, and I am not here to defend them or their intelligence. I am here to comment on the appropriateness of such a comment from the leader of the free world.

And for the record, LeBron�s comment that �sports has never been something that divides people [until Trump]. It�s always been something that brings someone together� sounds sweet, but it isn�t true. So while his basketball IQ is off the charts, he gets an F in history. Let�s be honest: The same sports that unite, also divide � always will and always have.

But back to Trump�s assertion. His hardcore base loves what he said, but the intellectually honest and anyone who treasures the office will admit it�s beneath the office he holds. As Trump, the dude from New York City � it works. As Trump, the no-nonsense busness mogul, fine. As Trump, the reality TV star, absolutely. But Trump, the president? Nah. And how about simple maturity? Each of us knows, actually, there is nothing simple about maturity. It requires self-discipline. And self-discipline is difficult because when someone insults us, our 7-year-old selves we thought got left behind come running to catch up, and we are again those kids on the playground looking for a rock to throw back at the meanie who hurt our feelings. But again, maturity � self-discipline � sucking it up � whatever you want to call it.

Everyone who knows me knows I'm no LeBron James fan. In fact, being the Lakers fan that I am, I'm contemplating therapy to deal with him in purple and gold now. How do I root for the guy I've spent a decade-and-a-half "hatin'"? But I digress.

Despite my stance that the president's response to LeBron is inappropriate, I am not in the camp of those who see Trump's remarks as more "proof" that he is a racist. Let's take a look at this. How is calling someone "dumb" racist? Trump, unfortunately, has a history of insulting anyone he feels like insulting. He's an equal opportunity counter-puncher. He doesn't go after people based on their race. He goes after people based on his ego, based on his immaturity and always based on his perception of being justified. So if people are expecting this president to issue blacks a special exemption from attack -- or counter-attack -- we can forget it. It ain't happening. It's the ultimate in his application of equal rights.

And yes, I'm aware of the racism accusations in Omarosa's new book. Look, I didn't have good feelings about her when she was in the Trump administration, so I definitely don't trust her now that she has been removed from the White House, especially when some of her allegations have already been debunked by her so-called sources. And it's hard to believe anyone who accepts the paycheck, praise and prestige of a president and then passes out racism charges after ties are severed. Therefore, moving on...

I absolutely marvel at people -- many white -- who hear "dumb" and think immediately of blacks. Here are my questions: Why do you assume Trump is revealing racism against blacks when you hear him mention "dumb"? Is it possible you are the one who associates one with the other?

And for my black brothers and sisters: Why are we still so sensitive when it comes to the topic of intelligence? Do we, ourselves, not believe we are bright, capable and astute human beings? Do we not realize yet that some people of all stripes and persuasions are smart and some not-so-smart and that the not-smart description is not reserved for us? Are we that insecure still?

Finally, speaking as a black person to well-meaning folks of the Caucasian persuasion: If your first thought goes to "Trump is saying black people aren't intelligent" when he insults the intelligence of someone who just happens to be black, you might want to consider that maybe he's not the one connecting those two disparate things. Maybe he is not the one who is racist. Maybe you are actually the one who... I'll just leave that sentence hanging.

Looks like everyone has some maturing to do: the president and we the people.

Adrienne Ross is owner of Adrienne Ross Communications and a former Southeast Missourian editorial board member. Contact her at aross@semissourian.com.