Trump, In Verse

Nikki Haley (again)
When you grow up in South Carolina, in the second grade – maybe the third –
you are certain to learn about slavery; constantly in your face, never inferred.
So now, when I’m asked about slavery… I mean, what do you want me to say?
I had friends who were Black, also some who were White. (I won’t guess at if any were Gay.)

I hope nobody thinks that I’m racist. Once again: I had friends who were Black.
So when asked what the cause of the Civil War was, I was startled and taken aback.
I said something about “rights” and “freedoms,” and what people could do – and they couldn’t.
And as the sun rose on the very next day, it was clear I’d said something I shouldn’t.

As tortuous as my response was, there’s one thing of which I am damn sure:
I should have replied unambiguously at that campaign town hall in New Hampshire.
Each new day since, I’ve tried to address it – with retraction, redress, or denial.
Yet as much as I try at re-righting the ship, there’s no question I’ve stepped in a pile.

The Civil War’s part of our history, and as such means we take a look backwards.
My job’s not to judge if it’s hate or tradition (those may not have been my exact words).
I thought that perhaps we’ve moved forward, and that slavery’s taught us a lesson –
the impact of which clearly I’ve failed to grasp: history can’t be re-written… I’m guessin’?

I’m a person of color my own self, so you think I’d show concord and mercy,
but instead I’m reduced to defending myself to Chris Christie (who hails from New Jersey),
and then manage to sow more division: we don’t all get the same education.
But there’s one undeniable fact we’ve all learned: I’m unfit to be leading this nation.