If we the Black voters ‘get loud’, neither the Tories nor Donald Trump will survive | Al Sharpton

On both sides of the Atlantic, populists are peddling racism. I'm here in the UK to urge Black communities to see it for what it is

• The Rev Al Sharpton is a US civil rights leader and activist

Donald Trump's racist mentality has long been an open secret. In the 1970s, a federal lawsuit was brought against him for alleged racial discrimination on one of his housing developments in New York. He led the campaign calling for the death penalty against the Central Park Five, who were accused of a brutal rape but later vindicated. Even after that exoneration, he continued to suggest they were guilty.

So are Black Americans flocking to support Trump? Reports are mixed. Trump himself would tell you he has a unique affinity with the Black community, but personally, I don't buy it. Polling in 2020 estimated Trump would take 20% of the black vote. The real number was closer to 8%.

The Rev Al Sharpton is a civil rights leader, activist and founder and president of National Action Network (Nan). As told to Lucy Pasha-Robinson.

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