Lawmaker: Trump makes ‘America hate again’

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter makes a point to reporters on Oct. 30. (Panther photo)

Orangeburg state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter proclaimed, “If Democrats don't gain control of the House and the Senate, God help us.” 

Cobb-Hunter was interviewed on Oct. 30 by Claflin reporters. She is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University and the longest-serving member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, having been elected in 1992. 

Cobb-Hunter made her view clear: America is in much need of a change.  

“We think we're this shining country on the hill where everybody loves everybody and is treated great. Racism doesn't exist, sexism doesn't exist, all of that. And the reality is that, yes, it does, and quite frankly, it's getting worse, the veteran Democrat said. 

Cobb-Hunter said President Donald Trump is a key part of the problem.

“Donald Trump didn't invent racism. He didn't make racism or America racist. But what he did was make it acceptable. And my point is this, Donald Trump has made America hate again.” 

She continued, “The Oval office is an embarrassment. He is doing to the White House what he is doing to this country. This man has destroyed and is continuing to destroy the country.” 

Cobb-Hunter said numerous elected officials have the power to make change but do not use it. She goes as far as to compare the chaos of leadership to Hitler's reign, stating, “It is the exact same thing.” 

As a longtime Democratic leader, including service on the Democratic National Committee, Cobb-Hunter has her calls to action. 

“I think Democrats are way too nice,” Cobb- Hunter said. “We don't have that thug mentality like Republicans do. We're not so consumed with power or we don't appear to be so consumed with power that we are willing to make a deal with the devil to keep it. That is in my view the difference.” 

Cobb-Hunter said the Democratic Party must change its tune. 

“We have taken people for granted. We have not kept up with the way things are,” Cobb-Hunter said. “We keep doing things that no longer resonate with voters. We have got to do some internal house cleaning and get back to what the party stands for.” 

Cobb-Hunter is a social worker who has done decades of work in the community by amplifying underrepresented voices, a deep passion of hers. 

“I’m there to make a difference for the little people,” Cobb-Hunter said. “There are a lot of people who don't know who they are and whose they are. I know who I am, and I know whose I am, and I am not afraid to speak my mind, to speak truth to power.” 

Cobb-Hunter also cited social issues in America, one of them being economic disparities. 

“Why is it OK for ICE to be offering a $50,000 signing bonus, release, forgiven debt, all of that, but we can't pay teachers?” 

Amid the government shutdown, she said, “It's interesting to me that we've got air traffic controllers, who hold people's lives in their hands, who are not getting paid. But those people who serve in Congress, the members of the House and the members of the Senate, are still getting paid.” 

Cobb-Hunter ended with advice to students. 

“Living is learning. You ought to be committed to lifelong learning,” she said. “Confront life with gusto, enthusiasm and understand that even with its faults, America is the greatest country in the world. And I'm counting on those of you on this screen and others like you around the country, around the world, to make it right, to clean up our mess.”