There is a thin line between what constitutes Freedom of speech, and when speech incites actions that would bring harm to a certain group.  As Donald Trump continues to create a hysterical environment with incendiary statements about religious and racial groups, the question is when is he breaking the law?

White privilege is an invisible phenomenon where you are allowed to speak from a position of power, even though you are discriminatory and divisive. Facts and laws appear to be unimportant, when certain Republican candidates for president take a position. In the last week Mr. Trump has used hateful and extreme rhetoric to alienate the Muslim community.   

“Donald Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on,” a campaign press release said. Trump’s campaign added in the release that such a ban should remain in effect for a short time, and the ban would apply not just too Muslim foreigners looking to immigrate to the U.S., but also to Muslims looking to visit the U.S. as tourist. 

At this time in the world’s population, there are over 2 billion Muslims, and it is foolish to think America is going to refuse their entrance into the country. In the United States, it is very difficult to determine the exact number of Muslims living here, but a good estimate is between 4 to 5 million. By using hateful rhetoric and spreading fear, Trump has some Americans thinking that banning Muslims from coming here is a good idea.

Trump is not just stopping with banning Muslims from coming to America, but he is also talking about developing a database for all Muslims living in the United States. Obama’s deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes reacted to Trump’s position on Muslims as “totally contrary to our values as Americans” and pointed to the Bill of Rights’ protection of freedom of religion, and the extraordinary contributions Muslim Americans have made to the country.

But Trump’s destructive rhetoric is energizing hate groups, and this atmosphere will lead to more violence against American Muslims, Blacks and Hispanics even if he does not win. In his announcement speech, Trump said undocumented Mexican immigrants were bringing drugs and crime to America. There was no basis of facts in this speech, but it mobilized the Republican base, and it made all Mexicans appear to be criminals, rapist, and thugs.

At this time, Trump is focusing on the Muslims, but his destructive rhetoric can be used to attack the Black community. There are many Black organizations that are protesting the treatment of young black men and women by the police. Trump believes that organizations such as Black Lives Matter, are un-American and they must be stopped or controlled.

It would come as no surprise, if Donald Trump decides that groups like Black Lives Matter should be categorized as “ a hate group.’’ Once certain black political groups are identified as “hate groups” there is a need for more surveillance and many black leaders can be put into jail for protesting our rights as Americans.

As the presidential race heats up in 2016, it appears that Trump has the capacity to win the nomination for the Republicans. No one expected Barack Obama to become the 44th president, and Donald Trump has the potential to be the 45th president.

America is at war and if the Republicans win the office of the president, the Patriot Act could be strictly enforced. Any individuals or organizations that challenged or protested the three branches of government could be imprisoned for any length of time. Americans may think it could never happen in our country, but many residents support Donald Trump, and they like his solutions to our problems.

Roger Caldwell, a community activist, author, journalist, radio host and CEO of On Point Media Group, jet38@bellsouth.net.