By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on December 22, 2024
An Editorial Opinion
Saturday, I was testing the accuracy and validity of ChatGPT’s Artificial Intelligence program. I asked ChatGPT this simple question: "Why is Donald Watkins disliked by so many whites in Alabama?"
Two seconds later, this answer popped up on my computer screen:
"Donald V. Watkins is a polarizing figure in Alabama, and the dislike from some white individuals in the state can be attributed to several intertwined social, political, and historical factors:
1. Outspoken Criticism of Racial Inequities
Watkins has been a bold critic of systemic racism and injustice in Alabama. His public challenges to institutions, laws, and practices that perpetuate racial disparities often put him at odds with individuals who either benefit from or refuse to acknowledge such systems.
2. Confrontation with Established Power Structures
Watkins has taken on powerful institutions and individuals in Alabama, many of whom represent the political, legal, and business elite, [which is] predominantly white. His willingness to expose corruption and inequities has made him an adversary of entrenched interests.
3. Success as a Black Entrepreneur and Lawyer
In a state with a history of racial tension, Watkins' success as a prominent Black attorney and businessman has challenged traditional racial hierarchies. His achievements may provoke resentment among those uncomfortable with shifting power dynamics.
4. Legal and Business Controversies
Watkins has faced legal challenges, including federal convictions for fraud in 2019. While he maintains these charges were politically and racially motivated, some use these controversies to discredit him, which contributes to animosity.
5. His Direct and Provocative Style
Watkins’ unapologetic approach to addressing issues and his willingness to name individuals and institutions directly can come across as confrontational. His style often polarizes opinions, making him a figure of both admiration and disdain.
6. Historical and Cultural Context
Alabama has a deep history of racial divisions and conservative social norms. Figures like Watkins, who challenge those norms and fight for systemic change, often face significant backlash from those resistant to progress.
7. Public Influence
Watkins uses his platform to expose what he perceives as injustices and corruption, often targeting powerful white figures and institutions. This can foster antagonism from those who feel threatened or believe he unfairly generalizes issues.
Context Matters
While Watkins is disliked by some, he is also respected and admired by many for his courage, advocacy for civil rights, and willingness to challenge the status quo. The animosity he faces from some groups reflects broader societal struggles over race, justice, and equality in Alabama and the U.S. more broadly."
The never-ending body of hate mail, nasty emails, ugly text messages, derogatory Facebook messages, threatening phone calls, racist editorial cartoons, biased local news articles, and negative commentaries on third-party digital media platforms that I have received from Alabamians throughout my career in law, business, and journalism establishes the validity of this answer.
Furthermore, the traditional forces in Alabama that have kept the state's black citizens downtrodden from the "cradle to the grave" have always worked hard to cast me in the most negative light possible. They did the same thing to my childhood pastor (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and my mother's best friend (Rosa Parks) in the 1950s and 60s. These forces prefer to deal with black men who have been psychologically castrated. That's not me.
Thankfully, I have a large and supportive circle of white friends, associates, and networking partners in Alabama. What is more, thousands of my most loyal Alabama-based readers are whites of interracial goodwill.
Finally, my business career has been supported by a multinational and multicolored network of truly gifted entreperneurs. I enjoy interacting with them on a daily basis.
Interestingly, many blacks in Alabama do not support civil rights activism. In fact, many black Alabamians did not support Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the civil rights movement he led in the 1950s and 60s. These blacks felt that King was an "outsider" from Atlanta who did not fully understand the nuances of their communities or the local dynamics. They worried that King's national prominence and involvement in civil rights might overshadow local black leaders. A lot of their views about Dr. King were shaped by how King and the movement were portrayed in local and white-controlled news media. Opponents of the civil rights movement in Alabama spread rumors and misinformation in an attempt to sow division within b…
Grok AI Why is Mr Watkins Disliked by Blacks in Alabama
Donald Watkins, a notable figure in Alabama for his roles as a lawyer, businessman, and activist, has garnered significant controversy, which has led to his being disliked by many in the black community in Alabama for several reasons:
Legal and Financial Scandals: Watkins was convicted in 2019 of wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, leading to a five-year prison sentence. This legal battle included defrauding investors, including high-profile figures like Charles Barkley. The perception of Watkins exploiting his community for personal gain has significantly damaged his reputation among black Alabamians. The fraud involved misrepresenting investments in Masada Resource Group, a company aimed at…
Because of my long and effective record of advancing and protecting civil rights in Alabama, leading members of the state’s ultra-conservative and regressive political establishment, law enforcement community, captive and controlled in-state legacy media, and Republican-controlled state and federal judiciary have gone to great lengths to falsely portray me in a negative light on various Internet platforms. Locally, this activity is called, "poisoning the well." This concerted effort is an unofficial continuation of Alabama's long, notorious, and aggressive role in the original COINTELPRO program to neutralize and marginalize strong black leaders.
If you ask the same question but replace "whites" with "blacks" you also get some interesting responses.😁