Dear Mr. Trump:

You say you want African-American votes. At a rally in Michigan in August, you said you wanted the vote of every African-American citizen who wanted a better future.

“You’re living in your poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed,” you said. “What the hell do you have to lose?”

Even though I am a registered Democrat, I would like to see you engage in a real effort that resonates with African-Americans. This would show that you could be a President for all Americans. But, if you want to win over African-American voters, you have to offer more answers while prompting fewer unanswered questions.

Okay, so you hired “The Apprentice” alum, Omarosa Manigault as your campaign’s Director of African-American outreach. But you still give the impression you are not making serious efforts to reach out to the community. If you are sincere, why have you refused to speak before The National Association of Black Journalists. The group says you rejected an invitation it made in May to speak at their national convention in Washington, D.C. You turned down the NAACP’s invitation to speak at their national convention in July. Also, the National Urban League says you have rebuffed three offers —including an invite to speak at their national convention in August.

If you want to win African-American votes, why have your remarks raised questions about whether you are racist and xenophobic? You proposed banning Muslims from entering the country. You suggested that U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel could not do his job because of his Mexican heritage. You have spoken of forming squads that would target 11 million so-called illegal immigrants, largely of Mexican descent, for deportation. Your companies have even been accused of discriminating against African-Americans who tried to rent apartments in your buildings.

If you want to snag African-American votes, why haven’t you offered substantial solutions to issues concerning the African-American community? We know you want to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. (The idea seems impractical and won’t help African-Americans who largely support the nation’s diversity.) You want to do away with the federal estate or so-called “death tax.” That tax only benefits those who inherit estate worth about five and a half million dollars or more. Most African-American, and Americans in general, would not benefit from that policy.

If you think African-Americans are interested in jobs, you’re right. The problem: You speak with a forked tongue. You say you are going to bring jobs back to the United States. But, how can a person who profited from apparel made overseas in Mexico, China and Bangladesh support bringing jobs back to our homeland? And what jobs will you bring back? Low-paying jobs in the manufacturing sector? Or will you create 21^st century jobs that pay a living wage?

If you want to know how your so-called outreach efforts aimed at the African-American community are faring look at polls. A recent NBC News Survey Monkey Weekly Election Tracking polls said this:  87 percent of black voters support Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton while only 8 percent support you.

If you want to succeed at your alleged mission, start providing specifics on how you will improve job prospects for African-Americans. Stop making statements that appear racist, insensitive and inflammatory. Get out and talk to groups of African-American voters. You could start by heading to a historically African-American church. If you follow these suggestions, you may have a chance at grabbing some African-American votes.

Then, we may believe that you want the votes of African-Americans – and all Americans who want a better future.

Regards,

Mikey B.