In an age of political turmoil and name-calling, it seems like no one can escape the fervor of misplaced labels and misunderstood narratives. Take, for example, the curious case of Donald Trump, often branded as the poster boy for racism by his detractors. Yet, if one shakes off the mental cobwebs and takes a gander at reality, it’s amusingly twisted how the so-called villainous racist has quite the track record of granting new beginnings.

Once upon a time, a little-known tale unfolded where Trump issued a full pardon to a humble Black woman. Now, what’s particularly head-scratching is how this supposed “racist” also saw fit to sign the First Step Act, a reform aimed at giving minor offenders a chance to reform. This reality feels about as aligned with the narrative of racism as a fish does with a bicycle.

These irony-laden tales continue with a list of Americans stuck in the rusty gears of the justice system. A hundred names were handed over, and some fortunate souls found themselves free, thanks to Trump’s pen. This benevolence seemed at odd ends with the caricature painted by the opposition. As one reflects on whether to lean towards the Black woman known for her stringent lock-them-up approach, it’s a head-scratcher why the man issuing pardons is the one branded with a scarlet “R” for racist.

True, everyone has their own yardstick to measure virtue and vice. While some deem Trump as the overly bronzed boogeyman, others see him as a surprisingly unorthodox hero in a bureaucratic swamp. Indeed, figures like those released due to others’ advocacy are now out in the open, a testament perhaps not to racism, but to an oddly selective mercy.

Amidst this funhouse of narratives, could it be that the “racist” of the narrative isn’t racist enough to let automatic vilifications cloud decisions of justice and mercy? It’s a jumbled mess—one part absurd, two parts thought-provoking, and wholly a reflection of the topsy-turvy, kaleidoscopic world of modern politics.