CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At least we know where President Donald Trump stands. No apology or clarification is needed from Trump or his surrogates. There's no mistaking his vicious slur of Africa. There's no excusing or explaining his commentary as tough, non-politically correct language.

President Donald Trump has a problem with Africa or "shithole" nations, as he put it in a private discussion about immigration last Thursday. Does this make the commander-in-chief a racist, as some now allege? That's for each individual to decide.

I've never used the term casually. I've taught myself to give people the benefit of the doubt as racial ignorance, stereotypes and distrust have long been a part of America's DNA. Most of us struggle with some form of prejudice.

Family also taught me that you judge a tree by the fruit it bears. The fruits of Trump's mouth strike me as the product of a racist and bigoted person. His many utterances -- public and private -- make it clear that he has a problem with people of color.

With this administration we have reached a slippery intersection of conflicting national values. Sadly, many in positions of leadership within the president's party are afraid to speak up. History reveals that silence can prove deadly.

America's standing as the moral and aspirational leader of free nations is being called into question. More than ever, we need leaders who are capable of defining and articulating our national character going forward.

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson was mocked after a 2016 interview in which he failed to recognize Aleppo as a major city destroyed by the war in Syria. It was an embarrassing but non-offensive gaffe. The majority of Americans are also geographically illiterate, according to a recent study by the Council on Foreign Relations and National Geographic.

Now, with a proven xenophobe in the White House, the confluence of American global illiteracy and presidential bigotry should set off crisis alarms about the health and prosperity of future generations. Are we preparing to leave our children a nation better off than how we found it?

In the same meeting in which Trump crudely referenced Africa, he also reportedly disparaged Haitians: "Why do we need more Haitians. Take them out," he reportedly said in the meeting, an accusation he later denied on Twitter.

Some politicians immediately called for an apology. U.S. Rep. Mia Love, a Haitian-American and the first black Republican woman elected to Congress, issued a passionate statement on Twitter:

"The President's comments are unkind, divisive, elitist and fly in the face of our nation's values. The president must apologize to both the American people and the nations he so wantonly maligned."

Love shouldn't hold her breath waiting for Trump to apologize. Not if his past is any predictor of behavior. Any forthcoming apology wouldn't pass the sincerity test anyway. What has been said is said -- what has been tweeted is tweeted.

Still, one can only wonder why more leaders, especially Republicans, cower by refusing to stand and loudly condemn the president's vile and reckless utterances. Silence can only be interpreted as complicity or fear. Neither reaction passes the test of responsible leadership in these turbulent times.

Now is the time for American leaders to be vigilant in the pursuit of true public service. Tough questions must be asked and answered. Namely, what do we stand for as a nation? What is our collective character as Americans?

Do we want to remain the leader of the free world or do we wish to silently endure the vile xenophobia emanating from the White House? Where are the giant shoulders among us on which future generations will stand?

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy," said Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Now is the time for courageous voices.