RNC Milwaukee Racism Exposed: GOP’s Divisive Tactics Unveiled
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee was marked by racist and divisive rhetoric. |
| Republican speakers intentionally mispronounced Vice President Kamala Harris’ name as a racial fearmongering tactic. |
| The convention featured controversial figures with histories of using racial slurs. |
| Republican leaders promoted the “Great Replacement Theory,” a white supremacist conspiracy. |
| Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs were prevalent at the convention. |
| The RNC’s tactics were seen as deliberate attempts to create fear and division among Americans. |
RNC Racism: A Closer Look at the Milwaukee Convention
The Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, became a stage for racial insensitivity and divisive tactics. The event was marked by a series of incidents that raised concerns about the party’s stance on racial issues. From the deliberate mispronunciation of Vice President Kamala Harris’ name to the promotion of white supremacist theories, the convention left many questioning the GOP’s commitment to unity and inclusivity.
Source: FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program
Kamala Harris Mispronunciation: More Than Just a Mistake
One of the most glaring examples of racial insensitivity at the RNC was the intentional mispronunciation of Vice President Kamala Harris’ first name. This act was not a simple slip of the tongue but a calculated move to stoke racial tensions. By deliberately butchering her name, Republican speakers engaged in a form of racial fearmongering, playing on stereotypes and othering the first woman of color to hold the office of Vice President.
This tactic is not new. It’s a form of microaggression that has been used against people of color for generations. By refusing to correctly pronounce Harris’ name, these speakers were sending a clear message: she doesn’t belong.
Republican Divisive Tactics: Beyond Name-Calling
The RNC’s divisive strategies went far beyond mispronouncing names. The convention featured a series of provocative incidents that seemed designed to appeal to the worst instincts of their base.
Source: FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program
Here are some of the most troubling examples:
- A video showing a white student making monkey noises at a Black student was featured.
- Figures with histories of using racial slurs, such as Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock, were given prominent roles.
- Alina Habba, known for her controversial statements, was included in the lineup.
These choices were not accidental. They were part of a broader strategy to create an “us vs. them” narrative, painting a picture of a country under threat from diversity and change.
GOP Racial Insensitivity: The Hulk Hogan RNC Speech
The decision to include Hulk Hogan as a speaker at the RNC was particularly telling. Hogan has a history of using racial slurs, including a leaked video where he used the N-word repeatedly. Yet, the RNC chose to give him a platform, sending a clear message about their priorities and values.
Hogan’s speech, while not explicitly racist, was part of a larger pattern of dog-whistle politics. By featuring speakers with problematic histories, the RNC was signaling to certain segments of their base that their views were welcome in the party.
Great Replacement Theory: Ted Cruz and White Supremacy
Source: Pew Research Center
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the RNC was the promotion of the “Great Replacement Theory” by prominent Republican leaders, including Ted Cruz. This conspiracy theory, often cited by white supremacists, claims that there’s a plot to replace white Americans with immigrants and people of color.
Cruz and others at the convention used coded language to promote this theory, stoking fears about immigration and demographic change. This rhetoric is not just divisive; it’s dangerous. The “Great Replacement Theory” has been cited as motivation by several mass shooters targeting minority communities.
By giving this theory a platform at their national convention, the Republican Party is mainstreaming white supremacist ideology. This move goes beyond simple political strategy; it’s a threat to the safety and well-being of millions of Americans.
DEI Program Attacks: Undermining Progress
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Another key theme at the RNC was the attack on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. These initiatives, designed to promote fairness and representation in workplaces and institutions, were portrayed as threats to American values.
The criticism of DEI programs at the RNC was more than just policy disagreement. It was a thinly veiled attack on efforts to address systemic racism and inequality. By framing DEI as un-American, the RNC was effectively saying that efforts to level the playing field for marginalized groups are somehow a threat to the country.
This rhetoric serves a dual purpose:
- It appeals to those who feel threatened by increasing diversity.
- It undermines efforts to create more equitable systems and institutions.
RNC Milwaukee Racism: A Pattern of Behavior
The events at the Milwaukee RNC were not isolated incidents. They fit into a larger pattern of behavior from the Republican Party in recent years. From the “birther” conspiracy theories about Barack Obama to Donald Trump’s comments about “shithole countries,” the GOP has increasingly relied on racial fearmongering as a political strategy.
The Milwaukee convention simply brought these tactics into sharper focus. By concentrating so many racially charged incidents and speeches into a single event, the RNC made it impossible to ignore the role that racism plays in their political messaging.
Republican Fearmongering: The Real Threat to Unity
In the end, the RNC’s rhetoric and tactics pose a real threat to American unity and progress. By deliberately stoking racial tensions and promoting divisive ideologies, the Republican Party is creating a more polarized and dangerous political environment.
This fearmongering serves to distract from real issues facing Americans of all backgrounds. Instead of addressing economic inequality, healthcare access, or climate change, the RNC chose to focus on creating fear and division.
The real danger of this approach is not just in the immediate political consequences. It’s in the long-term damage it does to our social fabric. By normalizing racist rhetoric and conspiracy theories, the RNC is making it harder for Americans to come together and address the challenges we face as a nation.
Conclusion: The Path Forward After RNC Racism
The events at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee serve as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to combat racism and division in American politics. While the RNC’s tactics may appeal to certain segments of their base, they ultimately weaken our democracy and threaten the principles of equality and justice that should be at the core of our national identity.
Moving forward, it’s crucial for voters, journalists, and political leaders to call out these tactics for what they are. We must demand better from our political parties and hold them accountable for the consequences of their rhetoric.
Only by rejecting the politics of division and embracing a vision of America that includes and values all its citizens can we hope to build a stronger, more united country. The path forward requires courage, empathy, and a commitment to truth – qualities that were sorely lacking at the 2023 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
FAQ
Q: Was the mispronunciation of Kamala Harris’ name really intentional?
A: Yes, the repeated mispronunciation of Vice President Harris’ name at the RNC was widely seen as intentional. It’s a known tactic used to “other” people of color and question their belonging.
Q: What is the “Great Replacement Theory”?
A: The “Great Replacement Theory” is a white supremacist conspiracy theory that claims there’s a plot to replace white populations with immigrants and people of color. It’s often used to stoke fear about demographic changes.
Q: Why is featuring speakers with histories of using racial slurs problematic?
A: Giving platforms to individuals with histories of racial insensitivity sends a message that such behavior is acceptable. It also signals to minority communities that their concerns are not being taken seriously.
Q: How do attacks on DEI programs relate to racism?
A: Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs often serve as coded language for opposing efforts to address systemic racism and promote equality. These attacks can undermine progress toward a more equitable society.
Q: Is criticizing the RNC’s tactics the same as calling all Republicans racist?
A: No, criticizing the tactics used at the RNC is not the same as labeling all Republicans as racist. It’s important to call out problematic behavior and rhetoric regardless of political affiliation.
About the author
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been pursuing his love of teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
