Conservatives could be leading the charge against racism.
Before we dive into this section, let’s all take a moment to acknowledge one thing: In the current political climate, things are kind of…icky.
Our nation appears to be one divided, and since this is such a touchy subject, we will rely very heavily on Kay Coles James.
Ms. James is a longtime Black conservative who served under both Bush administrations, and is currently President of the Heritage Foundation. Ms. James has a unique perspective as a Black conservative, one that she can support with both anecdotal and constitutional perspectives.
Kay Coles James has written a beautiful piece for her website, entitled “Why Conservatives Should Be Leading the Civil Rights Movement,” which we will feature excerpts of throughout this section. The Black Lives Matter movement is close to home for her, and she and her children (and grandchildren) have all experienced racism as of late.
We as a nation need to seek unity, and Ms. coles James identifies that we still have a long way to go.
But where do we start? How do we approach these conversations? Take a nod from Kay Coles James:
“I explained it to a friend recently by saying, I am a mama bear. I love my children and my grandchildren with a passion equal to any mom or grandma on the planet. But daggum it, I do have to correct them. I do have to tell them when they are doing things wrong, and it’s not in spite of the fact that I love them, it’s because I love them that I want to shape them to greatness.”
Let’s dive deeper into different arguments we consistently connect to conservatives, and identify some ways to approach the conversation differently, informed, and openly.
“Is american conservatism inherently bigoted? Many conservatives would be enraged by the question. Many liberals suspect the answer is yes. These different reactions stem, in part, from different definitions of bigotry.
Conservatives tend to define it in terms of intention: You’re guilty of bigotry if you’re trying to harm people because of their race, gender, or the like. Liberals are more likely to define it in terms of impact: You’re guilty if your actions disadvantage an already disadvantaged group, irrespective of your motives. You may genuinely believe that Georgia can’t afford to expand Medicaid.
But given that the Georgians affected by this decision are disproportionately poor people of color—and that they lack coverage in large measure because they are poor people of color—your opposition to expanding Medicaid perpetuates a history of state-sponsored bigotry. As a conservative, you may feel an impulse to conserve the past.
In a country whose history is marked by the subordination of blacks, women, and LGBT people, however, many liberals believe that conserving the past maintains that subordination.”
— The Atlantic
Topics Conservatives Often relate in Politics to Racism
While we know these talking points are not the only approach to take, we have created the explanations for each topic in a way that bases these conversations in facts, offers representation of Black Conservative voices, and aims to end the “debate” on racism.
“All Lives Matter”
When talking to conservatives, you will often hear “All Lives Matter” as a rebuttal to “Black Lives Matter.” But why?
As a demographic, we as white people are used to seeing the world through a white lens. We can see people from our race broadly represented is social media, campaign ads, movies, corporate training, and on cereal boxes. We do what is called “white centering.” Layla Saad defines “white centering” as
That felt heavy to read (because it is.)
At this moment, you may be saying to yourself, “I don’t do that, I participate in diversity training at work and have a lot of Black friends. How could it be centering it on myself if I live a diverse life?
Take it from Ijeoma Olou, who writes about her experiences conducting diversity training and organizations:
Does this hit home? It should.
So let’s get back to “All Lives Matter.” Why is it an inappropriate substitute for “Black Lives Matter?”
Matthew Wilson, an African American of Carbondale who sits on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois. Wilson said that fighting for racial equality for black people does not mean that their lives are more valued than others – it means there’s a problem in America with systemic racism that specifically affects African Americans, and it needs to be addressed.
Excerpt from: The Black Lives Matter Movement and Why the Response of All Lives Matter is Misleading - Published by Scott Loken in the Ethnic Studies Review.
"The confederacy is our heritage"
let’s identify some key facts about the confederacy:
By 1860, Southern politics was dominated by the idea of states’ rights in the context of slavery to support the South’s agricultural economy, and slave-heavy, cotton-producing agricultural states embraced secession as the solution. -History.com
The confederacy existed from 1860-1865. - Britannica.com
“The Confederacy implemented the first compulsory draft in North American history (McPherson 2003, 430), so it would seem at first that Southerners had little choice in fighting. In reality, there were many ways to avoid the draft. Wealthy citizens could pay to avoid service, and the draft “was not uniformly administered” (Ambrose 1962, 264). Later in the war, men who owned more than 20 slaves were exempt from the draft altogether.” - Cambridge
What can we break down from this?
We can see the the confederacy was active for only 5 years, and that it was founded in order to keep Black people enslaved.
Hence, can we really consider a 5 year period of hate our heritage? Check out this excerpt from Charlottesville Tomorrow:
"racism doesn't exist"
Some Conservatives may argue that racism is a thing of the past and that we don’t currently see it in America. Unfortunately, our country was founded on racism, and it has been institutionalized into governmentally funded projects like public schools, food security, healthcare, and housing access, allowing white people to remain in power.
Take this staggering statistic from racialequitytools.org into account:
Oof, smells like racism to us.
Kay Coles James knows that the topic of racism against Black people can be aggravating for some, but urges her conservative peers to remain open and committed to ending racism in America saying:
Still on the fence about whether or not racism exists?
Well, that’s racist, so take the following into account:
The current pandemic has highlighted the racism in healthcare.
Black people hold the fewest number of CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies.
Since most food deserts are in Black and POC communities, students are at a disadvantage.
In addition to all of these statistics and quotes, let’s talk about the wage gap.
Studies are done all the time to address the difference in income between races, and while white people almost always seem to come out on top, Black people are almost always at the back of the pack.
“This Expectation Gap also has a significant impact when we look at demographic groups beyond gender, with the most dramatic being black women expecting to make $0.88 for every $1.00 a white man expects.... Our charts also show that there is a racial Expectation Gap for many demographic groups as well, men included. In 2020, black men expect to earn $0.92 (down from $0.93 in 2019) for every $1.00 a white male applicant expects.”
Clearly, we see that racism exists in 2020. And just because you don’t feel it or it doesn’t affect you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Recognizing and accepting this fact is part of your allyship journey.
"looting and violence is not the answer, the protesters are taking the focus away from the real issues."
Kay Coles James knows the difference between peaceful activists and a small percentage of white and Black people are taking advantage of the situation and turning it to violence. She acknowledges that it is important to keep the two separate, noting:
From a different perspective, it should also be noted that riots hold a deep seated place in racial justice movements. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said,
“Riots are the language of the unheard.”
Now, some will say that this quote illustrates that he was supportive of rioting, but a part of the message that often gets lost is powerful:
“as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again.”
Kai M. Wright breaks it down easily, identifying that we should fix the problem at the source, otherwise people will continue to riot in order to be heard:
What can we take away from this?
As a white person, you will never have to fight for your freedom, and because of that, you shouldn’t have an opinion about it. You will never struggle to be equal or have your voice heard, so who said it was your place to police those who are fighting for change?
Let’s tackle one big problem with racism: Donald Trump
This seems like a good place to revisit the emotion wheel.
Are you feeling worked up just thinking about 45? Is your blood pressure rising? Are you going into fight or flight mode?
Take a moment to identify what it is that you’re actually feeling, and focus on the WHY you got there.
Part of the appeal of Trump’s presidential run was his approach – a longtime business man who was going to get the economy on track and improve our international relations. His platform was run on doing government differently, and sometimes the way he delivered a message might be off, but he vowed to “Make America Great Again.”
So what can we interpret that Trump meant by “Making America Great Again?” Here’s what we were able to come up with:
NPR did an interview about the meaning of MAGA to Conservatives, and found that they use it less as a fashion statement, and more as an identity. Listen to the 6 minute interview below, or read the transcription here.
“At least understand that when many of your fellow Americans see a MAGA hat, they see support for a president known to lie at a rate never seen before in American history. They see support for a man who reaches for misinformation first every time as his favored tool to get his way. They see support for a man who regularly vilifies, even terrorizes, undocumented immigrants. They see support for a man initiating policies that focus on harming minorities at an alarming rate. Consider that Trump himself is a brand and that brand is spoiled. People are petitioning to have his name removed from their buildings.” - Read the whole article on The Medium here.
“The US Army is investigating how a handout distributed on a base in Alabama initially included a description that the phrase "Make America Great Again" was a form of "covert white supremacy" and therefore racist -- which it says was "sent out in error and immediately recalled.” - Read the whole article on CNN.com here.
The article goes on to say, “The graphic shown on one of the slides includes a pyramid graphic sourced from Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence that states blackface, swastikas and racist jokes are forms of "overt white supremacy." The graphic includes "MAGA," the "celebration of Columbus Day" and "All Lives Matter" as types of socially acceptable or "covert white supremacy."
The lesson: Trump’s MAGA slogan is regarded as a racist symbol. So, as a Conservative, what does this mean to you? even if you don’t agree with it, try to understand it.
“President Trump isn’t racist, the media has taken it out of context”
Have you heard this defense of the President before? Below, we have identified some clearly racist remarks, straight from the President’s mouth.
From Donald Trump’s Twitter feed, @realdonaldtrump:
“I will Veto the Defense Authorization Bill if the Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren (of all people!) Amendment, which will lead to the renaming (plus other bad things!) of Fort Bragg, Fort Robert E. Lee, and many other Military Bases from which we won Two World Wars, is in the Bill!”
Very sad to see States allowing roving gangs of wise guys, anarchists & looters, many of them having no idea what they are doing, indiscriminately ripping down our statues and monuments to the past. Some are great works of art, but all represent our History & Heritage, both the good and the bad. It is important for us to understand and remember, even in turbulent and difficult times, and learn from them. Knowledge comes from the most unusual of places!”
Our great African American President hasn't exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!
BREAKING NEWS: The Mortality Rate for the China Virus in the U.S. is just about the LOWEST IN THE WORLD! Also, Deaths in the U.S. are way down, a tenfold decrease since the Pandemic height (and, our Economy is coming back strong!).
“....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!”
interview quotes and other examples:
Curiel, it should be noted, is an American citizen who was born in Indiana. As a prosecutor in the late 1990s, he went after Mexican drug cartels, making him a target for assassination by a Tijuana drug lord.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems… They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
In 1992, the Trump Hotel and Casino had to pay a $200,000 fine for transferring Black and female dealers off of tables at the request of guests.
“Kung Flu!” “Kung Flu!” “Kung Flu!”
Trump has claimed repeatedly that he has “done more for” Blacks than any other president, with the possible exception of Lincoln, but polls still show Blacks favor Biden by 83% to 8%, or a 75-point spread, according to an analysis of recent polls by CNN.
yeesh……
When read alone, these comments are objectively racist. Whether it is the use of the word thug, his opposition to the removal of Woodrow Wilson’s name from a building, or is being shamed by his ex-Speaker of the House, this is not new behavior for the President.
These are only a few examples of some of the things that have come straight from President Trump. When talking to someone who voted for Trump, try getting their opinion on his verbatim quotes. We suggest that you start a conversation and supplement your newly learned knowledge about the longstanding effects of racism against Black people.
Action Steps for Change
Are you trying to figure out how to help Conservatives in your life become more anti-racist? Try these tips:
Agree to read a more neutral source for 2 weeks, and share what you’ve learned. How is news reported differently? What about the reporting is different? The same?
Do some of the leg work to understand why each of you believes what you do. Did you know that, “to a surprising degree, a recent strand of experimental psychology suggests, our political beliefs may have something to do with a specific aspect of our biological makeup: our propensity to feel physical disgust.”
“At a deep, symbolic level, some researchers speculate, disgust may be bound up with ideas about ‘them’ versus ‘us,’ about whom we instinctively trust and don’t trust.”
Talk about what these quotes mean, read this article in its entirety, and acknowledge how disgust comes up in each of your lives respectively.
More Resources
Vice hosted a roundtable with Black Conservatives and Black Democrats
Opinion: Why conservatives should be leading the way to end institutional racism
Written by OJ Oleka.
5 Facts About Fox News via Pew Research
“Those who name Fox News as their main source of political news stand out in their views on key issues and people, including President Donald Trump. Fox News consumers tend to have an especially positive view of the president, which may not be a surprise given that 93% of those who name the network as their main source of political news identify as Republican or lean to the party.