It’s maddening when somebody like Byron Donalds, the African-American Congressman from Florida, makes comments like he did at a Republican fundraiser the other night, saying “During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative — because Black people have always been conservative-minded — but more Black people voted conservatively.”
That's exactly right. The South was a Democratic stronghold, giving rise to the Dixiecrats of Strom Thurmond, who later became - along with the rest of the segregationists in his party - say it with me... a Republican.
You know, we can go back and forth all day about party affiliations, race, who did what and on and on. As for my part, I threw a rock back at you with my comment and in light of what I'm going to say, it is hypocritical.
My problem with all of this is that issues of race are never going to be 100% solved. It's in our nature as human beings to one degree or another to favor, or disfavor other people. That being said, if people continue to find cracks and crevices to plant a hand or a foot and hold on to these things, rather than finding commonality as AMERICANS, which is what we all are, none of this is ever going to get better. In fact, it is at this very minute, getting worse.
This country is about opportunity. Everyone expects this to be a utopia without problems, without struggle, without any kind of injustice ever, at all and that's not what this is. This country arguably has the most level playing field of all playing fields ever. It's not perfect, but the fact that this country is built from immigrants from all different backgrounds and that today, in 2024, we all have the same opportunities is pretty amazing. People here have the OPPORTUNITY to do pretty much whatever they want to do, unless you're Bernie Sanders and you want to be the president.
I'm guilty of just as much of being a human being as anyone else, guilty of petty bickering, partisan hackery (I'm not affiliated with either side by the way) but I don't have to assuage that guilt, I just try to keep it in my mind to try to improve myself even if I fail more than I succeed at it.
My point to all of this is that If we don't find a way to acknowledge people and their ideas, and find constructive ways to disagree with things that results in a better understanding and a more united community, rather than endlessly blaming other people and other entities for your problems, then it's a wrap. The greatest nation in the history of the world is imploding right before our eyes and isn't going to last too much longer. There is an enemy to fight for sure, but they don't recognize party affiliations, borders, ideologies or any of that.
We can keep going on about which side did what, and who's to blame, and you know, people gonna people, but I think it's all barking up the wrong tree.
I share you frustration with the partisan divide, although I don't think the blame for our current situation goes 50/50. The GOP recognized that they cannot win national elections if they remain the part for white Christian Americans. They understand demographic trends as well as anybody and figured out that they have either the choice to become more insular or less. They chose more, and the result is what we see: a deliberate dismantling of the safety rails that keep American democracy functioning.
Race obviously plays a major role in this strategy - their policies reflect a hardening against racial/ethnic tolerance that does not comport to their image of America. That's how we get speeches of "American carnage," and the demonization of immigrants/Great Replacement Theory. It's a cynical and effective strategy, pitting Americans against each other and against our neighbors for the purpose of frightening their base into voting reliably red. The messaging is effective but divisive.
There's also the appeal to the most intolerant among us, especially the evangelicals. The "culture war" has been a tried and true Republican battle tactic for fifty years, resisting cultural progress in the name of religion. Every single civil rights movement in the nation's history has been opposed by conservatives of every political party for "biblical reasons."
The only way out of the morass we find ourselves in, IMO, is to embrace/celebrate our diversity and welcome many more people into the country. We need the workers and we need the economic boost immigration provides.
I applaud your efforts at continual self-improvement and I also recognize that all of us fail more than we succeed in that endless quest. Thanks for your thoughtful comments and good luck.
Well, you may be partially correct as it relates to marketing, however it's just that - marketing. I'm no fan of either party but probably identify more with the values of the Republican party than the Democrats. Instead of what the team slogan is, though, I'm more concerned with the country as a whole and what's actually right and wrong.
As far as racial or ethnic "tolerance" goes, I think you're confusing that with "legal" vs "illegal." Name me one right that is enjoyed by "white Christian Americans" that is not enjoyed equally by any other race or ethnicity in the U.S. You're confusing "racism" with the intolerance of a biblical scale flood of illegal aliens streaming across the border unchecked.
Also, if we want to stay partisan, while I'm no historian (just some dummy with internet access) let's not forget that Richard Nixon is credited for advancing the cause of civil rights throughout the 60's and 70's.
I also fundamentally disagree with your statement of "The only way out of the morass we find ourselves in, IMO, is to embrace/celebrate our diversity" Diversity is bullshit and a lie that's been sold to us again, through marketing. The root word of "diversity" is divide. Diversity is actually the opposite of strength. It's arguably the biggest weakness. That's just a thing someone said that sounds nice, but is in the most sinister way, misleading. There is no substance behind it. Diversity means "I'm going to come to this country, and bring with me all the things that made that other place so shitty and I expect you to treat me preferentially because I'm special." In essence, "please come here and further divide our nation."
What we actually need is unity. Assimilation and community, everyone sharing, but pulling in the same direction, together as Americans, not black Americans, not white Americans, not brown Americans - just plain, old Americans. We need to unite under the same flag, bro. Somehow, some way, we need to stop this other bullshit.
I see nothing inaccurate or wrong with Byron Donalds comment.
A few facts.
Black women were more often married than white women prior to World War II, yet since the 1980s, have been increasingly less likely to be married. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012).
Black women were more likely to have been married by age 35 than their white counterparts until 1970 (Elliott et al., 2012)
From 1880 through 1960, black children were two to three times more likely to reside without one or both parents than were white children. (Ruggles, 1994)
I could go on.
Hakeem Jeffries, would prefer to lie and construct fake narratives about Byron Donalds than speak about the true threat of crime threat in the black community. Donald stated a truth, more families were intact in our community during Jim Crow - which I remind you was standard democrat policy. He did not say blacks were “better” under Jim Crow. Would it be any different if he said more black families were intact from 1877 until the mid-1960s (the period of Jim Crow)?
It’s more of the dog whistles maga uses. They don’t even care anymore how thinly veiled their dog whistles are to their fellow maggats.
Standing back, and standing by, Mr. President.
This dude is just another grifter trying to hold on to the hem of Cheetos jacket. Jim Crowe indeed. Dude, that’s an insult to the intelligence of all Americans, not just people of color v
This morning I read and watched coverage of the D-Day ceremonies at Normandy. How could anyone not be moved to tears by all that was suffered and sacrificed? While MAGA chooses to use "Antifa" as a slur, for the brave men and women honored at Normandy Anti-Fascism was a duty and an honor. I hope it inspires people to vote for Biden, and not for Felon Trump who has contempt for the "suckers and losers" who fought for our democracy.
As for Byron Donalds, he must be unaware of his history as an American, and specifically as a Black American. Yes, the outrage of MAGA is maddening.
Never forget that MAGA Democrats put Jim Crow laws in place.
Oh wait.
Never mind.
It was just Democrats.
That's exactly right. The South was a Democratic stronghold, giving rise to the Dixiecrats of Strom Thurmond, who later became - along with the rest of the segregationists in his party - say it with me... a Republican.
You know, we can go back and forth all day about party affiliations, race, who did what and on and on. As for my part, I threw a rock back at you with my comment and in light of what I'm going to say, it is hypocritical.
My problem with all of this is that issues of race are never going to be 100% solved. It's in our nature as human beings to one degree or another to favor, or disfavor other people. That being said, if people continue to find cracks and crevices to plant a hand or a foot and hold on to these things, rather than finding commonality as AMERICANS, which is what we all are, none of this is ever going to get better. In fact, it is at this very minute, getting worse.
This country is about opportunity. Everyone expects this to be a utopia without problems, without struggle, without any kind of injustice ever, at all and that's not what this is. This country arguably has the most level playing field of all playing fields ever. It's not perfect, but the fact that this country is built from immigrants from all different backgrounds and that today, in 2024, we all have the same opportunities is pretty amazing. People here have the OPPORTUNITY to do pretty much whatever they want to do, unless you're Bernie Sanders and you want to be the president.
I'm guilty of just as much of being a human being as anyone else, guilty of petty bickering, partisan hackery (I'm not affiliated with either side by the way) but I don't have to assuage that guilt, I just try to keep it in my mind to try to improve myself even if I fail more than I succeed at it.
My point to all of this is that If we don't find a way to acknowledge people and their ideas, and find constructive ways to disagree with things that results in a better understanding and a more united community, rather than endlessly blaming other people and other entities for your problems, then it's a wrap. The greatest nation in the history of the world is imploding right before our eyes and isn't going to last too much longer. There is an enemy to fight for sure, but they don't recognize party affiliations, borders, ideologies or any of that.
We can keep going on about which side did what, and who's to blame, and you know, people gonna people, but I think it's all barking up the wrong tree.
I share you frustration with the partisan divide, although I don't think the blame for our current situation goes 50/50. The GOP recognized that they cannot win national elections if they remain the part for white Christian Americans. They understand demographic trends as well as anybody and figured out that they have either the choice to become more insular or less. They chose more, and the result is what we see: a deliberate dismantling of the safety rails that keep American democracy functioning.
Race obviously plays a major role in this strategy - their policies reflect a hardening against racial/ethnic tolerance that does not comport to their image of America. That's how we get speeches of "American carnage," and the demonization of immigrants/Great Replacement Theory. It's a cynical and effective strategy, pitting Americans against each other and against our neighbors for the purpose of frightening their base into voting reliably red. The messaging is effective but divisive.
There's also the appeal to the most intolerant among us, especially the evangelicals. The "culture war" has been a tried and true Republican battle tactic for fifty years, resisting cultural progress in the name of religion. Every single civil rights movement in the nation's history has been opposed by conservatives of every political party for "biblical reasons."
The only way out of the morass we find ourselves in, IMO, is to embrace/celebrate our diversity and welcome many more people into the country. We need the workers and we need the economic boost immigration provides.
I applaud your efforts at continual self-improvement and I also recognize that all of us fail more than we succeed in that endless quest. Thanks for your thoughtful comments and good luck.
Well, you may be partially correct as it relates to marketing, however it's just that - marketing. I'm no fan of either party but probably identify more with the values of the Republican party than the Democrats. Instead of what the team slogan is, though, I'm more concerned with the country as a whole and what's actually right and wrong.
As far as racial or ethnic "tolerance" goes, I think you're confusing that with "legal" vs "illegal." Name me one right that is enjoyed by "white Christian Americans" that is not enjoyed equally by any other race or ethnicity in the U.S. You're confusing "racism" with the intolerance of a biblical scale flood of illegal aliens streaming across the border unchecked.
Also, if we want to stay partisan, while I'm no historian (just some dummy with internet access) let's not forget that Richard Nixon is credited for advancing the cause of civil rights throughout the 60's and 70's.
I also fundamentally disagree with your statement of "The only way out of the morass we find ourselves in, IMO, is to embrace/celebrate our diversity" Diversity is bullshit and a lie that's been sold to us again, through marketing. The root word of "diversity" is divide. Diversity is actually the opposite of strength. It's arguably the biggest weakness. That's just a thing someone said that sounds nice, but is in the most sinister way, misleading. There is no substance behind it. Diversity means "I'm going to come to this country, and bring with me all the things that made that other place so shitty and I expect you to treat me preferentially because I'm special." In essence, "please come here and further divide our nation."
What we actually need is unity. Assimilation and community, everyone sharing, but pulling in the same direction, together as Americans, not black Americans, not white Americans, not brown Americans - just plain, old Americans. We need to unite under the same flag, bro. Somehow, some way, we need to stop this other bullshit.
I see nothing inaccurate or wrong with Byron Donalds comment.
A few facts.
Black women were more often married than white women prior to World War II, yet since the 1980s, have been increasingly less likely to be married. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012).
Black women were more likely to have been married by age 35 than their white counterparts until 1970 (Elliott et al., 2012)
From 1880 through 1960, black children were two to three times more likely to reside without one or both parents than were white children. (Ruggles, 1994)
I could go on.
Hakeem Jeffries, would prefer to lie and construct fake narratives about Byron Donalds than speak about the true threat of crime threat in the black community. Donald stated a truth, more families were intact in our community during Jim Crow - which I remind you was standard democrat policy. He did not say blacks were “better” under Jim Crow. Would it be any different if he said more black families were intact from 1877 until the mid-1960s (the period of Jim Crow)?
Another excellent commentary.
It’s more of the dog whistles maga uses. They don’t even care anymore how thinly veiled their dog whistles are to their fellow maggats.
Standing back, and standing by, Mr. President.
This dude is just another grifter trying to hold on to the hem of Cheetos jacket. Jim Crowe indeed. Dude, that’s an insult to the intelligence of all Americans, not just people of color v
Insightful as always, Michael. Byron Donalds' comments are indeed infuriating. Keep shining a light on these manipulations.
This morning I read and watched coverage of the D-Day ceremonies at Normandy. How could anyone not be moved to tears by all that was suffered and sacrificed? While MAGA chooses to use "Antifa" as a slur, for the brave men and women honored at Normandy Anti-Fascism was a duty and an honor. I hope it inspires people to vote for Biden, and not for Felon Trump who has contempt for the "suckers and losers" who fought for our democracy.
As for Byron Donalds, he must be unaware of his history as an American, and specifically as a Black American. Yes, the outrage of MAGA is maddening.