“That Conversation about Race” category archive
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
The editorial board of the Las Vegas Sun considers reasons why the Republican Party strives to gut out the vote and argues that the root of them lies in its decision to become the party of only some of the people. Indeed, they argue that the party is no longer in any classical way “conservative”; it’s not interested in conserving anything.
They list several factors leading to their conclusion.
- Going back decades, the GOP’s overall campaign strategies have pitted Americans against each other by dividing the population into “us” versus “them” — us being white voters, them being voters of color.
- Today, the Republican Party must suppress votes because it’s a minority — and is one by choice.
- The GOP understands that “us” is a minority group led by an even smaller minority — certain big-money interests . . . .
- The GOP’s absolute refusal to try to create a bigger tent by listening to the needs of a larger population — and therefore court them — means one thing: It doesn’t want to represent anyone other than its narrow leadership.
- The corollary of this is that the modern GOP wants to silence everyone else.
Their reasoning echoes a point that I have made many times in these electrons: Richard Nixon’s odious “southern strategy” has come full circle. The Republican Party is now the party of the Secesh.
Follow the link for a detailed discussion of each of those factors and for the Sun’s larger conclusions.
Republican Family Values (Updated) 0
At the Idaho State-Journal, Michael Corrigan draws on his own experiences to discuss the Trump administration’s practice of family separation kidnapping. A snippet:
One thing that never changed, however, was the fear every child demonstrated when they were dropped off. “I want my mommy” was a repeated mantra. Even after a month of daily routines, the children expressed a fear of abandonment until they were reassured.
Please do read the rest.
Addendum:
Will Bunch has a suggestion.
Reactionaries’ Mind Games 0
Psychologist Roy Eidelson explores of “status quo bias” (which is, as far as I can tell, a fancy phrasing of “fear of change”) deters persons and society from making change, even when the evidence for the need of change is blindingly overwhelming. Here’s a bit from the introduction to his piece:
Follow the link for his five examples.
Merchants of Hate 0
Psychologist Darcia Narvaez looks at the inimical effects of right-wing talk radio in mainstreaming hate, bigotry, and political paranoia.
I can’t excerpt or summarize her article in any way and do it justice. Follow the link to read it for yourself.
Republican Family Values 0
Sam briefly discusses the “family separation”–he suggests kidnapping would be a better term–policy at the southern border.
The Case of the Base 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Vinita Mehta points out that the conventional wisdom as to the roots of Donald Trump’s support are not born out by facts (emphasis added).
So, why did Trump amass a larger following than expected?
She goes on to cite an article by Professor Thomas Pettigrew and to explore the five factors that he identifies as characterizing Trump’s core supporters, which include
1. Social Dominance Orientation
2. Authoritarianism
3. Relative (i. e., perceived–ed.) deprivation
4. Prejudice
5. Intergroup contact (or lack thereof–ed.)
I commend the entire piece to your attention.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
And now for a moment of Zoom.
Tales of the Trumpling: Snapshots of Trickle-Down Trumpery 0
And here’s a special bonus automotive Trumpling.
Aside:
I feel like I’ve died and been transported back to April 1954.
Originalist Sin, Reprise 0
Thom and his caller discuss the logical and legal flaws in “Constitutional originalism.”
Originalist Sin 0
Field explains the problem with Constitutional “originalism.” To paraphrase, it’s nothing more than a pseudo-historical rationale for turning back the clock.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Paranoia strikes deep at the happiest place on Earth.