When it comes to GOP racism, there was a time for action. When that time arrived, it was crucial to strike while the scandal unfolded. Instead, inaction first excused, then encouraged and finally institutionalized the party’s position on the matter.
GOP racism is a study in what happens when your outrage and attention comes 16 years too late.
On January 14, 2019 House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy(R) CA, stripped Rep. Steve King(R) IA of all House Committee assignments. This was in response to King’s remarks, “When did the term White Supremacy become a bad thing?”
If this were the first racist thing to come out of King’s mouth, this would be a much different conversation. But it is not. So let us go ahead and stipulate to the fact that Steve King is a racist based on his own hateful rhetoric.
If accountability is important to the GOP, then the real underlying question why take action now?
Ownership of GOP Racism
Steve “King of the Racists” has been in Congress since 2003. Republicans had control of the House and serial child molester Dennis Hastert(R) IL was Speaker of the House. King had no one to keep him in check.
Keep in mind, King has never hidden the fact he supports White Nationalism and is on the record for “hating” people of Islamic faith.
Now that we are in 2019, we have 16 years of history to apply to addressing the problem.
Why did it take so long for Republicans to say “enough” of GOP racism?
How many times is it okay to freely spout racist rhetoric until it is unacceptable?
To Republicans in Washington D.C., the line is drawn when they realize control of government is about to be handed to the Democrats on a silver platter and the GOP is being labeled the Party of Prejudice. Not only does the electorate not want to elect their candidates, the voters don’t want to be known as Republicans.
In those sixteen years Steve King has been a Congressman, Democrats have denounced every single inflammatory and divisive word spoken by him. Republicans failed to do so.
According to my score card, this means the GOP owns 100 percent of the racist narrative being broadcasted in this country.
2020
As a nation we tried once to enact legislation that would end racism and oppression in America.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended discrimination and oppressive practices surrounding voting. More importantly, it significantly increased the Black participation in American politics setting the stage for minorities to have a greater voice in government.
This law stood until the Supreme Court of the United States struck it down ruling voter suppression was a thing of the past since Barack Obama(D) was elected President in 2008. SCOTUS missed the target on that one. Following their ruling, restrictive Voter ID laws were passed in those states with a history of minority suppression. The law was challenged by Republicans in Alabama, after all.
In less than two years, have a chance to regain control of our democracy and finally end GOP racism in Washington.
The 2020 General Election will be America’s opportunity to become what it aspires to be — a beacon of hope for everyone regardless of race or religion.
