As the Republicans meet in Cleveland this week to anoint their standard bearer, Donald Trump, many are still asking–and with good reason–how did we get to this point of having such a person as a presidential nominee. How can a man be taken seriously when his main policy prescriptions are such outrageous plans as (1) to build a wall between the United States and Mexico that Mexico would pay for, and (2) to create an unconstitutional religious test for immigrants? There are probably several good answers to this question; however, as with many issues in the history of the United States, race plays a significant role. In a major way, Republicans in congress, and so-called “conservatives” in the country created a racist environment in which Trump’s racist nativism could flourish.
As soon as Mr. Obama took office in 2009 Republicans began attacking him. Immediately they said they intended to make Obama a one-term president and would do anything possible to meet this goal. Among other anti-Obama activities, the Republicans unanimously opposed the Recovery Act, which was designed to stimulate the economy after the great recession of 2008. Republican Representatives voted against this bill despite the fact one-third of the funds was for tax cuts (to my dismay) when tax cuts are key aims of Republicans.
The first year included a summer of hate-filled speech. You may also recall the 2009 summer of town hall meetings filled with anti-Obama rhetoric. The summer concluded with South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson’s outburst–“you lie”–during Obama’s speech to Congress. It got so shameless through the years of the Obama presidency that Republicans in the Senate voted against their own bills–if Obama happened to favor the bills. They publicly resolved to oppose the President regardless of circumstances. All the while they argued that Obama was not a “true American,”
A consistent theme of the anti-Obama rhetoric was the claim that this President was not a “true American.” One right-wing writer said Mr. Obama sees the world like an African nationalist, a perspective Newt Gingrich praised. It got worse. Donald Trump asserted that Mr. Obama wasn’t smart enough to have gotten into Harvard or to have written his own books.
This theme was also consistently demeaning–and racist. This racism was so clear and distinct that several prominent Americans felt compelled to name it. Former President Jimmy Carter said on NBC News, “I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African American.” Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Republicans continue to use racist attacks–using slavery era language–against President Barack Obama because there is still a “dark vein of intolerance” in the party.
The actor Robert Redford said, “there is a body of congressional people that wants to paralyze the system. I think what sits underneath it, unfortunately, is there’s probably some racism involved, which is really awful…their determination was to destroy this man.” Even right-winger and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said the attacks on President Obama were hurting the country.
This racist anti-Obama rhetoric and actions had an effect on the society. While many of us readily see this anti-black trend, data also confirm this view. During Mr. Obama’s first term, anti-black prejudice increased in the country, to a point where the majority of white Americans express anti-black attitudes on scientific surveys. The same trend occurred with anti-Hispanic attitudes.
Many analysts of these issues note that white Americans see themselves losing their place and losing control of the country, and they want it back. Donald Trump is saying he will bring it back and “make America great again.” So he’s the leader. Is he the pied piper?