Democrats and Dog Whistles
Ever since the Republicans adopted a Southern Strategy to gain political momentum after the successes of the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans have become highly attuned to racist "dog whistles" in politics. And so for example, when Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for president in Philadelphia, Mississippi (where 3 civil rights workers were murdered in 1964) and focused his speech on defending "states rights," he sent a message that was both loud and clear to both Southern racists and African Americans without ever having to be explicit.
As we fast forward to 2008 and the election of this country's first African American president, those dog whistles from conservatives weren't so hidden when a group of tea partiers rose up to challenge his place of birth. But in addition to the more blatant racism, there were plenty of dog whistles too. Here's a reader at TPM explaining what s/he saw in 2011 when Speaker Boehner had some issues with scheduling a joint address to Congress by President Obama over the jobs crisis.
When Boehner does something like this (that no previous Speaker has done to any previous President), when he refuses to return the President's phone call during the debt ceiling crisis, when he skips state dinners, when he refuses to definitely say that he believes the President was born in the US or is a Christian, or when Boehner coddles a member of his caucus who shout "you lie" during a Presidential address, etc one certain thing happens - black Americans notice it.
African-Americans are especially sensitive to the unprecedented disrespect that white Republicans have afforded to the first black President. Every time it happens, it ripples across black radio, black newspapers, black websites, and in conversations in black communities. It helps cement the ties that Obama has with the black community, and helps overcome whatever doubts and disappoints some may have. It reminds people who have experienced covert racism in their own lives that the President is experiencing the same kind of dehumanizing disrespect.
Read More http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2015/04/democrats-and-dog-whistles.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
And it is right on target. And they do the same for women, and LBGT... basically anything other than affluent old white men.
The dog whistles are red meat for the other affluent old white men, and their utterly foolish followers.
As always.
Fact!
Love ya
