LaVar Hosting Jeopardy July 26-30 Stan Account 👁

Note however, that Linker doesn’t bother to offer a counterargument, because he doesn’t think he needs to: the idea that millions of white people voted for a racist is so offensive—politically incorrect—that he relies on the (white) reader’s presumed disgust to persuade.

I didn't offer a counter-argument bc this column doesn't address the substance of the " all Trump voters are racist" claim. But my view is this: there is an important diff between someone who voted for Trump bc of the racism and someone who voted for him despite it.

Those aren't the same. Hovater is one thing. Someone who cares more about tax cuts than structural racism is another. Someone who voted of Obama twice but then Trump because of HRC hatred is another, and so on. "Trump voters are racists" elides all of this and much more.

I'm not interested in arguing with you Damon. My piece speaks for itself. As does your argument that it's not racist to vote for racist policy if what you really wanted was tax cuts. Peace.

This is where we differ. While of course a voter is AT BEST indifferent to racism if they voted for Trump (which is morally repugnant and results in perpetuating racism), differentiating the racist from the "hold my nose" voter is politically/strategically important.

Although you've made clear that political strategy isn't your priority, for those of us who are inclined that way, it's important that Dem politicians don't adopt "they're all racist" language that alienates those voters who otherwise benefit and would support progressive.

progressive policies.* It's also important not to say "they aren't racist" because doing so rightly alienates POCs who can see Trump's racism for what it is. It's not difficult to say "Trump used racism to give a (fake) face to cause of the real hurt felt by many Americans."

"But he named the wrong enemy. It's not POCs that stole your jobs/closed the coal plant etc. It's corporate greed." That's why Sanders was successful. Dismissing economic anxiety as a genuine motivator is only going to hurt us politically. As would dismissing racism.