“GOP Candidates Follow Trump On a Divisive Journey Through Race and History

In the 2020 U.S. election cycle, Republican candidates are taking increasingly hard-lined stances on issues of race and history. Led by President Trump, the GOP is championing rhetoric that is divisive, often demonizing or ignoring minorities and downplaying historical injustices. For example, the president has been playing up the dangerous “unchecked” crime in America’s “inner cities” and encouraging law enforcement to take a hard stance against crime. He has also doubled down on his rhetoric from the 2016 campaign, where he called Mexican immigrants “rapists” and “criminals,” proclaimed a symbolic wall along the US-Mexico border, and proposed a Muslim ban. Further, Republican candidates are looking to remove certain monuments and memorials that honor racist historical figures, including Confederate leaders. Notably, President Trump has long defended the preservation of such monuments, and many states – particularly southern states – have yet to take any action to move them. In addition, Trump and Republican candidates have been dismissive of systemic racism. This is evident in the president’s refusal to acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been gaining traction in recent years in response to police violence against African Americans. Ultimately, the GOP’s stance on race and history further highlights the party’s willingness to prioritize political gains over progress and inclusivity. Most recently, President Trump and various other GOP congressional candidates have publicly supported bills that would severely limit the training of law enforcement officers on the topics of unconscious bias and de-escalation. These stances will undoubtedly inform voter opinion in the upcoming election and could shape the conversation around race and justice for many years to come. While Republican candidates may have intentions behind their views, some of these positions are ultimately not beneficial for the population as a whole and pose a risk to minorities and marginalized communities. It is instead important to promote a more positive approach to the future while recognizing and learning from the past.