Terrence Heath has a thoughtful essay on what is going on with whites. It is a companion piece to what he wrote recently about the decline of the GOP. I summarized it here.
Heath notes the persistent racism in America and the way it has been showing up lately. One example is the recently crowned Miss America who is Indian American. She was accused of being Arab, Muslim, terrorist, and not American.
Why is racism so persistent? What is wrong with the GOP strategy?
Being white is no longer the norm. Economic downturns usually hit black and brown people. This one hit whites too, giving them a level of economic insecurity not seen before. They have to share unemployment lines with "those people." In addition, the face of America is no longer a reflection of their own. Cultural icons, such as the president, are no longer always white. And they can't stop the change.
Denialism allowed many whites to believe progress for blacks came at their expense (the Great Recession helped), creating a feeling that whites are now more oppressed than blacks. The GOP was happy to stoke that fear and rage because they could win elections based on the white vote. That's no longer true.
Redistricting, done over the last couple census cycles to secure GOP seats, is now working against them. They haven't had to talk to minorities, so don't know how. And when they figure it out it will demand a change in policy. The fear and rage they've stoked in their base will turn against them.
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