Donald Trump’s selection of former football player Herschel Walker as the GOP candidate for Georgia’s U.S. Senate seat in 2022 is seen as a racist move. Trump’s assumption that Black people would vote for any Black candidate, regardless of their qualifications or values, is a clear display of racial tokenism. It disregards the fact that a better candidate, Senator Raphael Warnock, who is also Black, was available. However, Trump seems to value loyalty over qualifications, as evidenced by his consideration of Senator Tim Scott as his running mate in 2024. Scott’s unwavering support for Trump, despite his problematic actions and statements, shows his ambition to gain favor with the former president.
Scott’s endorsement of Trump is particularly troubling, considering Trump’s history of racism and divisive rhetoric. Scott’s willingness to ignore Trump’s controversial actions, such as his refusal to denounce white supremacists, raises questions about his own values and principles. It appears that Scott is willing to do whatever it takes to gain Trump’s favor, even if it means compromising his own integrity. This ambition is further evident in Scott’s endorsement of Trump during a rally in New Hampshire, where he praised Trump’s ability to unite the country, despite his divisive nature.
Trump’s admiration for Scott is clear, as he sees him as a potential vice president due to his support and loyalty. Trump’s comments about Scott’s endorsement and how he would be a better candidate for Trump than for himself further highlight the former president’s desire for subservient allies. Scott’s willingness to pander to Trump and overlook his flaws has not gone unnoticed by Trump and his allies.
The Republican Party as a whole seems to be engaging in tokenistic efforts to appear diverse, without addressing the underlying racial issues in society. While they may recruit minority and women candidates, their actions and policies do not support diversity and equity on a larger scale. They have sought to prohibit taxpayer funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and have proposed legislation to restrict or disclose such initiatives in several states. These actions contradict their claims of supporting diversity and equality.
The story of Kentucky state Representative Jennifer Decker further exemplifies the hypocrisy of Republican politicians when it comes to diversity and equity. Decker, a white woman, spoke at a predominantly Black audience about understanding their pain, while simultaneously trying to ban diversity programs in state colleges and universities. Her father, a white preacher, was born long after the abolition of slavery, yet she fails to recognize the need for diversity programs in Kentucky schools.
Overall, Trump’s racist tokenism and the Republican Party’s shallow attempts at diversity highlight the larger issue of systemic racism within the party. Their actions and policies do not align with their claims of supporting diversity and equality, and they continue to perpetuate racial inequalities in society.
