- Southern racist politicians chose to frame their defense of racial segregation through the language of “law and order” because it was a slick way to appeal to racist sentiments without being openly racist. By shouting “law and order,” they could crack down on civil rights movements and black communities under the guise of fighting crime, without directly mentioning race. This not only kept their hands clean in the eyes of the law but also resonated with white folks who were scared of the social changes the Civil Rights Movement brought. It was a clever but dirty trick to keep racial control without saying it out loud.
- I think the Southern Strategy hasn’t disappeared from today’s political scene. Take Trump’s comments in 2023, for instance, where he used terms like “poisoning the bad blood” and “make America clean again.” Those aren’t just offhand remarks; they’re loaded with implied language designed to fuel division. It is hard to say this is not a Deja Vu or continuation of “Law and Order” that was used by Southern racist politicians.
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