Southern racist politicians chose to frame their defense of racial segregation through the language of “law and order” because they did not agree with integration. In order to mobilize the white opposition, politicians and law-enforcement used “law and order” to counteract the civil rights movement. With the use of “law and order” southern politician and law-enforcement were able to use this language to appease to those who were against the Civil Rights Movement and used civil disobedient as the leading cause of crime in conjunction with the number of protest. Many southern politicians also used integration as a leading cause to the high rates of crime and compared the southern crime rates to the northern crime rates in the U.S.
I do believe that the Southern Strategy it’s still influencing American politics. Even today mass incarceration is still an issue and people of color are still being incarcerated at a higher rate than their white counterparts, especially when it comes to non-violent crimes. Also politicians have used fear to tuck at the anxiety of white supporters in the south and suburban communities. They have done this by using certain rhetoric that criticizes movements against injustices and used certain languages to label them as criminals. For example the Black Lives Matter Movement protested in many states and countries against police brutality and the numerous killings of people of color by law enforcement, they were called terrorist and criminals. Those who attacked the nations capital were labeled as heroes and Americans who were fighting for their freedom. Another example is when then President Trump used the rhetoric that if not elected for a 2nd term, suburban communities will be flooded with low income housing, and the media has shown through out the years that most people who live in low income housing or poor people of color who come from communities where there is a high crime rate.
One thought on “Discussion Board 2”
Good points throughout, Nicole. Yes, the upcoming battle for 2024 is releasing all kinds of tactics used previously in our elections, like the Southern Strategy.
Good points throughout, Nicole. Yes, the upcoming battle for 2024 is releasing all kinds of tactics used previously in our elections, like the Southern Strategy.