Southern racist politicians chose to frame their defense of segregation using the language “law and order” because it allowed them to promote racist polices without sounding openly racist. This helped them get support from people who didn’t want to admit they were against Civil Rights but still felt iffy about the changes. Michelle Alexander says this type of wording “helped to mobilize white opposition to the civil rights movement without sounding racist”( The New Jim Crow p.2). Instead of saying they didnt want integration, they said they were protecting safety and social stability. This gave them political cover allowing them to attract white voters who were uncomfortable with civil rights without being called racist.

This language had another advantage it made civil rights activist look like criminals. Protests, marches and sit-ins were seen not as demands for justice but as a threats to order. This authorized politicians to push harsh laws and policing especially in black communities.

I think the Southern Strategy is still influencing politics today. An example is how some politicians responded to the 2020 BLM protests. Instead of talking about the issues of police violence, they focus on “law and order” photos of chaos to scare voters. That same tactic you know using race-coded language to win support is still happening.