What social science tells us about racism in the Republican party

[Scuba]

So Republicans are a bunch of racist pricks. Who knew?


https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/12/11/what-social-science-tells-us-about-racism-in-the-republican-party/

An expanding body of research by psychologists, economists and political scientists suggests that voters' racial biases help the GOP win elections, and critics say the party is capitalizing on that fact. Though researchers haven't settled how successful dog-whistle politics are at tapping into those prejudices, some believe that race will become more, not less important in the party's future campaigns.

"There's a good deal of evidence that white resentment of minorities is linked to support for Republican candidates, their policies and conservative ideology in America," said Robb Willer, a political psychologist at Stanford University.

...

As the country has become more diverse, the Democratic Party has, too. But the demographics of the Republican Party have not changed much in recent years, according to Gallup. As of 2012, 89 percent Republicans were non-Hispanic whites, compared to 60 percent of Democrats. Nearly three quarters of Hispanic and Asian voters and fully 93 percent of black voters cast ballots in favor of President Obama in 2012, according to Washington Post exit polls.

Research has shown that voters who favor Republicans are more likely to hold racial biases against people of color. For instance, nearly one in five Republicans opposes interracial dating, compared to just one in 20 Democrats, according to the Pew Research Center.

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. Anyone who's been paying attention to American politics for the last 40 years could've told you that

everything the Republican Party stands for is built on racism and racial resentment. Welfare spending cuts? Joe Redneck says "I don't want my tax dollars going to support those people" (and we know which people he's talking about, don't we?)

Gun control? "Right to self-defense" types are probably not imagining that the hypothetical rapist/burglar they're defending themselves against is another white guy.

Even abortion; the demographic shift in the US population is partly a result of declining white birthrates. Solution? Ban abortion and contraception! (I'm 100% certain this is one of the motivations for that, even if it's unconscious.)

[Buzz Clik]

2. The keys to being a solid, practicing racist in today's unforgiving, PC society are multifold.

The Racist's Rhetorical Guide

1. Deny it. Even if you drop the N word, just say it was a joke. "Hey! They do it."


2. Turn it around: "You're the racist!" This is a fun game. Every time race is mentioned in any context, call your critics racists. The Comment: "Mr. Kerry addressed the congregation at an African-American church..."; The Response: "OMG. 'African-American'? It was just a church. You libs are all racists."


3. Attempt to redefine the universe: Liberal whites are self-loathing and racist against other whites.


4. Dog Whistle. This is my favorite because it combines all other approaches. You use obscurely racist terms that other racists recognize but are easily dismissed. "That thug Michael Brown deserved to die for resisting arrest." "So, it's okay to use lethal force on shoplifters just because they're black?" "Your attempt to make this a racial issue will fail." BOOM! Assholes 1, Libs 0


The key to arguing with these racist assholes is to NEVER call them racist because it immediately derails the conversation. Stay on track by fiercely attacking the message.

[Scuba]

3. +1

[2naSalit]

4. K&R!!!

Many of us already knew this.