Comparing Racial Unrest and Protests in 2020 to 1968: Law and Order and Political Backlash
The racial unrest and protests in 2020 bear similarities to those of 1968, with discussions of law and order. Nixon and Trump both used similar rhetoric, but Nixon triangulated between liberal and segregationist figures, while Trump's rhetoric aligns more closely with explicit racism. The protests are a response to the policies created by Nixon in 1968 and the path the US took from that point on, as well as a backlash to Trump's political identity. The rise of racial and ethnic minorities in the US played a significant role in the election of Obama and the subsequent backlash that led to the election of Donald Trump. The current progressive stance on matters of race among white Americans is unprecedented in American history, but it remains to be seen if this commitment to racial justice will extend to more challenging demands such as police abolition and wealth redistribution. The demands for racial justice and police abolition may face a tremendous backlash, as history has shown. Trump's view of law and order involves the use of state violence against his enemies and the protection of his allies. The lesson from history is that there are moments of progress when Americans from different backgrounds come together in defense of their political ideals, but there is always a backlash, and it remains to be seen what the political effect of the current backlash will be.
00:00
The host explores the similarities between the racial unrest and protests in 2020 and those of 1968, noting that both moments involved discussions of law and order.
04:50
Nixon and Trump both used phrases like "law and order" and "silent majority," but Nixon triangulated between liberal Democrat Hubert Humphrey and segregationist George Wallace, while Trump's rhetoric more closely resembles George Wallace's explicit racism.
08:30
The scale of destruction does not justify the military intervention that Donald Trump wanted, and the protests are a backlash to the policies created by Nixon in 1968 and the path the US took from that point on, as well as a response to Trump's political identity.
12:20
The rise of racial and ethnic minorities in the US played a significant role in the election of Obama and the subsequent backlash that led to the election of Donald Trump, and the current progressive stance on matters of race among white Americans is unprecedented in American history.
16:03
The current progressive stance on matters of race among white Americans is unprecedented in American history, but it remains to be seen if this commitment to racial justice will last and extend to more challenging demands such as police abolition and wealth redistribution.
19:31
The demands for racial justice and police abolition may face a tremendous backlash, as history has shown, and Trump's view of law and order involves the use of state violence against his enemies and the protection of his allies.
23:07
Trump's fear of losing the election has surprised the speaker, as he typically deals with fear by projecting strength, as seen in his photo op at the church where he gassed peaceful protesters.
26:39
The lesson from history is that there are moments of progress when Americans from different backgrounds come together in defense of their political ideals, but there is always a backlash, and it remains to be seen what the political effect of the current backlash will be.
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