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To the editor:
The author of "The Hateful Old Party" (The Chief, Letters, Oct. 31) responded online to "Taking Exception" (Letters, Oct. 31) and "Deal Out The Race Card" (Letters, March 21)
Just as the author apologized online to me a while back, so do I apologize for misquoting the author in "Taking Exception." While not agreeing with everything the author says about Republicans and racism he does make numerous valid points, and no, I do not choose to ignore them. However ...
It is a fact that Black Lives Matter condemned the Democrats not having a primary in 2024. It is a fact that leftist, Black former Ohio state Senator Nina Turner said Black men have the right to support Trump. It is a fact that Trump gained ground with Blacks in 2024. I do not state facts as facts without verifying. All of this is verifiable; none of these are opinions.
I also stand by my assertion that those alleging racism, misogyny and xenophobia go to the YouTube videos that dissect the loss. Don't accept what I have said in previous submissions. Read the comments, at least some of which are undoubtedly made by those that voted. Some are undoubtedly made by trolls. But not all.
The country's mood is so dark and tense now. People cannot live like this for any sustained length of time. I have never expressed satisfaction with the 2024 election. I only disputed the racism theory.
Nat Weiner
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reenjoe
Nat, first I thank you for acknowledging that I raised valid points regarding the GOP and bigotry, even if you disagree with my conclusion.
You ask that I address the points you made in March, so:
1. Black Lives Matter (and others) condemned the lack of a primary in 2024. Joe Biden withdrew with 107 days left. Primaries run around 150 days (Jan.-June) and campaigns run another 120 days (July-Nov.). How could the Dems fit in both in only 107 days? Please outline in your next letter the logistics of a 50-state primary, convention and general election in 107 days. It is not even possible to get on 50 primary ballots in that amount of time, let alone general election ballots.
2. Nina Turner said Black men can vote for whomever they choose. Of course they can. How is that fact relevant to White voting patterns over the last 6 decades?
3. Trump gained ground with Black voters, primarily men. It's true that Biden carried 91% of Black voters and Harris carried 83%, still an overwhelming majority. In March you asked, "does that make Black men racists?". Of course not. Could a small percentage of Black men be misogynists? Absolutely. Could some Blacks even believe Trump's lie that Harris is Indian and not Black? Also, possible. Could Black voters, particularly men, be angry that Biden/Harris failed to advance the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and decided to send a message by voting for Trump? Very possible. People often vote against their own interests or stay home out of anger. Look at Muslim reaction toward Democrats in 2024 over Gaza.
Again, I reiterate, that not all GOP voters are bigoted, but all bigots who do vote, do so for GOP candidates. The issues the GOP highlights to lure these voters confirms this - same-*** marriage, transgender athletes, "migrant" crime waves, welfare (which bigots wrongly believe only goes to minorities), Back the Blue over unarmed people of color killed by the police, Wokeism, DEI, etc. Every culture war issue taken up by the GOP is directly aimed at energizing bigots to turn out at the polls. A small example is the GOP push to place same-*** marriage on state ballots in 2004 for the sole purpose of improving GW Bush's chances at re-election.
As for YouTubers thoughts on the 2024 election, as you say some are trolls and others put up clickbait to make money. Few will touch the subjects of racism and bigotry. Americans have a poor history regarding these subjects. Look at Florida - DeSantis all but outlawed any discussion involving race and gender identity in schools and public life. Other Red states followed DeSantis' lead. Local school boards were flooded with parents concerned about their children being "brainwashed by Critical Race Theory". Something - CRT - that isn't even taught at the public-school K-12 levels.
The only way for our country to become united is to have an honest, frank discussion of race, gender, religious differences and confront the biases surrounding them. These are the primary cause of the "dark, tense mood" you describe and America's divide.
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