The Democrats in my adopted state of Florida selected Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum as their 2018 candidate for governor. The Republicans picked Representative Ron DeSantis as their guy. Shortly after the election DeSantis set off a bit of a tempest when he said, “Let’s build off the success we’ve had on Gov. [Rick] Scott,” DeSantis said. “The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state.” This remark was met with a reply of “it is to early for racism” from a colleague of mine, to which I replied, “these days, it is never too early for racism.” But, is his remark actually racist?
The problem with DeSantis’ remark is that linking black people and monkeys is a well-established tool of racists. As would be suspected, it has been argued that DeSantis has begun engaging in racist dog-whistling. A second alleged offenses is his describing Gillum as “articulate” which is a term that has an unfortunate history in the context of race. This situation raises, once again, the matter of whether such remarks are racist.
In defense of DeSantis, it could be argued that while he might have chosen his words unwisely, it does not follow that his remarks are racist or that he is a racist. On the face of it, references to monkeys need not be racist. As many have noted, George Bush was often compared to a chimp by other white people without any plausible racist intent. The Monkey Business yacht, made infamous by Gary Hart, does not seem to have been putting forth a racist message. And, of course, people routinely use “monkeying around” and “monkey business” without any racist intent at all. As such, it could be claimed that DeSantis’ monkey reference was not racist because it has common, non-racist applications.
One obvious reply to this defense is that while monkey comparisons are not necessarily racist, using them against a black person usually is racist and this is well known. From a practical standpoint, an experienced politician like DeSantis should be aware of how this would sound. As such, at the very least he can be criticized for not being more careful in his choice of words. At worst, he can be regarded as starting his campaign with a racist dog-whistle.
It could be claimed that the remark itself is not inherently racist, so what matters is DeSantis’ intent. DeSantis’ defenders claim that he had no racist intent and is not a racist. His detractors, obviously enough, disagree. This matter can be addressed by considering DeSantis’ history. Those who think DeSantis is a racist can point to his role as an administrator of a racist Facebook page. To be fair to DeSantis, his claim that he was added without his knowledge or consent has some plausibility. Quite some time ago, I was made an administrator of a Facebook group without any action on my part. I was, obviously, notified of this by Facebook—but it is easy to imagine someone missing this announcement. Without clear evidence of DeSantis being actively involved in the page, this is hardly evidence of his being a racist.
DeSantis is also alleged to have attended a conference featuring extreme right wing speakers and DeSantis makes it clear that he is a hard-line conservative. While guilt by association can be psychologically appealing, it would be too quick to infer that DeSantis is a racist based on attending one such conference. As an academic, I have attended conferences featuring people with extreme views that I disagree with, such as postmodern “Marxists” and wannabe Nietzscheans. The same sort of thing could be true of DeSantis. That said, attending such a conference does provide some slim support to the claim of racism.
For many, the strongest evidence for DeSantis’ racism is his affiliation with Donald Trump. If Trump is not ideologically racist, he clearly has no moral qualms about using racism to his advantage (which might make him, on some moral theories, worse than a sincere racist). If DeSantis is embracing Trump’s values, then he is also embracing actual or instrumental racism—which would lend considerable credence to the claim that his monkey remark is racist. Whether DeSantis is racist or not, his remark is already creating political ripples. Those most likely to see his remark as racist were no doubt already planning to not vote for him. However, his remark will be a dog-whistle in the ear of some (whether intended or not). But, these people would no doubt already intend to vote for DeSantis rather than Gillum. However, the fear that Gillum will “monkey things up” if he gets elected could motivate citizens who would not otherwise vote to do so—just as Trump’s racist remarks (instrumental or actual) helped draw voters to the poll. DeSantis, though, might find that such a strategy might backfire—if it is his strategy.
Mike, consider this. Imagine that someone ignores race and is totally indifferent to it. To this person, race is not even a category of thought.
I would say the probability of such a person making a racist remark approaches 1.
Sigh. This kind of stuff is completely absurd, yet unbelievably commonplace in this country.
In politics, it really doesn’t matter if someone is a racist or not – what matters is if you can make that name stick to the point where you can destroy him. Anything can be twisted around in the public view to accomplish that goal, and if you can do it early enough in a campaign, you’ve just nicely paved your own campaign trail.
It’s an easy and obvious attack that makes any other debate completely unnecessary. DeSantis mentioned a few other points that one might think would be important in a gubernatorial race – “Socialist Agenda”, “Huge Tax Increases”, “Bankrupting the State” … anyone want to talk about that?
I don’t know anything about Florida politics, but I do know when someone is avoiding an issue by directing attention away from it. Why bother talking about true accusations of Socialism and high taxes (which, God forbid, might actually require some thought) when you can just attack words like “monkey” and “articulate”?
Suddenly Gillium is excused from having to answer for his agenda, and the press doesn’t care. They have their piece of raw meat, and regardless of how they got it, they will run with it.
Can someone please tell me how this is any different from McCarthyism? Back then, people’s lives were routinely destroyed in front of hungry mobs by virtue of the slightest hint of association with the Communist Party. Actual proof was not necessary – no such thing as “Probable Cause”. Suspects were hauled in front of the HUAC based on unfounded accusations, often made for the exact same reason the accusation of “racist” is made today – to try to destroy your opponent.
It worked for a while then, and it is working again today. It was a stain on American history then, and it is again today.
I don’t know anything about Florida politics, but I do know when someone is avoiding an issue by directing attention away from it.
Permit me to summarize…The Dems primaried about a half dozen candidates. The mainline elements of the party split between two candidates and thus this Tallahassee mayor, Gillum, squeeked through on a plurality. Gillum espouses socialist ideas way too far to the left for a state that hasn’t elected a far left candidate to state-wide office in living memory. Possibly ever. Thus the Dems are in a straw grasping panic.
Also, I have a comment in regards to the costly college post that seems to be caught in the spam filter. If you’re interested.
DeSantis might, as his defenders claim, be utterly unaware that there is a long history of using monkey comparisons and terms like “articulate” to dog whistle to the racists. He might have simply used the term because it is a phrase he has used often before, likes or thinks matches his ideological critique of Gillum’s views. One might also claim that DeSantis is the victim here-he used the monkey remark in utter innocence, unaware that anyone could possibly take offense and was unfairly attacked by people who see race in everything.
Since I teach at an HBCU I had the opportunity to clearly see how African Americans reacted to these remarks; they generally had no doubts. Now, you might say that they are overly sensitive to such innocuous remarks and they should just accept that DeSantis was merely criticizing Gillum’s political ideology. Actual racists also heard what they thought was a whistle, but perhaps they hear racism where it does not exist.
I agree that the election should be about the candidates’ views and if DeSantis made a single, innocent error, then the matter should be laid to rest. If no dog whistles come from him, then there should be no problem.
Why does it have to be an error? If it were me, and had I used those terms, I would have used the word “Monkey” in the context of “Monkey Around” because I know damn well what I mean by it, and I don’t care that it has been used as a racial epithet in the past. If people are going to insist that it is some kind of racist secret code, then let them.
If we are going to be a “post racist” society, we have to meet in the middle – not have non-“people of color” cowering in their boots afraid to use their own language.
And … “dog-whistle” …? Are you SERIOUS? Do you have ANY idea how completely ridiculous that is? What are you saying – that DeSantis, a member of a secret racist society, silently signals to his fellow racists – “wink, wink, I’m with you guys …”. Pure and utter fantasy.
And by suggesting that DeSantis might have done this on purpose is to say that he is completely out of his mind stupid. Maybe that’s really what you think – after all, he is in Trump’s camp, isn’t he? Let’s jump to all those conclusions you have spent so many essays telling us are invalid – guilt by association, and all that.
And as for “Articulate” – another absurdity. I read the WaPo article you linked … where the author claimed that the unspoken end of the sentence was, “For a black man …”. That is sheer paranoia. It’s juvenile. It’s like that old “Office” gag – where every innocent comment was appended with “That’s what she said!”.
Sorry, If I tell an African American that I think he is articulate, the only thing I mean by it is that he uses words well and expresses himself in a fluent and coherent manner. If he wishes to assume I mean “For a black man”, well, that’s his own stupidity and racism showing through.
I stand by my earlier comment – that in this day and age of tribalism (ooh – “tribalism!” Does that mean like, “African tribes”? Am I secretly signalling to the other racists on this blog? ) and an abject refusal to allow a single critical thought to enter one’s brain, it is patently obvious that the Democrats in Florida have no intention (and probably no ability) to argue the merits of the campaign. It is SOOOO much easier to just divide the constituents on racial lines.
If I sound pissed off, I am. I really am. I’m sick and tired of people telling me what I mean with the words I use, and refusing to accept that I am intelligent enough to use them the way in which they were intended.
I’ve been derided by my use of such terms as “A chink in the armor” and “Spic and Span” and even “Going Dutch”.
We’re completely out of control.
One more thing. Why is it that the only choices offered are that DeSantis is in error, or that Desantis is a Racist? It’s perfectly clear to me that the real “error” is on the part of those who cry “racist”. Except that it’s not an error at all…it is a purposeful and calculated attack. And I am embarrassed for anyone who buys into it. It’s a tactic that destines us to racial division for eternity.
Why is it that the only choices offered are that DeSantis is in error, or that Desantis is a Racist?
Because there are no real rules except Leftist Politics RULEZ! Have I mentioned that Mike teaches courses in ethics? It’s true.
I feel your pain. Ten years worth.
Well, I have a confession to make. I am a racist. Yes, it’s true- and there’s plenty of evidence to back it up.
In 2007, John McCain was talking to voters and he used the term “Tar Baby” to describe the idea of federal intervention in divorce cases. When he was told that some people took offense at that word, he said “I hope my views aren’t taken like that” but it was too late.
I thought it was a pretty descriptive term (as I did when Romney used the term to describe the Big Dig in 2008).
The fact is, I have learned, that he was using a “dog whistle” term to secretly signal to other racists. Little did I know that since I could hear a whistle only racists can hear, I must be one of them.
In 2008, I voted for John McCain. In 2012 I voted for Romney, and in 2016 I voted for Trump. Racist #1, Racist #2, and Racist #3. So I must be one, right?
During the Obama administration, I confess that I was very much against the Affordable Care Act. I thought my opposition was based on ideological grounds, and the expansion of government, but I have since been told that my opposition was a double act of racisim: First, since the Act was promised to provide health insurance for the poor, and that most of the poor are black, I was informed that didn’t want them to have insurance. In fact, (I guess) I just wanted them to die. That was the actual platform of the right, as described by the left: “Our plan: Don’t Get Sick”, right? And for us hard core racists, the platform was “But if you’re black, go ahead …”
Second: as an American citizen (and a conservative one at that), it is inconceivable that I would actually have a thought in my head – so my opposition had to be based on the fact that I “Just Wanted Obama To Fail” . The reason is obvious, isn’t it? A black man? President? He’d better fail, right, fellow racists?
I have learned so much about myself.
When Mitt Romney ran for president, I embraced the “Take Back Our Country” movement. I thought I meant, “Take Back Our Country from Leftists, and those who want high taxes and expanded government programs, who despise wealth and seek to redistribute”, but I have since learned the error of my ways. I have learned that what I really meant was to “Take Back Our Country From The Black People”.
On a side note relative to that, I also confess that I used the words “You People”. Again, ignorant racist that I am, I thought I was referring to leftist ideologues, but no, it was black people I was referring to (or so I have been told).
When my children were growing up, I thought I was using terms of endearment when I called them “little monkey”. Little did I know I was using a racial slur against my own progeny! And I use the word “Articulate”, both as a verb and an adjective – and (you’d better sit for this one) I USE IT INDISCRIMINATELY to refer to people who speak with fluency! Apparently I have been signaling my dog whistle rampantly all over the place. Who knew that I was whispering “…for a black man” under my breath the whole time!
I want so desperately to change my ways, i really do – but I don’t know how. Is there a rehab for people like me?
I think that for starters, I’d really like to get a list of the words that I just can’t say, or that someone might take in racist ways, or that might be inadvertent dog-whistle signals to other racists. (I’m really impressed that this group of gun-totin’ white trash, southern White Supremacists have the smarts to put together such a sophisticated code system. Now if I could only learn it so I know when I’m using it!)
Sigh. Maybe I should just give up and throw myself at the mercy of my neighbors, my employer, my customers, or the mob down the street. I know I deserve to be shunned, to lose my job, to not be allowed in stores, and maybe even to be beaten – but our damn government won’t do a thing about people like me. Where is the justice?
The guilt is overwhelming.
Hate to break the news to you but if you give the “OK” hand signal, well you’re not just a racist but a neo-nazi as well:
https://tinyurl.com/yd64a55x
Hey, they had a whole 25 people show up for the white power rally in DC.
Hmm, could it be in anyone’s interest to exaggerate the threat of white nationalism? I wonder…
Hmmm. Does using an emoji count? Then “Guilty As Charged ” (though I’m not sure how to reconcile my now-obvious Neo Nazi ideology with my Jewish heritage).
Verizon must be complicit somehow, aren’t they? They’re the ones who put the OK emoji in the text app in the first place. Maybe I was brainwashed.
If only the government could help!
This OK symbol thing is even more nuts than I thought. Turns out it originally originated as a satirical joke on redit and/or by 4chan a couple years ago but had died out. Then in the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings yesterday, his mexican-jewish descendant of holocaust survivors assistant casually had her hand folded in that manner while sitting behind Kavanaugh and thus partially on camera, some leftist Twitter twit picked up on it and raised a fuss. Because of course it fit in with the circus handmaiden’s tale theme of general oppression. You’re right, we’re completely out of control. How do you suppose we got that way.
https://nypost.com/2018/09/04/conspiracy-about-woman-at-kavanugh-hearing-rages-online/
Hopefully spam filter doesn’t trap this…
Mike, I am a little unclear about the theory of the crime here, if indeed there was a crime. Since Andrew Gillum is black, what exactly did DeSantis hope to gain by employing a dog whistle?
Is the theory that the racist voters didn’t notice that Andrew Gillum was black, and they needed to be reminded?
Seriously, please give us a plausible explanation as to why DeSantis would use a dog whistle against a black candidate.
My final comment here. All sarcasm aside, there is absolutely no question in my mind that this is nothing – absolutely nothing – but power.
When you have a tactic that can put you in charge right away, that can be wielded as a powerful weapon that can bring down your opponent quickly and completely, you do not want to give this up.
The idea of “Racism” is nothing more than a political tool, and as such, will not go away. Ever. Those of us who wish to live in a “post racial” society are swimming upstream against a very strong current.
It is in the best interest of the Al Sharptons, the Jesse Jacksons, and the “Leaders of the Black Community”, including politicians, government officials, corporate heads and even activists of all stripe to KEEP IT ALIVE! If the ability to cry “RACIST!” goes away, so does their secret weapon, and they will have to play on the same field as everyone else – one of critical thinking, ideology, accomplishment. Not that they don’t already – but the weapon is there, and the rest of it fear its terrible force – because we NEVER know when it will strike.
If true, it would certainly be ironic that accusing people of racism competes with the power of actual racism.
Mike, it surpassed the power of actual racism a long, long time ago. Look at it this way – about 75% of the US population is white, or about 260 million people. About 13% is black, or 45 million people.
100% of the white population is at risk of being accused of racism – and the accusations are based on completely random, moving targets – like the innocent use of a word like “articulate”, and the emerging definitions of “dog whistle” code words, for which there is no comprehensive instructional list.
On the other hand – even if 100% of African Americans were victims of racism, their careers cannot be destroyed because of any assumption based on their skin color. In fact, if that kind of situation ever did exist and were discovered, it would be the racist that would lose their jobs, their careers, their reputations.
The United States Government fully supports equal opportunity and Affirmative Action, whereas they also support laws against racism.
The United States Population has become over-sensitive and entirely intolerant towards even the slightest perception of racial bias. Point of clarification – bias on the part of African Americans towards whites is tolerated and even embraced, whereas the reverse calls up the pitchfork and torch crowd.
This assumes that there is some inverse to the “greatest good” principle…the greatest harm to the greatest number…?