Mitch Blows his Racist Dog Whistle

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the US Senate, stirred a bit of a firestorm on Wednesday when he compared the voting habits of "African Americans" with "Americans."

A reporter asked Mitch about concerns from voters of color that they could be barred from voting in this year's midterms if the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act failed to pass, and the crusty old McConnell waived aside that worry by saying, "The concern is misplaced because if you look at the statistics, African American voters are voting just as high a percentage as Americans."

Black Americans were quickly and righteously offended, as were many others, particularly those who have an understanding of the true impact of long-term racism in America.    Some rushed to minimize the impact of what Kentucky's senior senator had told the press.  His friends said it was obviously a careless mistake in word choices made by a very busy man, while others who are not so enamored of the old politician felt that he had inadvertently said what he really believed, a Freudian slip.

But there was a third theory as to why Mitch McConnell made that highly insensitive and offensive statement, and it was far more sinister.  Some felt that Mitch had said not only what he believed, but that he had also said it intentionally, an affirmation of his bigotry uttered to appease or appeal to others who share his white mindset.  

State Representative Malcom Kenyatta of Pennsylvania gave voice to that interpretation of Mitch's statement.  Kenyatta told that Guardian newspaper:

"It wasn't a Freudian slip.  It was a dog whistle, the same one one he has blown for years."

And Malcom Kenyatta is probably correct.  Mitch McConnell has been slithering around Washington, DC, for decades, and he is not known for making mistakes or misspeaking.   He may not always be truthful, but when Mitch says something, he has a reason for saying it.

Okay, Mitch, we get it.  Protecting the voting rights of racial and ethnic minority groups is not a matter of concern for you and your party.  You are focused on getting real Americans to the polls and keeping others away.  Message received.