DeSantis and Haley Assert U.S. Is Not Racist

In a recent CNN town hall in New Hampshire, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared that the United States is "not a racist country," a stance supported by fellow Republican and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is also a presidential candidate. Both politicians, seen as potential rivals to Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination, have served as state governors, with Haley having additional experience as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Their comments come against the backdrop of America's long struggle with racism—from the arrival of the first ship carrying enslaved Africans in 1619 and the persistence of slavery until its abolition following the Civil War, to the era of Jim Crow laws and the civil rights movements of the 1960s. Despite the progress, racial inequalities persist in contemporary society, an issue acknowledged by both political figures. Governor DeSantis has himself been embroiled in controversies concerning the teaching of slavery's history in Florida schools.

In a historical nod, DeSantis acknowledged that the Declaration of Independence's ideals were not initially applied to everyone, mirroring the country's evolving stance on race. The article also recalls the Dred Scott decision of 1857 and the transformative 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship to formerly enslaved people and is currently relevant in discussions about Trump's eligibility for office following the January 6 Capitol attack.

The current political landscape is marked by a majority of white Republican voters, according to Pew Research Center data. Vice President Kamala Harris has weighed in on Haley and DeSantis's remarks, emphasizing the need for thoughtful engagement with America's racial history rather than reductive soundbites.

The unfolding GOP nomination race is heating up in New Hampshire, with both Haley and DeSantis campaigning hard. Although DeSantis finished ahead of Haley in the Iowa caucuses, both lagged behind Trump, who garnered a majority. However, recent New Hampshire polls suggest Haley is competitive with Trump, while DeSantis remains further behind, and her campaign highlights a surge in her support.

On January 17, 2024, DeSantis addressed voters in Hampton, New Hampshire, as part of his bid, while polling in South Carolina shows Trump leading, followed by Haley and DeSantis in single digits. Haley's campaign is focused on positioning the race as a head-to-head battle with Trump in key states.

On the same day, Trump held a campaign event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he criticized Haley, challenging her policies and record as U.N. ambassador. Haley responded by accusing Trump of dishonesty and of being threatened by her candidacy, suggesting his attacks were indicative of her rising significance in the race. As the road to the 2024 GOP nomination continues, the political landscape is marked by debates over America's racial history and a complex dynamic among leading Republican figures.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, the liberal media is twisting the narrative, trying to paint America with the broad brush of racism. Patriots like Governor Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley are standing up for the truth, declaring boldly that the United States is not a racist country. These conservative champions are courageously pushing back against the left's victimhood mentality and their relentless attempts to rewrite history. Liberals, with their fixation on so-called "systemic racism," are the real racists, trying to divide our great nation and keep people in the shackles of dependency. DeSantis and Haley are fighting the good fight, acknowledging our past while steering us towards a future where merit and hard work define us, not the color of our skin. The Democrats, with their identity politics, would have us believe we haven't made any progress, but it's clear that they are the ones clinging to a divisive and destructive narrative for their own political gain.

Liberal Bias:

Here we have the typical conservative denial, with figures like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley disgracefully claiming that the U.S. is not a racist country, blatantly ignoring the systemic inequalities that still plague our society. These Republicans are turning a blind eye to the deep-seated racism that is woven into the very fabric of our nation's history. They gloss over the enduring legacy of slavery, segregation, and discrimination that continues to affect people of color today. It's a convenient lie to soothe their predominantly white voter base, perpetuating the myth of a post-racial America while people of color continue to suffer from institutionalized racism. Democrats like Vice President Kamala Harris are courageously calling for a genuine reckoning with our past, not the shallow, self-serving soundbites offered by DeSantis and Haley. It's a clear illustration of the GOP's unwillingness to confront the real issues and their fear of the demographic shifts that threaten their grip on power.