Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee have taken a distinctively hardline stance on race and history this election season. Trump in particular has pushed for an “America first” policy, claiming that minority communities and immigrants living in the United States are taking advantage of government programs, while at the same time denying the legacies of slavery, racial segregation, and other injustices against people of color that are rooted in US history.
This stance is reflected in the words and actions of Republican candidates for various offices across the country. Whether it is defending the display of Confederate flags, rejecting legislation that would make lynching a federal hate crime, or asking Black Lives Matter to apologize for drawing attention to police brutality, GOP candidates are openly taking positions on race and history that leave little room for compromise. This polarizing stance makes it difficult to understand where Republicans stand on these issues, potentially driving away persuadable voters who may be uncomfortable with the party’s official positions.
