The GOP Convention has been a s*it show. Ben Carson suggested Hillary Clinton looks up to Lucifer for guidance and Chris Christie held an impromptu trial, finding Clinton “guilty” of numerous crimes.

But perhaps the most egregious statements were made by sitting Congressman Steve King.

That exact moment where Congressman Steve King goes full white supremacist. An ahistorical mess. Textbook racism.https://t.co/g6waq3I8fC

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) July 19, 2016

Although Congressman King tried to clarify his racist rant in a statement to the press, his original words speak for far too many Republicans. The GOP’s facade insists their party champions civil rights and “the little guy.” But, as made evident by the base of the GOP (neo-nazis and white supremacists), their agenda muzzles outsiders who threaten the natural order of society. The Republican Party does not have complete ownership of this agenda.

King’s rhetoric is the foundation of modern Western civilization. America was founded on indigenous genocide, and the notion that black people were 3/5ths human. While most Americans are well aware of these facts, many are unaware of the harsh realities still plaguing black and Native descendants.

The GOP’s usage of dog whistle politics gave me hope in a weird way.

I have an insatiable hope that deep down, most people are good, but these hopes were dashed during this presidential cycle. Since the election of Nixon, the GOP depends on dog-whistle politics to unite their electorate. Through the use of racially coded language, conservatives are able to take public office because they scare white America with an innate fear of the unknown. But Trump subdued this political inclination during our election cycle. Conservatives were presented with a blatantly racist and Islamaphobic candidate – and they willingly voted for him.

https://twitter.com/tylerjameswill/status/755176132127825920

The intentional and widespread decision to vote for the Cheeto puts my insatiable hope in a predicament. Frankly, it makes me want to leave.

I was born in this country. My ancestors built this country with their blood, sweat and tears. Yet, I do not feel welcomed in a place I pay tax dollars to live. This is the burden of being a black woman in America. I would be lying to myself if I wrote that in the face of this I choose to always stand strong.

What would happen if I, along with other black people, took black creations and left? One things certain, we are taking a shit ton of stuff with us. Beyoncé, the White House, hot combs, Shea butter, and ice cream are coming with us in our carry-on luggage. I would seek asylum in Cuba and find Assata Shakur so we can swap natural hair secrets. But the truth is, I can’t abandon a country built on the backs of my ancestors. But still, a girl can dream…

Let me be clear, I despise neo-liberalism as much as I despise neo-fascism.

The guiding lights of both these ideologies is white supremacy. But in this election cycle, one side overtly touts their affinity with white domination. While some make the argument of “honesty being the best policy,” it terrifies me to know that an entire political party (full of ordinary white citizens) willingly chooses the route of intentional hate.

white ppl are weird af, they keep saying immigrants are invading their countries but white ppl invaded 90% of the world and i’m just????????

— ˗ˏˋ mya ˎˊ˗ (@VISHANTIS) July 18, 2016

The problem with this election is that both sides depend on fear to win votes. While Trump speaks of a “foreign enemy” (immigrants and Muslims) wishing Americans harm, the Clinton campaign uses the image of Trump as a demagogue to scare people into voting for the Democratic Party.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I am terrified. A campaign wanting to “Make America Great Again” inspires neo-nazis, white supremacists, and ordinary white Americans to emerge from their cabins in the woods and preach hate in 2016. This blatant desire to uphold white domination during a time of black liberation terrifies me and makes me want to get the fuck out of dodge.

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