Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley is finding herself on defense again after she said “I had Black friends growing up” during a town hall as she sought to clean up remarks she made aroun…
Oh, yeah, I get that. I just don’t get why she’s using the black friend defense it in this context. Her imaginary black friends were not the ones she was trying to placate by failing to list slavery as the cause for the civil war.
You’re looking for reason in her statements, but the fact is that it’s a dogwhistle kind of emotional code, and she’s not speaking to reasonable people, she’s speaking to consumers of propaganda for whom these dogwhistle statements are tailored to incite an emotional response. Squid’s correct in referring you back to the social origins of the phrase, because in that context it has a very strong meaning, yet one devoid of apparent reason.
Not trying to argue with you, because your question and reasoning are solid. The people you are speaking of, Nikki Haley and her base, are . . . not.
“Some of my best friends are n—s” goes back a long way.
Oh, yeah, I get that. I just don’t get why she’s using the black friend defense it in this context. Her imaginary black friends were not the ones she was trying to placate by failing to list slavery as the cause for the civil war.
Having a black friend, in Republican eyes, excuses you from all racism forever.
Yeah, that’s still not what I’m talking about. Whatever.
You’re looking for reason in her statements, but the fact is that it’s a dogwhistle kind of emotional code, and she’s not speaking to reasonable people, she’s speaking to consumers of propaganda for whom these dogwhistle statements are tailored to incite an emotional response. Squid’s correct in referring you back to the social origins of the phrase, because in that context it has a very strong meaning, yet one devoid of apparent reason.
Not trying to argue with you, because your question and reasoning are solid. The people you are speaking of, Nikki Haley and her base, are . . . not.