Read more at sojo.net ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [[link removed]] Trump Unmasked His Racist Campaign Strategy—and Christians Have Choices to Make
[[link removed]] Jim WallisThe mask is off. For decades, white political leaders in the U.S. have masked
their racism, subtly stoking white voters’ racial fears, grievances, and even
hatred of those whose skin color makes them matter less to white America.

But throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has steadily moved from covertly racist rhetoric and policies to ones that are overtly so . And standing in front of Mount Rushmore on July 3, Donald Trump abandoned any
remaining shred of pretense (he doesn’t like masks anyway) and delivered a
speech that offered a classic defense of white nationalism in America’s past and
for America’s future. I don’t normally recommend people watch the deeply
problematic speeches of this president, but I do suggest that people watch this
one — especially those Republicans and white Christians who continue to
uncritically endorse this president.

“Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame
our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children,” said Trump in his
Mount Rushmore speech. Trump never says the word “Confederate” but it’s clear he
is referring to the recent protests that resulted in the removal or vandalism of
dozens of mostly-Confederate statues and monuments across the country; to Trump,
these are important parts of our history, in need of protection. (Trump’s speech also failed to mention that
these statued Confederate leaders acted in treason against America to protect
racialized slavery).

Trump's speech was not just “out of step with changing American opinion” as many
commentators have said. Fully 54 percent of Americans support the Black Lives
Matter protests that have now occurred in at least 1,300 counties and 67 percent
of Americans support the “Black Lives Matter” affirmation that Trump continues
to attack as a “symbol of hate.” On the celebration of the nation’s founding,
Trump was extolling and identifying himself with America’s white dominant past
and promising to protect it for the future. Let’s be clear: the white identity
politics that are clearly animating Trump’s campaign, are also white idolatry
politics — and it is past time for white Christians to pay attention.

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