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Over the past eight years, the shift in political discourse has unveiled a disturbing trend: the normalization of open and explicit racism. While it is difficult to determine if politics themselves have become more racist in substance, there has been a noticeable change in the acceptability and ubiquity of racist attitudes. This shift can largely be attributed to two prominent figures in the Republican party: Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson.

Trump, known for his controversial remarks, pioneered the shift towards openly racist rhetoric. From his infamous comments about Mexican immigrants, Muslims, and African nations to his attacks on non-white progressive American congresswomen, Trump has actively fed into and exploited racial divisions. Despite facing minimal consequences for his shocking remarks, Trump's favorability rating remained remarkably low at 25 percent.

Another key player in the normalizing of racism is Tucker Carlson. As host of his Fox News show, Carlson regularly spews hateful and racist views. He has referred to immigrants as "dirty" and described the majority black city of Baltimore as a "little bit of Haiti in the Mid-Atlantic." The New York Times even concluded that Carlson's show may be the most racist in the history of cable news.

But it was one private racist text message that ultimately led to Carlson's downfall at Fox News. On the eve of the Dominion voting systems defamation trial, details of a message were revealed in which Carlson made offensive and crude remarks that went beyond what he said on his show. In this message, Carlson expressed a desire for Trump supporters to physically harm a member of antifa, but then questioned the dishonor in that impulse by claiming, "it's not how white men fight." This phrase embodies white supremacy, implying that non-white people fight dishonorably like savages, while white people possess an innate nobility and superiority.

This incident was not Carlson's first racist communique scandal, as his chief writer was previously revealed to have shared racist, sexist, and homophobic posts online. Despite attempting to distance himself from these views, anyone who has watched Carlson's show knows how he truly thinks.

However, the danger lies not only in the actions and remarks of Trump and Carlson themselves, but also in the tendency to give more weight to words spoken in secret. Secret rhetoric is often seen as closer to the truth, leading some to argue that figures like Trump and Carlson represent the true beliefs of the Republican party. While there is power in secret rhetoric, it is important not to make broad generalizations. Instead, we must confront and address the openly expressed racism that these figures embody.

Balancing Attention and Critical Analysis in Politics

The role of attention in politics and popularity is a complex and controversial issue. Some argue that attention gives power to individuals, while others believe that popularity is earned through favorability. When considering the actions and intentions of a specific individual, it is crucial to subject them to scrutiny and critical analysis. Simply giving them attention without proper examination is not enough.

For example, there is a particular individual running on a platform that aims to finish a supposed coup and end American democracy. Their rhetoric and actions are not popular, evident by their low approval ratings. It is essential to inform the American people about the true nature of this individual's goals rather than hiding it from them. Allowing this individual a platform to spread defamatory remarks is problematic, especially considering the ongoing defamation lawsuit against them. They must be held accountable for their words and actions, and not allowed to continue their harmful behavior unchecked.

However, there is a sense of exhaustion and denial among the public when it comes to this particular individual and their actions. In the past, everything they did received significant attention, but now there is a desire to move on from their divisive rhetoric. This exhaustion and denial contribute to a lack of interest in important events, such as a trial involving this individual and a civil rape allegation. Despite the significance of this trial, it does not receive the same level of attention as other events. This distorted sense of proportion can be attributed to the tumultuous political climate of recent years.

Additionally, it is essential to address the alarming trend of Republican state officials in various states attempting to undermine democratic accountability. These officials are targeting transgender individuals, seeking to ban abortion, and implementing measures that make it harder to pass amendments or overturn election results in specific counties. These actions subvert the will of the people and consolidate power among Republicans, posing a threat to democracy and individual rights.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has been actively fighting against these efforts to undermine democracy, particularly in North Carolina. Despite having a Democratic governor elected statewide, the Republican-led legislature has aggressively gerrymandered districts. The recent decision by the state Supreme Court, with a Republican majority, to reverse their own previous ruling and allow partisan gerrymandering is a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law.

In conclusion, attention and popularity play significant roles in politics, but they must be examined critically. Holding individuals accountable for their actions and words, rather than giving them unchecked attention, is crucial. Additionally, the alarming trend of Republican state officials attacking democracy and subverting the will of the people must be addressed and actively fought against. Individuals like Eric Holder are working to protect democracy and ensure fair representation for all.