Republicans are 'accused of racism' because of people like Rep. Steve King, says GOP Sen. Tim Scott
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has wondered why terms like "white nationalist" and "white supremacist" became "offensive." The GOP's only black senator is here to show him.
After King's words were published and universally decried Thursday, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post blaming comments like King's for claims that the GOP is associated with racism. And if King wonders why his words are problematic, well, he "lack[s] some pretty common knowledge," Scott said.
Scott started his op-ed by sharing that knowledge, describing how "we are only 18 months from Charlottesville, where white nationalists killed a white woman with a car," and four years past the murder of nine black people in a Charleston, South Carolina church. "These are just a sliver" of the examples Scott could list, he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Some in our party wonder why Republicans are constantly accused of racism," Scott continued, explaining that "it is because of our silence" when comments like King's are made. That silence is why, especially in matters of immigration, the GOP's "affection for the rule of law has become conflated with a perceived racism," Scott said. "King's comments are not conservative views, but separate views," Scott said, adding that they "should be ridiculed at every turn possible." So especially in this case, Scott said he feels "silence is no longer acceptable" when it comes to decrying "dangerous" racist voices in the GOP.
Read the op-ed at The Washington Post.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 20, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - papal ideas, high-powered debates, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 sleeper hit cartoons about Trump's struggles to stay awake in court
Cartoons Artists take on courtroom tranquility, war on wokeness, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The true story of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
In depth The writer's fall from grace with his high-flying socialite friends in 1960s Manhattan is captured in a new Disney+ series
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published