"The signature nest of blond hair; the political career forged by unexpected success on a TV show; the knack for grabbing attention by ensuring every public moment carries a frisson of danger, generated by the possibility that the rules are about to be broken, often through a remark that is crude or hurtful or both. Both Donald Trump and Borris Johnson are skilled at making their appearances seem daringly, and therefore compellingly, unscripted – "seem" being the operative word in Johnson's case."
Per the 'Guardian'
You'd think considering the ongoing aftermath of electing Trump to office that other countries would take note, but apparently not. The UK is dangerously close to electing Borris Johnson to replace Teressa May as Prime Minister, and are ignoring all the same red flags the U.S. did in the election of Donald Trump. The most concerning of these red flags being Johnson's lying and evident white supremacism.
During the 2016 election of Donald Trump, many Americans shared sentiments of worry over the comments Trump had made about women and minorities, but Johnson's take on this sort of "all press is good press" has reached new heights with his racist comments and derogatory language.
Below I've created a brief list of just how many groups Johnson has offended with his remarks.
Gay Men
Though Johnson's more recent political efforts have been to the benefit of the UK's LGBTQ community, it is hard not to forget his comments from previous years, from saying "[the Labour Party's] appalling agenda, [is] encouraging the teaching of homosexuality in schools, and all the rest of it," to comparing gay marriage to bestiality in 2001, writing that "[i]f gay marriage was OK - and I was uncertain on the issue - then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog." In a 1998 Telegraph column about Peter Mandelson's resignation from the Labour government, Johnson said the announcement would lead to the "blubbing" of "tank-topped bumboys" in "the soft-lit Soho drinking clubs frequented by Mandy and his pals," referring to gay men.
Black people in the UK
When criticizing previous Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the Labour Party, Johnson referred to black people as "piccaninnies" and talk about them having "watermelon smiles." Though he later apologized, Johnson still receives heavy disapproval for the racist comments.
Women
In 1996, while working as a journalist, Johnson attended a Labour Party conference to rank the "hot totty" who were present referring to young female delegates. Borris wrote about how "[t]ime and again the 'Tottymeter' has gone off as a young woman delegate mounts the rostrum" instead of reporting the ongoings of the conference. Furthermore, Johnson has received criticism for pinning a pornographic calendar to his wall, despite complaints from female colleagues. Boasting of the choice, Johnson told Telegraph readers that the calendar "caused something of a stir." "They made women feel embarrassed," he wrote. Though even after citing his awareness of the discomfort of his female colleagues, he did nothing to ease the tension. Johnson's own former colleague, Sonia Purnell, cites in her biography of Johnson how he seemed to always portray women as "feeble 'blubbering blondes' or 'collapsing with emotion ..."
The entire country of Papua New Guinea
Similar to the insults Trump wielded towards Mexico, Borris Johnson came under fire in 2006 for his insult of Papua New Guinea. He wrote that "For 10 years we in the Tory Party have become used to Papua New Guinea-style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing, and so it is with a happy amazement that we watch as the madness engulfs the Labour Party." Papua New Guinea's High Commissioner in London, Jean L Kekedo, reacted angrily saying that she considers Johnson's words to be "… very damaging to the image of Papua New Guinea and an insult to the integrity and intelligence of all Papua New Guineans." Kekedo's anger and disappointment pushed her to ponder "[h]ow far removed and ill-informed can Mr. Johnson be from the reality of the situation in modern-day Papua New Guinea?"
Muslim women
In 2018 Johnson was accused of Islamophobia because though he came out against bans on face-covering veils in public places he prefaced his position by staying "[i]f you tell me that the burka is oppressive, then I am with you" and that "[i]f you say that it is weird and bullying to expect women to cover their faces, then I totally agree - and I would add that I can find no scriptural authority for the practice in the Koran." Johnson went on to say "I would go further and say that it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes" and add that women in burkas looked like bank robbers. After these comments, Johnson has continuously been criticized by government officials, civilians, and activists. Labour MP David Lammy commented o the issue, saying that "Muslim women are having their burkas pulled off by thugs in our streets and Boris Johnson's response is to mock them for 'looking like letter boxes'... Our pound-shop Donald Trump is fanning the flames of Islamophobia to propel his grubby electoral ambitions."
Libyans
While acting as foreign secretary, Borris Johnson once again found himself being criticized for over-the-top, crass comments. When discussing Libya in a Conservative Party public meeting that "[Libyans] have got a brilliant vision to turn Sirte into the next Dubai... [t]he only thing they have got to do is clear the dead bodies away," he said, before laughing. HIs outward disrespect towards the lives being lost and the humanitarian crisis within the nation shocked the world.
Given all this information, I can't seem to decide what's worse: our Donald Trump or a Donald Trump who actually understand how government works...
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