After many years of the Bush family dominating the political arena, some were hopeful when Jeb Bush assured people in the republican debates that he was in fact very different than his brother, former president George W. Bush. However, Jeb Bush's views on racial issues have become more clear in recent times when he has repeatedly said that black voters simply want "free stuff." Not only was this offensive phrase used within the last few months, but also in Jeb Bush's book, "Profiles in Character," which was written in 1996. "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" goes into further detail on the issue when Larry's opening monologue questioned Jeb Bush's character and ability to recognize his white privilege.
Racial apathy and colorblind racism is defined as indifference towards societal racial and ethnic inequality and lack of engagement with race-related social issues. Today in our country, the common theme has been color blindness in the midst of police-brutality wars that clearly show that there are still racial issues in our society. While slavery was abolished and the civil rights movement has improved the racial division and rights in our culture, there is still white privilege and systematic racism that needs to be dealt with.
Jeb Bush's ignorance to recognize that this country was built by leaders who encouraged white supremacy and that our political realm is still primarily dominated by white heterosexual men points to his true beliefs and intentions if elected into office.
The insulting notion that black voters are only in line to get "free stuff" is not only an uneducated assumption; it's flat out not true. The institutionalized racism found in our country through housing, education, welfare, job wages, and immigration policies has been ingrained in our system for decades. While there has been many improvements to institutionalized racism politicians such as Jeb Bush keep racism in our country alive by creating a language that shows his true perspective on the black community in the United State.
Language is important especially when a leader of our nation represents the people of our country. Being considered and educated on the history of our nation, the flaws in our system and the ways in which our country can improve all play an important role in the presidential role. Racial equality is not what our country needs because not everyone is starting from the same place therefore, there needs to be racial justice so that we all have the same privileges.
