The 2020 election promises to be one of the most pivotal moments in recent American history. In a contentious and highly charged political climate, Republican candidates have taken notably polarizing stances on social issues of race and history. Led by President Donald Trump, the GOP’s controversial views have inspired heated debates across the country.
At the center of this divide is Trump’s vocal support for the Confederate symbols of the past. In a post-Charlottesville incident statement, the President argued that preserving such monuments is essential for protecting “our history.” Despite immense opposition, Trump brazenly continues to laud Confederate iconography, even going so far as to sign a declaration in 2019 that proclaimed Confederate Memorial Day as a state holiday.
Rather than challenging these divisive positions, many GOP candidates seek to emulate the President’s views, thus further fueling the fire. On the other hand, there are those that have advocated for a more progressive dialogue, such as Iowa Senator Joni Ernst’s refusal to support a repeal of Iowa’s House File 2144 allowing for the display of Confederate symbols.
Trump and the Republican Party’s views on race and history have clearly sparked a controversy of epic proportions. While the party seems to continue to express its polarizing stands, debates on what the future should look like for America are also continuing to unfold. Will the GOP eventually rally around a more diverse and inclusive platform or will they stay the course and double down on the President’s decisions? Only time will tell what kind of legacy they will leave behind.
