Right-wingers smear Brandon Scott, who was elected with over 70%, as a diversity hire after Key Bridge collapse

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott hit back at critics who called him a “DEI mayor” after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse this week.

Right-wing social media users bizarrely labeled Scott, who was elected with over 70% of the vote, “Baltimore’s DEI mayor” following a press conference on the collapse.

MSNBC host Joy Reid noted that Scott was overwhelmingly elected in a predominantly Black city.

“So by right-wing logic, a ‘diversity hire’ would have been a white man,” Reid said Wednesday.

“I know, and we know, and you know very well that Black men, and young Black men in particular, have been the bogeyman for those who are racist and think that only straight, wealthy White men should have a say in anything,” Scott told Reid.

“We’ve been the bogeyman for them since the first day they brought us to this country, and what they mean by DEI in my opinion is duly elected incumbent,” he continued. “We know what they want to say, but they don’t have the courage to say the N-word, and the fact that I don’t believe in their untruthful and wrong ideology. And I am very proud of my heritage and who I am and where I come from, scares them, because me being at my position means that their way of thinking, their way of life of being comfortable while everyone else suffers is going to be at risk, and they should be afraid because that’s my purpose in life.”

  • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    That platform is getting so toxic and racist now. The mayor’s speech thanked first responders and tried to give condolences to people who lost loved ones. Basic stuff that any good human does.

    America’s right is getting fucking scary.

    • Eldritch@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      It’s been scary for the last 100 years. They previously plotted overthrowing and killing FDR in the 30s. And suffered nothing for it when caught. In fact a few got elected to Congress post plot. Since then, they’ve been the defacto home for American fascism and neo Nazis in general.

      Throughout the 50s and 60s they stirred up fascist, anti socialist propaganda. Smearing, and attacking anyone they didn’t like regardless of facts or evidence. Ending careers, livelihoods and even a few lives through the persecution.

      There’s plenty to say about the 70s as well. Though “Nixon” covers a lot. Even as we consistently find out more and more as time goes on. Combined with starting to court their soulmates. The murderous KKK and lynching Dixiecrats post 1964 exodus from the Democrats. Culminating with Reagan. Who also courted extreme, fascistic anti christian fundamentalist “Christian” cults.

      It’s been a constant terrifying push from them. To which the American public has largely ignored, waffled, and had zero appetite to acknowledge or address. Even as they overthrew democratically elected governments around the world. Jr Bush and trumple orangeskin are just the most recent, less competent legacy of the last American century. And it’s fucking terrifying how “normal” it’s been.

      But yes, it does seem to be a bit more visible to some these days. So that good. Just wish more could see and acknowledge.

    • Snapz@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      You really need to go back to your comment and reexamine repeated use of the word “getting”.

      If not now, what signal are you waiting for to solidify this thing?