(AP)
Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign is facing fierce criticism for choosing rally locations in what are known as “sundown towns.” These communities, historically marked by racial segregation and violence against Black individuals, were known for enforcing policies that prohibited Black people from being present after sunset through intimidation, discriminatory laws, and lynching.
Trump’s choice of these locations for his rallies is raising significant concerns, especially given his past actions and rhetoric. Critics argue that this strategy aligns with his history of provoking racial tensions and his controversial associations with white supremacist groups.
Compounding the issue is the support Trump receives from some Black celebrities and self-proclaimed Black conservatives, who either endorse him or spread misleading information about his opponents. Actor and R&B singer Tyrese Gibson recently came under fire for his false claims regarding the Asian Hate Crime Bill during an Instagram Live chat with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who did not correct him.
Gibson wrongly accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of prioritizing the Asian Hate Crime Bill over addressing racially motivated crimes against Black Americans. Black journalists swiftly corrected Gibson, emphasizing that the bill addresses hate crimes across various racial groups and highlighting the significant anti-lynching legislation passed under the Biden-Harris administration.
This trend of misleading statements is part of a broader pattern among some Black celebrities, such as Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Lil Wayne, Waka Flocka Flame, and Ice Cube, who have shown varying degrees of support for Trump. Their endorsements lend an unfortunate legitimacy to a candidate with a history of racial animus, especially as he appears to be courting white supremacist support through rallies in sundown towns, told The Independent.
Journalists and social media commentators have pointed out the troubling nature of Trump’s rally locations. Jim Stewartson and singer Bill Madden have noted a disturbing pattern, with Trump holding rallies in sundown towns like Howell, Michigan. Madden commented, “This gentleman has noticed something very disturbing. Trump has been holding his hate rallies in sundown towns.”
Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance highlighted Trump’s rally in Cullman, Alabama, a town with a notorious sundown history, questioning whether such choices could be coincidental and concluding, “Sometimes the dog whistle is actually words, loudly spoken.”
Social media users have also connected Trump’s rally locations with his broader strategy of racial division. One user remarked, “Interesting notice recently that Trump is holding his rallies in sundown towns. This caught my interest when he chose Cullman, Alabama, my mother-in-law’s hometown, as one of his 2021 stops for this campaign.”
Opinion columnist Will Bunch emphasized the significance of Trump’s visits to these towns, stating, “This is remarkable — Trump’s visits to sundown towns — and cannot be a coincidence. Hat tip to [Madden] and the dude he posted who figured it out.”
In stark contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris is currently on a “Freedom Bus Tour,” focusing on reproductive rights and equality. As one X user noted, “Kamala looks to the future and restoring rights. Trump looks to the past and Jim Crow.”
Critics argue that Trump’s rallies in sundown towns are deliberate provocations that evoke America’s racist past, a past he seems eager to revive. As Maya Angelou’s famous quote suggests, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Journalists like Reecie Colbert, Roland Martin, and Kathia Woods have observed that Trump’s actions demonstrate a pattern of inflaming racial division and aligning with those who seek to oppress.
