Republicans Pretend to Care About Diversity In Day One of the RNC

Day one of the Republican National Convention, the party of Trump tried to portray themselves as a party of diversity. They mostly failed.

Monday, August 25th was the first day of the 2020 Republican National Convention. And considering the batshit crazy lineup — which features everyone from a gun-toting St. Louis couple to the Kentucky high school student who had a standoff with a Native American — we weren't quite sure what we were going to get. Who knew that the evening would be an attempt to pretend like the Republican Party is a party of diversity.

The RNC, which is officially being held in Charlotte — even though everything is remote — included speeches from the only republican Black Senator, Tim Scott (SC); NFL great Hershel Walker, who is a longtime friend of President Donald Trump; Georgia state lawmaker Vernon Jones, who is a Democrat but is supporting Trump; House candidate Kim Klasik of Maryland, who recently revealed a provocative ad centered around Baltimore; Nicki Haley, Indian-American former ambassador to the United Nations; and former Fox News host and Donald Trump Jr.’s girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, who mentioned several times during her batshit crazy speech that she was a Latina.

But of course, even with a more diverse looking sheen, the policies and views displayed didn't veer too far from typical right-winged whistles. Most of the night was about how great Donald Trump is and how there would be complete anarchy if the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ticket won.

The big selling point Republicans is that the American dream is conceivable to Black and brown people — but only if conservative policies are adopted. After making a passing reference to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and police reform, Scott's speech was mostly about his humble beginnings and how he rose to become Trump's lackey. "Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime," he said at one point. 

Nikki Haley had a similar message, talking about her upbringing as an Indian-American, while also declaring, "America is not a racist country."

Jones sounded like a mix of Kanye West and Candace Owens — who was not invited to the convention — using verbiage like "independent thinkers" and "free minds," saying, “The Democratic Party does not want Black people to leave their mental plantation."

While Klasik said:

“Joe Biden believes we can’t think for ourselves, that the color of someone’s skin dictates their political views. We’re not buying the lies anymore. You and your party have neglected us for too long.”

NFL great Walker talked mostly about his long friendship with Trump. At one point Walker said, “Growing up in the Deep South, I’ve seen racism up close, I know what it is, and it isn’t Donald Trump.” 

But even with the representation, the racism and culture war bullshit seeped through. The word "cancel" or the phrase "cancel culture" was repeated dozens of times during the evening. And there were whistles about how rioters were making their way to your safe suburban homes. One of the more surreal moments came when Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who infamously pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters, wrapped themselves in victimhood.

“What you saw happen to us could just as easily happen to any of you who are watching from quiet neighborhoods around our country. Make no mistake: No matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats’ America."

The moments that had people talking most came toward the end: when the spotlight was on Guilfoyle and Don Jr., who both gave intense, animated speeches. 

Kim, talked about her immigrant background, despite the fact that her mother is a Puerto Rican and Puerto Rico is, in fact, in America.

Along with the talked about civil unrest happening in the country, stoking fears and not displaying any concrete policy points. 

 "Rioters must not be allowed to destroy our cities. Human, sex, drug traffickers should not be allowed to cross our border," she screamed. 

 Don Trump Jr. who is presenting himself as the future of the Republican party shared a similar dark message. Even though people on social media were only focused on his appearance; he had glassy eyes, was sweating and talking way too quickly and loudly. 

At least there isn't three more days of this.