Special Edition: Eye-Opening Quotes from the Republican National Convention for Historically Underrepresented Workers

Understanding Incumbency: Power, Privilege, and Persistent Inequities

I'm a corporate strategist turned business writer. Corporate strategists don't just crunch numbers, we analyze the news to understand how public policy and market changes may affect our business. Those potential effects are quantifiable and we create market or financial models to highlight potential impacts for our fellow business leaders. This helps them prepare for change.

In my case, old habits die hard. I couldn't help but to create a model to highlight the impact of the Republican National Committee's 2024 convention on historically underrepresented workers. I wrote to you, my executive team, a concise newsletter. Enjoy!

Political Incumbency

Have you ever considered what the term "incumbent" truly signifies? In politics, an incumbent is someone who has previously won an election, making them a recognized entity. This status allows them to attract financial support and media attention, solidifying their position. In contrast, a new political challenger must build name recognition and demonstrate their legitimacy.

Incumbency in Microeconomics

In microeconomics, incumbents are established companies with significant market power and resources. A historic example is Blockbuster, a dominant movie rental business that lost its market share and went bankrupt due to the challenger Netflix.

In microeconomics related to wealth, wage, and income gaps, white Americans and families often hold a type of incumbency thanks to centuries of chattel slavery followed by a century of economic apartheid. Today, white families benefit from structural and systemic racism that pays historically underrepresented workers less than their white counterparts for the same job. These structural inequalities contribute to the persistent economic disparities observed today, which we help historically underrepresented workers address with our Perspectives Media newsletters.

Analyzing RNC Rhetoric for Policy Implications

We created a searchable database of 118 speakers from the 2024 Republican National Convention and analyzed mentions of historically underrepresented leaders and workers.

I wish I could tell you that the recent far-right attacks on DEI were because the Republican party had clear policy alternatives they wish to offer. But what we found was the opposite. The top leaders of the Republican party appear to not only knowingly benefit from white economic incumbency but also advocate for its continuance and growth. They ignore systemic issues of the wage, wealth, or income gaps completely in favor of blatant tokenism performed by historically underrepresented workers within the Republican party.

But you don't have to take our word for it. Check out the quotes below.

If you want to hear these speeches, go to C-SPAN.?

Quotes on Historically Underrepresented Workers from the Republican National Convention

Anti-DEI

• Marcia Blackburn, U.S. Senator from Tennessee: “Their regulations aren't just burdensome. Often, they include racist DEI requirements.”
• Michael Walz, U.S. Representative from Florida: “He's [Joe Biden’s] focused on pronouns. He's focused on renaming bases. He's focused on DEI. And here's my favorite. He's focused on building electric tanks. Has anybody seen any charging stations in the Middle East for the, for the Biden's electric tanks?”
• Ron Desantis, Governor of Florida: “They want to ban gas automobiles, eliminate second amendment rights, and impose gender ideology on everyone from our infantrymen to kindergartners. They stand for DEI, which really means division, exclusion, and indoctrination. And it is wrong.”
• Brenna Byrd, Iowa Attorney General: “…the radical left believes in handouts, not handcuffs. Democrats like Harris use words like reimagine the police. They're probably imagining more DEI programs for the police.” -Brenna Byrd

Analysis: These quotes misrepresent and undermine DEI initiatives, which attempt to create inclusive workplaces and address systemic inequalities. By dismissing DEI with no alternatives, these statements contribute to an environment that devalues diversity and equity, potentially leading to increased discrimination and exclusion of marginalized groups at work. This rhetoric can also inflame tensions and incite hostility, impacting the safety and well-being of workers from diverse backgrounds. Not to mention trivializing the outsized police killings of Black people is morally questionable at best.

General Tokenization

• Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia: Under President Trump, 2.4 million Americans were lifted out of poverty. Women, black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, all saw record low employment. Under Donald J. Trump, we once again will have that rip-roaring economy that lifts up all Americans.

Analysis: While economic progress is important, it’s crucial to recognize that workplace systemic inequities persist. Tokenistic references to cherry-picked statistics overlook the ongoing discrimination and wage disparities that persisted then and now. Addressing wage, wealth, and income gaps requires targeted policies for sustainable and inclusive growth, promoting equity and justice for all.

Anti-Black

• John James, Businessman and Former U.S. Senate Candidate from Michigan:? Look, I heard a little bit earlier today, if you don't vote for Donald Trump, you ain't black.”
• John James:? “Black people were sold on hope. Now our streets are rife with crime. Our kids can't read and illegals are getting better help from Democrats in four days than we've gotten in 400 years. Our daughters were sold on hope and now they're being forced on the playing fields and changing rooms of biological males. America was sold on hope and now the world's on fire.”
• Mark Robinson, Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina:? I am the first black Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. And come November, I plan on being the first black Governor of North Carolina. Now I stand before you on the verge of becoming the first black governor of North Carolina.

Analysis: These quotes exemplify tokenism and the reductive use of racial identity for political and career gain. They ignore the complex political beliefs and diverse experiences within the Black community, reducing them to monolithic stereotypes. This type of rhetoric can perpetuate negative stereotypes and detract from meaningful discussions on policies needed to address systemic racism and inequities, further marginalizing Black workers.

Transphobia

• Donald J. Trump, Former U.S. President:? “We will not have men playing in women's sports.”
• Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. Representative from Georgia: “They promised normalcy and gave us Transgender Visibility Day on Easter Sunday.”
• Ron Desantis, Governor of Florida:? “They can't even define what a woman is.”
• John James, Businessman and Former U.S. Senate Candidate from Michigan:? “Black people were sold on hope. Now our streets are rife with crime. Our kids can't read and illegals are getting better help from Democrats in four days than we've gotten in 400 years. Our daughters were sold on hope and now they're being forced on the playing fields and changing rooms of biological males. America was sold on hope and now the world's on fire.”
• Eric Trump, Son of Former President:? “Male athletes, guys my height, 6 foot 5, are swimming in women's sports, destroying the dreams of young girls who have trained every minute of their lives.”

Analysis: ?These quotes reflect a broader pattern of transphobic rhetoric that undermines the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. Trans people face high rates of interview and workplace discrimination. We have to mention that crime against Trans people is the highest of any group.? This rhetoric fuels discrimination, hostility, and violence. The conditions created by these beliefs and comments further marginalize Trans workers and create instability in LGBTQ+ income stability and wealth creation.

Anti-Immigrant

• Peter Navarro, Convicted Felon and Former Presidential Adviser: “Murderers and rapists, drug cartels, human traffickers, terrorists, Chinese spies, and a whole army of illiterate, illegal aliens stealing the jobs of black, brown, and blue collar Americans.”
• Ron Desantis, Governor of Florida:? “They mandated that you show proof of a COVID vaccine to go to a restaurant, but they oppose requiring proof of citizenship to cast a vote.”

Analysis:? These quotes promote a narrative of fear and hostility towards immigrants, painting them as criminals and threats to American jobs and security. This rhetoric fosters xenophobia and division, ignoring the overwhelmingly positive contributions immigrants make to the economy and society. Immigrants are vital to many sectors and often take on jobs that are crucial yet unfilled by native-born citizens.

Anti-Latinx

• Linda Fornos, Immigrant from Nicaragua: “Please welcome Latino-American Linda Fornos.” “To my beloved Latino community, it's time to wake up and smell the Cafecito.”

Analysis:? Linda Fornos was the only RNC speaker introduced by her race, ethnicity, or religion. This quote exemplifies a tokenistic gesture that does not address the real challenges faced by the Latinx community. While the use of cultural references like "cafecito" may seem endearing, it falls short of meaningful engagement with the issues that matter to Latinx individuals. This also exemplifies RNC leaderships desire to co-opt DEI-rooted practices and language while also demonizing it.

I'm Darein Burton, a world-traveled consultant and corporate strategist. Every Tuesday, I publish the Perspectives for Progress newsletter, designed to empower historically underrepresented professionals like myself. As a Black and queer man, I understand the unique challenges we face. That's why I started this newsletter—to offer a business and networking platform for in-depth analysis, diverse perspectives, and building community with like-minded professionals.

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