The Conventions: An Inclusive Tent vs. Rancid Xenophobia

Now that both political parties have concluded their conventions, pundits, politicians, columnists, plain janes, and average joes are all weighing in with their analyses. Joe Biden and the Democrats emphasized pluralism and diversity of all stripes – age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, etc. California senator Kamala Harris made history by being the first woman of color to accept her party’s nomination for Vice President of the United States of America (youtube video). The message Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats sent to their base was that the America that he and Kamala Harris would preside over would be one of fairness and inclusion, where people from all walks of life would be welcomed, embraced, and treated with dignity and respect.

Donald Trump and the Republicans presided over a convention that invoked themes of imperialism, nationalism, tribalism, and a deliriously dangerous dose of fear and paranoia. Donald Trump made it clear that, if reelected, he and Mike Pence would do everything possible to ensure that the nation would become one of restriction, exclusion, recidivism, and nationalism in a manner heretofore unseen. The few selected non-White speakers aside, the message of “Let’s make America great again” (that is, White male-dominated and as homogenous as possible) was clear.

Those of you reading this article are likely to be politically active or, at the very least, politically curious citizens who are deeply attuned to and avidly astute about the current national political environment. Thus, rather than offering a deep level of turgid analysis on conventions that you have probably either voraciously viewed, tenaciously tweeted on, or rabidly read about, I will summarize the highlights of each convention that I saw as most noteworthy.

Democratic Convention:

Michelle Obama delivered a “This Is What’s at Stake” speech

Several Republicans gave intense speeches declaring their support for Joe Biden

A charming young boy, Brayden Harrington, gave a heartfelt and inspiring speech that endeared him to millions of viewers

Hillary Clinton engaged in a bout of self-deprecating humor

Former president Barack Obama delivered an “in no uncertain terms” type of message to Americans about the perilous dangers that a second Trump term can/will wreak

Julia Louis Dreyfus’ attempts at humor fell flatter than an unhinged door

Several other notable celebrities, among them Eva Longoria, Megan Rapino, and Billy Porter, made their support for the Democratic agenda known

Several Democratic politicians denounced the increase of right-wing militias that were intimidating and, in some cases, murdering citizens

Democratic progressive darling and firebrand, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, and Vermont Independent, Bernie Sanders, made direct appeals to their base to support the Biden/Harris ticket

Republican Convention:

President Trump and his wife emerged down the White House steps in dictatorial fashion

Melania Trump spoke on how she loves America and its freedoms

Several non-White people attempted to make the case (unconvincingly) that Trump is not racist

Several Republicans said that America is not a racist nation

Trump pardoned a few Black people

The Trump children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Tiffany, spoke about how great a father and leader Donald Trump was

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, corporate attorneys from St. Louis who are currently facing federal weapons charges, warned Americans (read White middle- and upper-class conservative Americans) that their safety was in danger if the Democrats are elected

Numerous Republicans denounced so-called “cancel culture” as a serious form of verbal McCarthyism designed to suppress conservative speech

Trump used the White House to brazenly promote his re-election campaign, violating the Hatch Act

Trump touted the theme of law and order, similar to Richard Nixon in 1968

Trump promised to add more conservative judges to the Supreme Court if elected

The GOP blamed current unrest on lawless Democratic-run cities, out of control leftist protesters, etc.

Joe Biden and the Democratic establishment sent the message (arguably subtly) to middle-aged, elderly, and more conservative voters that the moderates would control the party if Biden were elected. This was evident in the marginalization of the party’s more progressive voices. This strategy may cause the Democrats problems if the left feels they are being disrespected.

The unfiltered message that Donald Trump and the GOP sent to its base and undecided voters was that the Republican party will make sure to brutally confront radicals and other dissenters (read left-wing protesters) who dare to challenge any forms of racial, political, social, or other injustices perpetrated on marginalized citizens.

The Democrats decided to promote an inclusive tent filled with a potpourri of diversity. The Republicans chose to employ nationalism and right-wing populism venomously laced with rancid xenophobia to scare the wits out of certain segments of White voters. This far right dalliance could cause many moderate Republicans to either refuse to vote and stay home on election day or pledge their allegiance to the Democrats (and some already have).

The hard-core truth is that most voters have already made up their minds. While there are pockets of undecided voters, they are few and far between. It will be up to that minute segment of the eligible aged voting block to decide which direction the nation will be headed. We will know the answer in a little less than two months.