There are instances when certain individuals have a greater standing to discuss sensitive topics, and when they do so, often at significant personal sacrifice, they deserve our applause.
This was evident recently when Tim Scott, a prominent black leader, Senator, and former presidential candidate, came forward to publicly defend Republican Daniel Cameron against racist attack ads launched by his opponent, Andy Beshear, who is running for the position of Governor in Kentucky.
Scott’s response came after Beshear referred to Cameron as an “Uncle Tom.” While the character of Uncle Tom in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book possesses many virtuous qualities, Beshear’s use of this term was intended to belittle Cameron. Scott characterized Beshear’s comments as the “epitome of racism.”
These attack ads are sponsored by a far-left Super PAC funded by the George Soros foundation and insinuate that Cameron, Kentucky’s first black Attorney General, does not support the black community, as reported by the Daily Wire. The ads derogatorily label Cameron as “Uncle Daniel Cameron” and depict him as a traitor to the black community with the provocative phrase, “Skinfolk ain’t kinfolk.”
Scott, who made history by becoming the first black senator elected in the South in 150 years, strongly condemned the racist ad. When Beshear declined to comment on or retract the ad, Scott criticized his silence as “despicable.”
In denouncing these racist tactics, Scott expressed his perplexity to the Daily Wire, questioning why the governor of a state as diverse as Kentucky, who has been entrusted with the responsibility by the people, would remain silent. He suggested that the primary motivation for this silence was the pursuit of power, unless Beshear genuinely believed in the content of the ads.
Scott summarized the actions of those involved as “race-baiting” and as a means to fan the flames of racism for the sake of power. He found it appalling that someone would stoop so low as to use the term “Uncle Tom” as an insult.
Beshear attempted to distance himself from the ad by claiming it was created by “an African American-led PAC” and referred inquiries about the ad to them. Beshear’s office stated, “The governor has chosen to let [the PAC] speak for themselves.”
However, the PAC remained steadfast in their racist attacks and released a second ad associating Cameron with a malicious character played by Samuel L. Jackson in the movie “Django Unchained.” This character was depicted as cruel to fellow slaves and described by Jackson as the film’s “hateful negro.”
Scott expressed his concern that these attack ads send a skewed and harmful message to impressionable voters, particularly young people of color, stating, “It’s a signal to every young child growing up in Kentucky who happens to be of color, that if you dare to express conservative values, you might be the next target. To consider the signal and message they are sending is truly despicable.”
