Perspective: GOP Presidential Candidates Want To Push The Buttons Of Americans

We talked earlier about all of these different comments that Republican candidates have been making when it comes to African-Americans and food stamps and welfare and things along those lines. Let's be clear. This is all by design in terms of they want to push the buttons of White conservatives who're walking around with particular views, as well as subjective views, of African-Americans. And so it appears as if they simply want to get a rise out of African-Americans every time they do it.

So, what should we be doing? First of all, not fall for the okey doke. Certainly, keep people accountable [for] what they say, but also continue to push them on policy and challenge them on policy, but also change the conversation to being mad with what somebody says, but explain to the American public that, "Look, more White folks are on welfare and receive food stamps than anybody else." Black folks don't need to own poverty. We don't need to own the issue of welfare, just like when I discuss Affirmative Action, I make it clear that White women have benefit from Affirmative Action more than any other group in this country. So, some things we don't need to own. Certainly, hold them accountable, but trust me. Let's not fall for the tricks that they always play when it comes to trying to push the buttons of Black folks.

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News & Politics

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• Roland S. Martin
• Politics
• TV One
• GOP
• African-Americans
• Conservatives