One of the many images posted on the trending #KKKorGOP hashtag
On August 6, during the GOP debate, Twitter activists launched a campaign to illuminate the parallels between known white supremacist organizations and political leaders, and the GOP presidential candidates and their political platforms.
Twitter users hijacked the hashtag #GOPDebate to heavily criticize the stances of candidates on everything from women’s rights and immigration to the briefly mentioned #BlackLivesMatter movement. The prevailing sentiment was that many of the candidates ignored one of the largest issues in America currently—race relations and police brutality. The only Black GOP candidate, Dr. Ben Carson, said on race, “The skin doesn’t make them who they are. The hair doesn’t make them who they are. It’s time for us to move beyond that.”
*listens to a bunch of old, straight, cis, wealthy white men talk about what women should do with our own bodies* #GOPDebate
— Detroit Red (@angelmparker) August 7, 2015
Before the #GOPDebate began, didn’t the moderators say that 8 million ppl were discussing “racial issues”? What happened to those questions? — deray mckesson (@deray) August 7, 2015
Ben Carson is at the #GOPDebate like…. pic.twitter.com/CM6Ya8NQEV
— EBS (@withlove_eb) August 7, 2015
At the same time, twitter activists launched the trending hashtag #KKKorGOP, which attempted to draw comparisons of candidate’s comments with white supremacist ideology and organizations.
White people applauded so LOUD when Uncle Ben said there’s no such thing as racism. #OurFavoriteNig #KKKorGOP
— Son of Baldwin (@SonofBaldwin) August 7, 2015
“I’m a hang-em-by-the-neck conservative.” – Jeb Bush. Sounds a lot like…………..nvm #KKKorGOP
— triana (@trianapena) August 7, 2015
Jeb Bush just said that he created a “culture of life” in Florida? Can he please explain the Stand Your Ground law then? #KKKorGOP — The Dream Defenders (@Dreamdefenders) August 7, 2015
