Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, facing an onslaught of racially charged and unfounded accusations from conservative critics in the wake of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, has taken a stalwart stand in defense of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The aftermath of the bridge incident has become a battleground for ideological disputes, with some right-wing figures attempting to link the tragedy to DEI programs.
Mayor Scott, in a recent interview on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” addressed the derisive labeling of him as the “DEI mayor,” a term that has gained traction on social media platforms. He boldly redefined “DEI” in the context of these attacks as “duly elected incumbent,” highlighting both his legitimate political standing and the implicit racism in his detractors’ rhetoric. “I know and we know and you know very well that Black men, and young Black men in particular, have been the bogeyman for those who are racist and think that only straight, wealthy white men should have a say in anything,” said Scott, emphasizing the long history of racial scapegoating.
The mayor also did not shy away from calling out the insidious subtext of the criticisms. “We know what they want to say, but they don’t have the courage to say the n-word,” Scott told host Joy Reid, asserting that his critics fear the challenge he represents to their ideology. “Because me being at my position means that their way of thinking, their way of life—being comfortable while everyone else suffers—is going to be at risk, and they should be afraid because that’s my purpose in life.”
The narrative around the bridge collapse has seen figures like Utah Rep. Phil Lyman, a GOP gubernatorial candidate, attack Maryland port commissioner Karenthia A. Barber, the first Black woman to hold the title, and suggest that DEI policies were to blame for the structural failure. “This is what happens when you have Governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens,” wrote Lyman, who later posted that “DEI=DIE.” Even though Lyman later expressed regret for his “knee-jerk reaction,” his controversial posts remain online. Other right-wing media personalities and politicians have echoed similar sentiments, demonstrating a troubling trend to politicize the tragedy and utilize it to attack DEI initiatives.
The accusations levied at Mayor Scott and DEI programs are not only unfounded but dangerously misleading. Maryland officials have insisted that there is no credible evidence that the collapse was due to anything other than a cargo ship accident, and DEI programs have no bearing on the maintenance and safety of infrastructure.
Relevant articles:
– ‘They should be afraid’: Baltimore leader called ‘DEI mayor’ stands up to right-wing, racist attacks
– Baltimore Mayor Taunts Right-Wing Trolls With Brutally Honest New ‘DEI’ Definition’, HuffPost, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 06:45:16 GMT
– Baltimore Mayor Turns the Tables on Racist Bridge Collapse Conspiracy Theorists, The Daily Beast, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:38:20 GMT
– Day after bridge collapse, Republicans are blaming Democrats, floating unfounded and sometimes racist theories, The Washington Post, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 02:25:00 GMT