In light of the recent tragedies in Baton Rogue, Falcon Heights, and Dallas, it seems that every politician in the country has had something to say about race. Some comments have been positive and constructive, and, predictably, some have been counterproductive and shockingly insensitive. But few have been as unique and conversation changing as the statements made by Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
Scott is one of two black men currently serving in the U.S. Senate, and the only black Republican in the body. Of black congressmen currently serving on the Hill, the vast majority are Democrats from the south.
The Senator took to the floor last night to share some of his experiences with law enforcement as a black man. Starting with when he was just starting to drive and going all the way through his current interactions with police as a U.S. Senator, Scott’s stories showed the systematic disadvantage he has because of the color of his skin.
He had many positive things to say about law enforcement; this was no BLM-police-bash fest. Rather, it was an honest examination of the state of race relations and disparity in the United States today.
“In many cities and towns across the nation, there’s a deep divide between the black community and law enforcement. A trust gap. A tension that has been growing for decades. And as a family, one American family, we cannot ignore these issues,” Scott said.
Perhaps the most shocking part of Scott’s speech was his revelation that he has been pulled over seven times in one year as a member of the U.S. Senate. The most shocking of these stories is when a member of capitol security insinuated that Scott had stolen his senate pin — and was therefore criminally impersonating a U.S. Senator — simply because he did not recognize him. He has also, thankfully, gotten at least three phone calls as a U.S. Senator from law enforcement supervisors apologizing for certain officers’ behavior.
Sadly, Scott is not alone. Stories of being pulled over for driving a nice car or followed around a store by cops are all-too-common among black men “no matter their profession, no matter their income, no matter their disposition in life,” Scott says.
The speech was impressive and, let’s be honest, politically brave. What does Scott have to gain — from a political standpoint — from giving a speech like this? The sad answer is not much.
Polling data from various studies indicates that close to 90 percent of African-Americans vote for the Democratic Party in political contests. Most support for the GOP tends to come from older, whiter voters who are more likely to identify with the #BlueLivesMatter movement based on their experiences rather than with anything Scott said.
But the South Carolina Senator had some words for these people, too.
“Recognize that just because you do not feel the pain, the anguish of another, does not mean it does not exist.”
As sad as it might be, it might take a black man having an “R” by his name to get most of white America to take these problems seriously. But Tim Scott should be applauded for speaking the truth, regardless of what his base wants to hear.
Tim Scott is a beautiful testament to how far we have come in this country, but a humbling reminder of how far we still have to go. If a black man can accrue such success as to become a member of the highest deliberative body in this country and still have his integrity questioned by law enforcement on a consistent basis, that is a problem. Hopefully, Mr. Scott’s base and GOP voters will see it as one, too.
Scott’s full speech can be seen below.
