Conservatives, specifically Republicans, have long championed the cause of “law and order.” They have accused progressives of being soft on crime for years while maintaining the image that Republicans are the party of “law and order.”
But COVID-19 has shown that “law and order” is a tricky thing.
In the era of coronavirus it is conservatives who are more likely to flout the rule of law – it is conservative groups who are protesting executive order, refusing to follow guidelines, and denying the authority of state and national leaders who are advising people to stay in and wear masks.
What this is revealing is the racialized and politicized nature of “law and order.” As long as “law and order” was being used to discipline already marginalized communities then it was a favorite rhetorical tenet of white voters. But now that white voters are inconvenienced “law and order” has gone by the wayside and patriotism is equivalent to anti-establishmentarianism.
So it will be interesting to see how future GOP politicians utilize “law and order” rhetoric. Will “law and order” still be a conservative calling card?
Your thoughts are always welcome.
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