Trump Jr’s ‘Skittles’ tweet is based on two different white supremacist memes—and Nazi propaganda

[babylonsister]

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/09/trump-jrs-skittles-tweet-is-based-on-two-different-white-supremacist-memes/

Trump Jr’s ‘Skittles’ tweet is based on two different white supremacist memes — and Nazi propaganda
Travis Gettys

20 Sep 2016 at 07:25 ET



Donald Trump Jr. drew widespread condemnation for comparing Syrian refugees to poisoned candy — but his analogy isn’t a new one, and it’s based on two separate white supremacist memes with roots in Nazi propaganda.

Trump — the Republican presidential candidate’s eldest son and a top campaign surrogate — tweeted the image Monday evening in an apparent response to the dumpster bombing over the weekend in New York City, which his dad inaptly linked to the refugee crisis.



“This image says it all,” reads the text. “Let’s end the politically correct agenda that doesn’t put America first. #trump2016,? accompanied by the official Donald Trump/Mike Pence campaign logo and slogan.

The analogy isn’t new, and has been used for years by white supremacists to overgeneralize about various minority groups.

“It is often deployed as a way to prop up indefensible stereotypes by taking advantage of human ignorance about base rates, risk assessment and criminology,” wrote Emil Karlsson on the blog Debunking Denialism. “In the end, it tries to divert attention from the inherent bigotry in making flawed generalizations.”

A spokeswoman for Wrigley Americas, which makes Skittles, whacked Trump’s dehumanizing comparison.

“Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don’t feel it’s an appropriate analogy,” said Denise Young, vice president of corporate affairs. “We will respectfully refrain from further commentary as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing.”


more...

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/09/trump-jrs-skittles-tweet-is-based-on-two-different-white-supremacist-memes/

[Agschmid]

1. The @MarsGlobal tweet was great.

[liberal N proud]

2. He is just reaffirming the Trump links to white supremacist

And Nazi beliefes

[anoNY42]

3. Easy answer to Herr Trump:

Just reply that the same could be said about American gun owners. Sure, the vast majority will never fire their guns in anger, but would you take a handful of gun owners if only three of them would kill you?

[lillypaddle]

17. Great point!

[Caliman73]

23. Exactly.

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw that, and I own firearms. The analogy is stupid and applicable to any group you are trying to debase.

[PJMcK]

4. Are Skittles a white supremacist meme?

Travon Martin had the candy with him when he was murdered. Racists grabbed the candy as a code word for their movement. Bigots, like Donald Trump, Jr., hear "Skittles" and they know that the message is for them.

Why haven't our media picked up on this? It's the same as the anti Semitic tweet that featured the Star of David superimposed over cash.

[bettyellen]

5. Skittles started getting used in racist dog whistles after Trayvon M was murdered... The racist meme

Used M and Ms before that.

[eShirl]

6. Little Lord Hitlerboy

[underpants]

7. So generalizing people by the "bowl" is okay but not by "basketful"'s?

Am I the only one who gets the comparison?

[eShirl]

8. good one

[Il_Coniglietto]

9. Also, the only thing refugees have in common

Is they cannot safely live in their homelands. They aren't choosing to leave because Paris or Berlin looked good on a postcard.

But Trump's supporters enthusiastically back a proud racist, misogynistic, xenophobic loudmouth with no political experience. They have CHOSEN to do so. And that choice cannot and should not go without condemnation.

[underpants]

10. Side note - when we first started hearing about the refugee crisis

I don't know your situation but basic human compassion and empathy overrides.

When I first heard of the refugees fleeing I saw it with an overwhelming feeling of empathy. Can you imagine as a parent or even as a kid putting yourself in your parents shoes saying to your family "We simply can't stay here any longer. We are leaving NOW. Grab what you have to have, we are going THAT WAY" ???

I just looked at is a triumph of human spirit - we must survive. I have to get my kid(s) out of here no matter what it takes.

Then, instantly, I see the right pounce of this with dread and fears of death not for the refuges but full out fear mongering and panic.

Jesus, what a bunch of dark hearted cruel manipulators they are. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, they convinced their believers to scream at bus loads of basically orphans (C. America) right here in our own country.

[Il_Coniglietto]

15. We are in complete agreement!

I love the America of compassion and possibility. Of open arms for all who want to live here peacefully. Being American isn't about how long your family has lived on one plot of land. It's about celebrating and honoring our differences (because why must they be seen as bad?) while cherishing our shared values.

And I see the fearful and angry who cannot and will not understand that and I pity them. They are missing out on so much of what makes us great.

[sarae]

18. Excellent point...

I'm sure it would go over Don Jr.'s head. He's as dumb as a box of rocks.

[underpants]

21. Hey he's an Exec VP at a big company

The hill school prep
Wharton

He worked for everything he's got

[uponit7771]

11. +1, posted last night and there's connection to Trayvon Martin seeing he add skittles

[packman]

12. I see an American Indian 524 years ago saying to his tribe

"If I had a bowl of berries and I said 3 of them would kill you, would you eat a handful? That's the problem with that big, wooden boat with those bearded white men."

[Xipe Totec]

13. If you had a basket of Republicans... nt

[Coyotl]

14. “Skittles are candy. Refugees are people." And Trumps are racist assholes.

There's a word for that, but it escapes me at the moment

[sarae]

19. lol!

[stevenleser]

16. Yes, anyone has studied the Third Reich recognizes the similarity to "Der Giftpilz" immediately

And Streichers virulent antisemitism was among the worst the Nazis had to offer.

To be similar to that is about as bad as it gets.

[SummerSnow]

25. yes, he was the crown prince of anti-Jewish propaganda images

[SummerSnow]

26. Oh and the sell it on Amazon. Im shocked that it is not banned

[neeksgeek]

20. If I had a basket of deplorables, and told you that any one of them might gleefully kill you...

Because of your sexual orientation, religion or skin color, would you vote for any of them?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

22. Racists see the symbolism and snicker at the trolling.

[SummerSnow]

24. disgraceful, it's no different than when the Nazis used

Anti-Semitic propaganda images. I saw a documentary a while back where the Nazis used swarms of rats and other vermin as Jews

[C_U_L8R]

27. It's candy-coated NAZI propaganda, no question.

Here's is the original NAZI version...
http://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/story2.htm

Just switch Skittles for Mushrooms and you have
Trump's retelling of deplorable NAZI propaganda.

Sickening.

[dawnie51]

28. One good thing about all this......

is that this whole election farce has exposed not just Drumpf, but his whole damned brood for what they are; racist, fascist assholes. The sons may just be nastier than the father. And the beautiful, angelic Ivanka? Just as dark and ugly, but more skilled in subterfuge and hiding it. I hope this exposure sinks them and everything they are involved in forever. What a nasty, odious family.

[C_U_L8R]

29. and another funny thing...

the dopey deplorables even printed t-shirts with "DEPLORABLE" on it.
As if being racist scum is a badge of honor. Hey at least we'll see 'em coming
if we aren't rolling on the ground laughing too hard.

[stone space]

30. I've been uncomfortable with how skittles is sometimes used here at DU, particularly by...

...pro-gun Zimmerman supporters who post here.

One example is the following post (by one of DU's open Zimmerman supporters):

WOW..

If you are waiting in line, to buy a pack of skittles, and you flee out the door because you see a person with a rifle slung over their shoulder, or a holstered firearms, you will be the one to have committed a crime.

And you would be the one prosecuted for it.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172192055#post1

The OP had nothing to do whatsoever with skittles, Martin, or Zimmerman, so I asked a question about it.

Language, gun culture, and the meaning of the word "skittles".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172192366

I found myself suddenly under attack simply for asking the question, so it must be a very sensitive topic, despite the fact that I was assured by several folks that I was just imagining things.



They claim it's not a racist dog whistle, but the fact that Trump's kid is using it now in this way would seem to indicate otherwise.

[SummerSnow]

31. When they say 'let's end the political correct agenda'

what they are really saying is " We don't like being called out for our racism"

[napkinz]

32. K&R

[fleabiscuit]

33. 88, Heil Hitler, Trump releases list of 88 generals, admirals supporting his bid... eom

[dawnie51]

34. this jerk thinks no one but the base get the joke.....

but unfortunately for him and his daddy, a whole lot of us know just what the hell he's saying. Keep it up dumbass! You're making no friends.

[Basement Beat]

35. Disgusting.

No other words needed. How can people be so vile and evil and get so much support? The human race is noticeably flawed.

[keithbvadu2]

36. Little Trump's Jewish brother in law must be so proud to be a member of the family (sarcasm)