Issac Bailey's ridiculous argument that Mark Robinson lost his gubernatorial race because he "forgot" he was Black and tried to emulate Donald Trump falls apart when we examine the facts. Bailey implies that Robinson was used as a token figure by his supporters, but this narrative is increasingly difficult to sustain given the major demographic shifts happening in American politics. In the 2024 election, Donald Trump secured nearly 30% of the Black male vote, a historic high that demonstrates the growing appeal of the GOP among Black voters. The traditional “Uncle Tom” smear—that any Black individual who supports conservative values is betraying their community—becomes harder to push when nearly a third of Black men are voting Republican.
The reality is that identity politics and racial shaming have been wielded far too often by Democrats to suppress diversity of thought within the Black community. Consider when Joe Biden infamously declared, “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t Black.” Such statements clearly aim to coerce Black voters into conformity rather than celebrate their political agency. Another glaring example of this shaming tactic is the harsh backlash faced by Senator Tim Scott, who has been dismissed as a pawn by media figures for simply promoting conservative views. These instances show that it is the left that seeks to gatekeep what it means to be Black in America.
Bailey also glosses over how Trump’s support among minority voters, including Hispanic and Black Americans, shattered long-standing political assumptions. In fact, in addition to the 30% of Black men who backed Trump, a record number of non-white voters overall—33%—chose the Republican ticket. If Republicans are broadening their appeal, who, then, are the real sellouts? Is it the Black conservatives who seek economic opportunity and freedom, or is it those who continue to push an outdated narrative that limits political diversity in minority communities?
The establishment forces, including North Carolina's GOP elites and Democrats, opposed Mark Robinson because he couldn’t be controlled. The idea that he lost purely due to racial dynamics is not only simplistic but also condescending, ignoring how identity politics has been manipulated to enforce loyalty among minority voters. When we see this level of voter realignment, we have to ask: Who are the real sellouts now?
