Professor Critiques Texas Republicans on MSNBC
During a segment on MSNBC Wednesday, Princeton University professor Eddie Glaude Jr. voiced strong accusations against Texas Republicans, labeling their actions as part of a “racist agenda” influenced by former President Donald Trump.
In Texas, the House recently passed a new congressional map as Democrats returned to the state. This shift comes after attempts by some legislators to block special sessions aimed at creating a rezoning plan that could potentially give Republicans an advantage, with up to five extra seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Glaude noted that this process mirrored Trump’s efforts to contest the 2020 election results in Georgia.
“It’s reminiscent of past struggles and reflects the crisis we’re currently facing,” Glaude explained. “We can’t separate what’s happening in Texas from Trump’s push for five new seats, which undermines the democratic principles that are crucial right now. This situation could effectively disenfranchise Black and Brown voters and chip away at the civil rights movement’s legal framework.”
“Consider this: there are 4.3 million Black individuals in Texas, the largest population of any state or country,” Glaude continued. “Just examine the district map. How are they supposed to make their voices heard? It’s imperative to recognize that actions perceived as part of Trump’s racist agenda extend beyond Texas, impacting the entire nation through gerrymandering.”
In the 2024 elections, Trump managed to capture 46% of Hispanic votes, along with 40% of Asian votes and 13% of Black votes, according to CNN’s exit polls. In comparison, in 2020, he received 32% of Hispanic votes, 34% of Asian votes, and 12% of Black votes. Back in 2016, he only garnered 28% of Hispanic votes, 27% of Asian votes, and 8% of Black votes. Notably, Trump has seen significant support in southern Texas, where moderate Hispanic Democrats have been holding seats.
Glaude added that the new maps are designed to dilute the voting power of certain communities while enhancing the power of others. For instance, he pointed out that Trump won Texas with a 56-42% margin over Harris, and under the new maps, the proportion of voters supporting Trump in that district is projected to rise to 79%. “What’s the real vision of a democracy here?” he questioned.
“Absolutely not. We are witnessing a continual dismantling of our democratic foundations,” Glaude stated emphatically. “It’s essential we sound the alarm. We can’t ignore these actions; we need to realize the precise intentions behind them, particularly in Texas.”
Former Democratic Representative Jamal Bowman mentioned that the stress from dealing with racism has led to health issues among Black populations, citing conditions like cancer and diabetes, during a discussion on CNN in June concerning the Texas rezoning efforts.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder and former Texas Democrat Beto O’Rourke expressed concerns that Trump could leverage his support in Texas to pursue a third term, despite being ineligible due to the 22nd amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.
