Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, sparked a fierce backlash online after suggesting that young black people would be safe from police brutality, “as long as they’re conservative.”
“If you are a young African-American, an immigrant, you can go anywhere in this state, you just need to be conservative not liberal,” Graham said after being asked about police brutality during a debate on Friday with Democratic contender, Jaime Harrison.
Graham said he did not believe there was systemic racism in his state, but admitted that the killing of George Floyd “was wrong.”
The senator’s comments were met with fierce criticism on social media. Check out some of the reactions below:
Lindsey Graham, facing a Black challenger: "If you're a young African American…you can go anywhere in this state, you just need to be conservative not liberal." #SCSen pic.twitter.com/5PfdIoYyJQ
— Steve Morris (@stevemorris__) October 9, 2020
Wow! A United States Senator in 2020 just told young black people they can go anywhere in SC as long as they are conservative. WTF. Is he stupid or racist?
— T Lee (@teejlee) October 10, 2020
He was so racist tonight and was blissfully unaware of it. He also said SC is not a racist state! The Civil War started here and for many here never ended! Um, Jaime Harrison went to Yale, was party Chairman, successful law and lobbyist practice, taught high school.
— KathleenFrances🇮🇪🇺🇸 (@Kathlee71013772) October 10, 2020
I wonder if SC accepts people who are Gay if they're Conservative as long as they're still hiding in the closet. Right Lady G?????
— Dot Robinson (@dottsieann21) October 10, 2020
I don't even understand what he's trying to say.
Is it that you must show signs of deferring to the Republican party line in all matters and if you give any sign of progressive beliefs you will NOT be free to go anywhere in the state?
— Richard Sarafan (@rjSarafan) October 10, 2020
"We won't lynch ya if yer a Conservative…most likely."
— Bob B🎼🎸 (@kitebro) October 10, 2020
So you will be persecuted? Penalized? So this isn't a free country? You must do what The Republican elite overlords say or you can't be treated with human decency?
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) October 10, 2020
Senator Graham needs to be reminded that it's his job to help enforce anyone's right to peaceful assembly anywhere in the country, not threaten to violate it.#Vote @harrisonjaime to help expunge Congress of white supremacists like him.https://t.co/tFCWWh4Ot3
— Monty 🇺🇸Hamilton's Battery🇺🇸 Boa (@MontyBoa99) October 10, 2020
Is he saying young black men and women can't travel or advance their careers in this state unless they think like him? This statement is careless at best. #LindseyGraham
— Jack Kuenzie (@JKuenzie) October 10, 2020
