America the Verb: Tim Wise on Race, Politics, and Power

Navigating Race, Politics, and Cultural Competency: A Hard Knock Radio Conversation with Tim Wise

On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with Tim Wise, an anti-racist educator and author, to unravel the complexities of race and politics in the U.S. The discussion explored topics from electoral outcomes to the role of cultural engagement in shaping political views. With decades of experience addressing systemic racism, Wise offered keen insights into the realities of the MAGA movement, media influence, and the dangers of political strategies that overlook cultural competence.

Tim Wise on the Resurgence of Reactionary Politics

Asked about his response to recent election results, Wise noted that while the close race surprised him, he was not shocked by the renewed prominence of reactionary figures like Donald Trump. “I’m never shocked when America the noun decides to America the verb,” he said, reflecting on a pattern he sees as deeply embedded in the nation’s identity. Wise compared the Obama years to a Broadway intermission, where Trump’s return represents a continuation of a recurring political narrative centered around reactionary white masculinity.

The MAGA Movement: Racism and Misogyny as Central Forces

A central theme was the ideological backbone of MAGA politics, which Wise characterized as rooted in both racism and misogyny. While many factors drive this movement, Wise argued, “the yeast that has always made the MAGA bread rise is racism and misogyny.” He explained that while Trump’s appeal extends beyond these elements, they remain integral to his support base. “Without the yeast, it’s not bread; it’s a cracker,” Wise quipped.

The discussion also touched on how MAGA has gained support from various racial and ethnic groups, despite its reactionary nature. Wise highlighted the paradox of Latino and Asian-American communities increasingly aligning with Trump. He noted a longstanding pattern of immigrant groups trying to “get closer to the top than the bottom” as a form of social preservation.

Media and Cultural Competency: A Missed Opportunity for Democrats

Wise emphasized the Democratic Party’s struggles with media outreach, noting that Republicans have effectively harnessed podcasts, live streams, and social media to build support, particularly among younger voters. In contrast, Democrats rely on traditional outlets like The New York Times and CNN, which, Wise argues, fail to resonate with critical audiences. “If you go on those venues, it’s nonstop male grievance, misogyny, casual racism, and conspiracy theories…that’s what plays,” Wise said, pointing out Trump’s success in these spaces. Wise urged Democrats to not only enter these media spaces but to confront the grievances directly, particularly around racism and misogyny.

Understanding Whiteness as a Shapeshifting Political Project

Wise also discussed “whiteness” as a dynamic political construct that adapts to maintain power. Rather than a fixed racial identity, whiteness in America has historically been defined to include certain groups, particularly lighter-skinned Latino and Asian individuals, to preserve political dominance. Wise illustrated this with the example of Nick Fuentes, a prominent neo-Nazi of Latino descent, who has found acceptance in a white supremacist framework as part of whiteness as a political project.

The Democrats’ Challenge: The Need for Cultural Competency

In his closing remarks, Wise stressed the importance of cultural competency for progressives, particularly when reaching working-class voters. He noted the left’s tendency to dismiss popular culture or sports, which alienates potential allies and reinforces class divides. “If you can’t speak to people…you will never be relevant in this country,” he warned, advocating for genuine connection with the issues and interests that matter to everyday people.

The conversation underscored the need for authenticity, cultural awareness, and direct engagement with systemic power structures. As Wise concluded, “People keep asking me what we’re going to do…we organize, we fight. We have to keep moving the ball forward.”

To follow more of Tim Wise’s work, you can visit the African American Policy Forum at aapf.org.