The iconic actor Samuel L. Jackson started calling Justice Thomas “Uncle Clarence” (yes, a play on Uncle Tom) years ago. Perhaps he might also start referring to South Carolina Senator Tim Scott as “Uncle Tim?” Scott we know sold his soul to Trump even before he groveled to become Trump’s VP pick. But Scott has at times actually tried to help the GOP make inroads with blacks and other minorities. He even had a pet project, for minority business owners at least. But Scott hasn’t uttered a peep these past couple of weeks as the thing has been DISMANTLED!
Trump has, with Musk’s and other’s help flooded the zone with so much toxic sh*t I missed any news that maybe was noted when it all went down. Not to worry, thanks to this article from Raw Story I now know the Trump administration has SLASHED Scott’s pet project. We all know various programs have been created to help minority owned businesses. It turns out the Commerce Department had one called the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), but what matters for this discussion is that Scott was a big fan. “Was” being the operative word. Despite being Chair of the Senate Banking Committee Scott apparently couldn’t be bothered to lift a finger when the MBDA was gutted recently. And, as I mentioned already he hasn’t said jack about it! Still, that’s what’s happened:
Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) used to boost the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which was under the direction of the Commerce Department.
But, according to the news outlet, not only has President Donald Trump’s administration dismantled MBDA “in a matter of weeks,” the Senator has been completely silent on the issue.
This is a program that dates all the way back to the Nixon administration. Another smallish program targeted to meet a specific need and successful enough to keep going all these decades. If Scott was a ‘Johnny Come Lately’ to touting it at least he chose something worth promoting. But anti-DEI is the name of the game now and Scott KNOWS he’s a token so he’s stayed the hell out of this. Starting a few weeks ago 100% of the agencies fifty staff members were either placed on administrative leave or reassigned to other jobs at Commerce. Technically it still exists. With three employees – a deputy secretary, an acting under secretary, and a DOGE employee. Even that won’t last. Rather than risk yet another court fight about eliminating something only Congress can cut, the time is coming (soon) when it will just be one or two “administrators. A couple of lightweights with connections who need a nice paycheck will be there as political favors bestowed by Trump.
Tim Scott had such big dreams. He has been useful as hell to the GOP who knows a show pony when they see one. A conservative black guy who is popular enough at home to have a SAFE Senate seat in Ruby Red (and still racist) South Carolina. When vying to become Trump’s VP he might have thought he was destined for more but clearly he’s returned to the realization of what his role is. A “token.” A ‘See? SEE? look at our BLACK guy!”
It reminds me of Stephen, the vile character played by Samuel L. Jackson in Django. Stephen did the same job, running the house (and plantation) his father and grandad and great grand etc. did. Just like the house servants. These people were slaves, but they were born to circumstances that meant they’d never get the kind of treatment slaves NOT assigned to the “Main House” got. In Stephen’s case he was actually smarter than his Master, Calvin Candie. Just like Tim Scott is smarter than his Master Donald Trump. However, within the boundaries of the infamous Candie Land plantation Stephen is the real overseer and all but Calvin Candie himself knows it.
Stephen is smarter and more capable (despite being so despicable) than most white men but he knows his power is limited to that plantation. Step over the boundary line into the surrounding area and he’s just another n****r. Same with Scott and the GOP. If he plays his “role”, the “proud” black guy who fervently champions conservative dogma he’s got special status. But if Stephen were to ever have say SLAPPED Calvin Candie across the face in front of a bunch of rich plantation owners he’d have been “snipped and clipped” (his genitals cut off – usually fatal) in a heartbeat.
If Scott were to proverbially slap Trump, by say speaking up for the MBDA saying it by golly was a good program then politically he’d face the same fate. He knows it. He KNOWS it! Hence his sitting quietly by why a program I think he truly believes is worthwhile, and if bolstered would HELP the GOP make inroads with minorities if they’d market it is the path he’s chosen. Go along to get along. That’s putting it nicely. Others are more harsh:
“They are watching this happen, and they are doing nothing. That’s cowardice. And it cuts especially deep when the people you once believed were your champions turn their backs in silence,” one of the two Commerce Department employees told the outlet.
I hope political operatives will file this away. Rather than act in a manner worth of a Profile In Courage award Scott has slinked away to the land of cowards. Maybe the time will come when his walk of shame can make the difference and cost him his Senate seat. In any case, this has flown under the radar but I like trying to let people know that for all the big stuff in the news, there are lots of important things that take place that get little notice. Major outlets barely mention it but people who come to places like Politizoom get not only the story but, I at least hope a reason why they should make sure to remember this kind of thing. If you’ve given me the courtesy of reading this then I thank you. And ask you to keep looking for news beyond the big headline stuff.
****** Zoomers, we would happily accept a small donation to defray expenses as we trek through cyberspace. It’s going to get a lot crazier, that much we can guarantee you. Thanks. Ursula ******
‘Profiles In Cowardice’ is going to make a great book title to describe the actions of the Trump regime.