When it comes to appeasing certain victim groups, it’s truly a no-win situation.  This Donald Trump learned in an innocent attempt to make a nod to the Hispanic community – eating a taco bowl on Cinco de Mayo and tweeting out the picture.  This was dubbed by Jezebel as the “Taco Bowl Peace Gesture,” proving they too have a sense of humor.  And wouldn’t you know it?  The Donald is drawing criticism from all quarters.

From the Hispanic media, we hear, “¿Qué Diablo es eso?,” which translates approximately to “What the Devil is that?”  This sums up the exasperation over at Univision.  Other Hispanics impudently asked, “Can we make the taco bowl president instead of Trump?”  This is perhaps the mirror image of many who have suggested that Trump/Wall would be the best ticket for 2016.

Reince Priebus, who has reconciled himself to the reality of Trump as nominee, defended the tweet to a Politico reporter: “He’s trying.”  How dare you condescend to Mr. Trump, sir?  This was met with laughter and derision by the liberal audience, who knows well the rule that you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.  Republicans are to be openly scorned should they attempt to ingratiate themselves to minorities.  And so you see, Trump is not allowed to try to establish any rapport with special victim groups; only their cultural Marxist advocates are allowed that privilege.  And yet one has to wonder if this little game will work with our new standard-bearer...

The Guardian refers to the photo as “blatant pandering.”  We don’t have to get into a tit-for-tat and point out instances of Democrats pandering also; rather, as the Guardian points out, “[t]hese tricks are an unfortunate part of the electoral process now.”  The Guardian admits it, and we begrudge it, but we all accept it: in multiracial societies, politics becomes a matter of doling out the spoils to competing tribes. 

What I like about Trump’s efforts in this direction is that they are so frank.  The Guardian decries this lack of subtlety, yet I find it refreshing.  It’s almost as if even Trump’s pandering is meant to be slightly offensive, slightly trolling.  He can’t be bothered to be subtle; he doesn’t have the time or inclination.  His smile in the picture can be interpreted as friendly, or it can be that smirk he gets when he knows he’s done something provocative and naughty.

Ever the marketing genius, perhaps Trump envisioned that this would happen: sales of taco bowls have soared, according to the head chef at Trump Tower.  But no, this presidential run is not designed to run up the sales of Mexican food in Trump Tower.  This was a move to show his solidarity with Mexican-Americans.  And what came of it?  Ridicule.  I have noticed this phenomenon.  To repeat: you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t when you venture onto the politically correct territory of pleasing special victim groups.  If you ignore their wants, they scorn you; if you court their favor, they deride you.  Would you prefer to be scorned or derided?  This is the treatment we are now afforded in our own country.

It’s like when Joe Biden praised President Obama for being “clean and articulate” and then was castigated for it.  You try to say something nice, and then you’re the bad guy.  This is part of the effort to morally disarm us to the point where on certain subjects you are advised to literally say nothing and cede the field to the most extreme advocates of multiculturalism.  What’s worse is that conservatives also jump on this bandwagon and were quick to pile on Biden for his “gaffe,” to give just one example.  Because “Democrats are the real racists,” don’t you know?   

As to whether Hispanics and blacks are actually offended by this kind of thing, I am skeptical.  But the degree to which they are offended, I would suggest, is only the result of having been conditioned by the media/educational complex to be offended.  It’s as though there is a new and complex way to pander to different groups for their votes without being seen as doing any such thing.  Ultimately, the rules seem to be that when a Democrat engages in pandering, we don’t take note; when a Republican attempts to do so, it becomes an embarrassing public spectacle.

I’m capable of holding two somewhat contradictory ideas in my head at the same time.  In his tweet, Trump followed up his praise of his taco bowl with the declaration, “I love Hispanics.”  If Trump says he loves Hispanics, I take him at his word.  It’s possible to hold this sentiment, while also adamantly wanting to build a wall on our southern border.  I’m sure taco bowls would still be available.

Contact Malcolm Unwell.