Every politician, especially presidential candidates, understand how important the young vote is. In the upcoming election, it will be more important than ever. All of the candidates are on every form of social media for a reason: they know young people are not checking CNN, but their newsfeeds insteads. However, Republican candidate Ben Carson has taken it a step further than that — a step over the line, actually.
Carson recorded a new radio campaign ad that will play in Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Birmingham, Jackson, Memphis and Little Rock over the next several weeks. This new campaign is set to target young black voters. Not only the young vote, but the black vote, is especially important to Carson considering minority votes usually go to democratic candidates. While this plan may sound like everyday simple politics, Carson’s approach leans in the direction of a Trump tactic.
What is this $150,000 radio campaign ad? A rap. Carson’s team titled it “Freedom,” and expects it to get Carson the young black vote in urban areas.
https://soundcloud.com/abcpolitics/ben-carson-radio-ad
Yes, you read that correctly. Carson, a black individual, is using this rap ad to target young black voters. Not only is it extremely stereotypical, but completely racist and distasteful. While Trump is certainly in the lead for presidential candidates with stereotypical, racist and outdated views, Carson has recently proved he is not far behind.
Not unlike most Republican candidates, Carson opposes gay marriage, but most recently he has spoken out against transgendered individuals and how they should have special “Transgender” bathrooms. It’s going to take a lot more than a distasteful rap for Carson to connect with the current young generation.
It’s 2015. If Carson’s goal is to run this country, it’s time to get with this century. Sure rap is popular with the young crowd, but the message it sends it outdated. Carson, if you really would like to target young voters, of any race, you should probably rethink your approach.
The rap gave me a good laugh, I won’t lie, but I was certainly not laughing with Carson. Most of what he is saying is inaudible, but what you can make out is pretty comedic but not effective. I am a white female and am offended by this, so I cannot wait to hear the “young, urban, black” individuals’ feedback on this campaign.
