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Summary:
This episode/post examines Laura Loomer’s horrifying calls to “feed illegals to the gators” and how this intersects with Florida’s celebration of “Alligator Alcatraz.” We unpack the deeply racist history of “alligator bait” — a term used to dehumanize Black children from the 1800s through the 1920s, often accompanied by postcards, songs, and propaganda. We trace how these images of feeding people to animals were historically used to terrorize and subjugate, and how reviving them today is no coincidence.
Key Talking Points:
Historical context of “alligator bait” as a racial slur and terror tactic
Documented use of Black babies and children as alleged bait for alligators in the early 20th century
Florida’s 2020 ban on “gator bait” chants because of the known racist roots
Laura Loomer’s tweets calling for violence against migrants, echoing this same tradition
Why these signals are not accidental, and how they legitimize dehumanization and violence
How Prospect Theory of Hate explains this — the desperate willingness to harm to avoid status loss
A challenge for listeners/readers: Where else are these metaphors appearing, and how do we resist them?
Reflection Question:
What do you think happens to a society that allows hate-soaked jokes about feeding people to animals to stand unchallenged?
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