Exclusive: Lee Atwater's Infamous 1981 Interview on the Southern Strategy
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters cite it as a primary source for the Southern Strategy and coded racial language, in Atwater's own words.
What it is
A short audio clip of a 1981 interview in which Republican strategist Lee Atwater explains to a political scientist how the party could win racist voters without using overtly racist language. It was published by The Nation with analysis by Rick Perlstein.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2017 to 2022.
What Hacker News said
Cites pdkl95 · 2017-10 · on “‘Daily Stormer’ Termination Haunts Cloudflare in Online Piracy Case”
> it's not hard to tell when someone is trying to slip the N-word Coded language like "states rights"[1][2] sill slips by a lot of people today. [1] [LINK] [2] [this video]
Cites scarface74 · 2018-02 · on “Like Peter Thiel, Tech Workers Feel Alienated by Silicon Valley ‘Echo Chamber’”
Yes and after Lyndon Johnson - a Democrat signed the civil rights act, the south turned against the Democratic Party. But here is the southern Strategy in Lee Atwater’s own words. [this video] And you have heard of Strom Thurman haven’t you?
Cites softcactus · 2022-07 · on “What I learned trying to classify abortion access across the rich world”
> Lol I enjoy how often people on HN descend to personal attacks as opposed to discussion on the merits. Not a personal attack, it was just an observation. > You realize this was a democratic rallying cry until the 60s? Democrats were the ones trying to limit who votes, hanging, and burning towns. I don't like the Democratic party either, but this ignores the party switch that occurred during the Nixon election. If you want to learn more about the Southern Strategy look up Barry Goldwater and Republican campaign strategist Lee Atwater. "States Rights" has traditionally been the rallying cry of racist regressives, regardless of party affiliation. > I encourage you to read source material. Wha