Candace Owens: CPAC Speech Reaction

During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Candace Owens, a conservative activist and supporter of former President Donald Trump, launched an attack against Colin Kaepernick, labeling him a "race hustler." Owens took offense to a tweet from Kaepernick on Thanksgiving Day in which he stated that "the US government has stolen over 1.5 billion acres of land from Indigenous people." Owens argued that Native Americans needed to be civilized because they were cannibals, using the same flawed reasoning as colonists from centuries ago.

She went on to criticize other prominent African American figures, including Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and Ta-Nehisi Coates (whose name she mispronounced), as well as CNN, the New York Times, and MSNBC. Owens accused them of exploiting black pain for their own benefit and obscuring the opportunities available to African Americans in America. She then threatened a "black exit," likening it to Brexit.

Owens' speech is riddled with inaccuracies and distortions. First and foremost, her claim that Native Americans were cannibals is not supported by historical evidence. In fact, such claims were often used by European colonizers to justify their conquest and subjugation of Indigenous peoples.

Additionally, her attack on prominent black figures for "extorting black pain" is baseless and unfounded. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, for example, have long histories of advocating for social justice and civil rights. Ta-Nehisi Coates is a celebrated author and journalist who has written extensively on issues of race and inequality. To suggest that these individuals are exploiting black pain for personal gain is not only false but also disrespectful to their contributions to the black community.

Overall, Owens' speech is a prime example of the dangerous rhetoric that has become increasingly prevalent in conservative circles. By distorting facts and vilifying marginalized communities, individuals like Owens only serve to further divide and polarize society.