Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is playing the role of victim after making a racist comment. Hyde-Smith was captured speaking on video telling one of her supporters, “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.”
The video eventually went viral and revealed the insensitive nature of Hyde-Smith, who is an avid Trump-supporter. Mississippi has a horrific history of lynching Black people. From 1882 to 1968, Mississippi led the nation in lynchings with 581.
Hyde-Smith’s opponent, Democrat Mick Espy, is Black.
Following her comments, Hyde-Smith faced backlash and was denounced by several of her supporters. Walmart asked for Hyde-Smith to return $4,000 in campaign donations.
Before a debate with Espy on Nov. 20, 2018, Hyde-Smith apologized. “For anyone who was offended by my comments, I certainly apologize. There was no ill will, no intent whatsoever in my statements,” she said.
However, Hyde-Smith played the role of victim moments later, adding, “I also recognize that this comment was twisted and was turned into a weapon to be used against me, a political weapon used for nothing but personal and political gain by my opponent. That’s the kind of politics Mississippians are sick and tired of.”
Espy fired back at Hyde-Smith by saying, “No one twisted it. It came out of your mouth. It has caused our state harm. It has rejuvenated stereotypes that we don’t need.”
If victorious, Espy would become the first Black senator from Mississippi since Reconstruction.
