(Ezekiel Loseke, Headline USA) Marvin Dunn, professor emeritus of psychology at Florida International University and author of several books on alleged black history, accused Casey DeSantis — the wife of GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — of being a racist because she wore a jacket with an alligator on it.
“Black babies as alligator bait was a theme in racist Florida humor of the early 1900s. It’s an inside joke,” Dunn claimed with no evidence. “If you are not from Florida, you may not get it. She does. Do you?”
Casey DeSantis Florida's First Lady makes a racist fashion statement. Black babies as alligator bait was a theme in racist Florida humor of the early 1900s. It's an inside joke. If you are not from Florida, you may not get it. She does. Do you? pic.twitter.com/mOxp2wadqG
— Dr. Marvin Dunn (@MarvinDunn4) June 6, 2023
Twitter added context to the misleading tweet.
“Alligators are a prominent feature in Florida and are featured in myriad ways, none of which are explicitly racist,” the additional context read. “According to a prominent Florida tourism website, ‘Alligators and crocodiles are the Sunshine State’s most iconic animals.'”
Some Twitter users also found the claim to be absurd, with one simply asking “Where on Casey DeSantis’ jacket is the gator eating a baby, black, white or otherwise?” she asked. “Y’all Democrats be seeing stuff.”
Joe Momma, a pro-DeSantis anonymous account, responded with a sardonic, “Wow Florida is known for its gators. This is really a stretch. Is Lacoste racist also?”
Wow
Florida is known for its gators
This is really a stretch
Is Lacoste racist also? 🤣🤣
Keep it up this is exactly the reaction that validates the danger ppl like u pose in our society— JoeMomma (@JoeMommalikedit) June 7, 2023
“I’ve been to FL a few times. Images of gators r everywhere; pennants, t shirts etc. Major sports teams are named Gators,” wrote another commentator, referring to the University of Florida’s mascot, the Gators. “Are they all being racist?”
Another Twitter user, Tom, summarized the twitter backlash well.
“Let’s just state the obvious,” he tweeted. “This is stupid. If this is your evidence that someone is racist, you have no evidence they are racist.”
Twitchy suggested that its readers take a nap, because “in this story, we reached, stretched, and grasped at straws,” and are worn out by Dunn’s absurdist logic.
