Proponents of critical race theories would likely perceive the use of racial "dog whistles" by Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and presidency as a concerning continuation of racialized rhetoric.
They argue that while overt forms of racism have become less socially acceptable, these subtler tactics still perpetuate and reinforce racial inequalities.
Critical race theorists emphasize how racism often adapts, employing coded language or symbols to convey racial messages without explicitly using overtly discriminatory language.
They contend that these strategies maintain racial biases and divisions while allowing deniability of outright racism.
Although some may recognize the reduced acceptance of blatant racism, they assert that employing dog whistles is a strategic method to appeal to specific segments of the population by exploiting underlying racial prejudices.
Proponents of critical race theories would highlight how these tactics perpetuate racial stereotypes, exacerbate tensions, and contribute to normalizing discriminatory attitudes and policies, albeit in a veiled manner.
In summary, critical race theorists view the use of racial dog whistles as a continuation of systemic racism, indicating that while less overt, these tactics are still influential and detrimental in shaping public discourse and policies related to race.