ADVERTISEMENT

Good News: Saying 'Take Our Country Back' Isn't Problematic Anymore

May 3, 2019

For years, the Right's use of the phrase "take our country back" or "take back America" was considered a racist dog whistle by segments of the American Left, including former Attorney General Eric Holder.

However, former Vice President Joe Biden has used variations of the expression on the campaign trail since entering the 2020 race, in addition to using it during the 2018 midterm cycle and even in 2014. Fellow presidential candidates like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Rep. Tim Ryan (D., Ohio), as well as 2016 candidate Hillary Clinton, have also spoken about a progressive agenda to "take back our country" from Republican forces.

It's possible, then, that Tea Party Republicans and the like who used that expression since 2010 were speaking ideologically as well, not that they were going to get that benefit of the doubt.

Published under: 2020 Election , Joe Biden