Wednesday, "Rick & Bubba Show" co-host Rick Burgess weighed in on actor Bryan Cranston, best known for his role in "Breaking Bad," describing the "Make America Great Again" slogan coined by former President Donald Trump as a "racist remark."
"When I see the 'Make America Great Again,' my comment is, 'Do you accept that that could possibly be construed as a racist remark?'" Cranston said in a recent interview. "And most people, a lot of people go, 'How could that be racist? Make America Great Again?' I say, so just ask yourself from an African-American experience, when was it ever great in America for the African-American? When was it great? So, if you're making it great again, it's not including them."
The actor added the slogan was a reminder for people to "open up and accept the possibilities that our privilege has created blind spots for us."
According to Burgess, Cranston "doesn't understand what that sentiment actually means."
He explained, "What it means is take this country back to a strong economy, a strong military, a bastion of freedom where even African-Americans, people of color, which we have seen this happen, who took the opportunities that were afforded them even though some of those opportunities were afforded to them by some evil people of the past that brought Africans to this country against their will, but it is also true that black people in this country and their standard of living because of when America is strong, they have been able - because of their incredible talents, their business minds, educating themselves - they actually have done quite well."
"So, when you say, 'Make America Great,' if America's great, no matter how you got here, if our economy is strong, our military is strong, we're not in debt, the standard of living is through the roof, then that is good for everybody," Burgess added. "So, it's not a racist statement."
Co-host Bubba Bussey said when he hears the phrase, he hears, "I wish it was 1980 all over again."
"The greatest decade mankind has ever seen," he declared.
Burgess replied, "It has been hard, and some things have happened in the past, but to say that if the country is strong, that doesn't benefit people of color - that's just not true."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
