Conservative activist CJ Pearson has sparked controversy by accusing White liberals of fearing they are losing control over Black Americans, following a viral incident in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. The controversy centers on a protest sign that compared transgender bathroom policies to segregated water fountains, a reference to the state’s history of racial segregation. Pearson, who is co-chair of the GOP Youth Advisory, criticized White liberals for their alleged racism, stating that their political grip on the Black community is at risk as more people question Democratic leadership.
The sign, displayed by a White woman at a protest outside an Arlington County school board meeting, was widely shared on social media and criticized for its racial undertones. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor, is Black, adding to the controversy. Pearson argued that the Left’s racism is being cultivated by a political elite in Washington, D.C., and accused Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger of having a weak response to the sign, suggesting her actions were strategically timed to avoid backlash from her consultants.
Earle-Sears, who faces potential loss of federal funding due to her stance on transgender bathroom policies, defended the sign’s context but acknowledged its problematic implications. Spanberger, a Democratic candidate, condemned the sign as racist and abhorrent, referencing Virginia’s segregated past. However, Pearson criticized her response as insincere, arguing that Spanberger’s actions were influenced by her political advisors rather than genuine concern for the issue. The incident has highlighted deepening tensions between different political groups in Virginia and their views on race, policy, and leadership.