Taken from TheRepublicansOnline.com
What is racism?
No, really, I want to know. What is it?
Over the past year, I've been confused about what it truly means to be racist in America today. This country elected the first African-American president in our history, yet we are labeled as a "racist" nation.
So, what classifies someone as "racist" in our society?
Here's the definition from dictionary.com:
Seems pretty straightforward to me. Someone should give this definition to the people who are calling me "racist."
It seems in the past few years, the definition of racism has fallen into this category:
This sounds like someone who's trying to defend themselves would say, but I do have black friends online and off. Most disagree with me, but none would say that I was "racist." So why am I being called one?
According to this new definition, I'm racist for wanting minorities to achieve their goals on their own and not rely so much on the government. I'm racist for wanting minorities to succeed without any help and on their own merits. I'm racist because I believe everyone can achieve their dream if they just work hard enough at it. I don't want to keep anyone down. I want everyone to do well, I don't want to see anyone rely on the government for any extended period of time.
From what I've seen, Republicans want to genuinely help minorities be the best they can be. It's the Democrats that use minorities as political pawns. Their goal is to keep them in the fold, while at the same distance keeping them at arm's length. If you were to listen carefully at the things that Democrats say, you can hear where the real racism comes from.
Take Janeane Garofalo's comments last week on the Tea Parties. Because she didn't see a single minority in the crowds (or just simply ignored the fact that the New York City gathering had three black speakers), she told Keith Olbermann, "This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of teabagging red necks."
Now I'll admit, at the one I went to there weren't any minorities that I saw in the time I was there. But then again I live in New Hampshire, which doesn't have a huge minority population, so seeing a lot of white faces at an event is not unusual. But Garafalo got on her high horse to tell you and me that we were racist because blacks chose not to go to the tea parties. We didn't hold a gun to them and say, "Stay home or else." But her comments themselves reek of racism, and this isn't the first time she's expressed a similar thought about race -- in February, also talking to Keith Olbermann (who didn't challenge her ridiculous notions), Garafalo had the following conversation that, to me, just screams both racism AND sexism from the rooftops.
But according to the new definition of racism, this is not racist because Garafalo is not conservative, but we are because we dare to criticize President Obama's administration.
Obama's former pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright has said some things in his sermon that just call racism to the rooftops. But the left wouldn't denounce him. According to the new definition, Wright isn't racist because he is not white.
Commissioner John Wiley Price of Dallas got offended when a colleague used the term "black hole" to refer to how paperwork has become lost in the office. Same guy claimed that "black sheep" was racist as well as "angel's food cake" and "devil's food cake." This falls completely in line with the new definition of racism.
So with all this, where do I fall in this? Am I racist or not? I don't hate anyone, and some of my closest friends are different from me in any number of ways. But according to what people tell me, just by my very skin color and political beliefs, I'm a racist.
But what do I think? The people who dare to call me racist are racist themselves. They assume that minorities want "handouts." By victimizing them, they are keeping them down. And that, to me, is the true definition of racism.
No, really, I want to know. What is it?
Over the past year, I've been confused about what it truly means to be racist in America today. This country elected the first African-American president in our history, yet we are labeled as a "racist" nation.
So, what classifies someone as "racist" in our society?
Here's the definition from dictionary.com:
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Seems pretty straightforward to me. Someone should give this definition to the people who are calling me "racist."
It seems in the past few years, the definition of racism has fallen into this category:
1. Someone who is a Conservative
2. Someone who disagrees with a minority on any issue
3. Any word that uses the color word "black" in it.
4. Someone who is white
5. Any one who would dare criticize Barack Obama
This sounds like someone who's trying to defend themselves would say, but I do have black friends online and off. Most disagree with me, but none would say that I was "racist." So why am I being called one?
According to this new definition, I'm racist for wanting minorities to achieve their goals on their own and not rely so much on the government. I'm racist for wanting minorities to succeed without any help and on their own merits. I'm racist because I believe everyone can achieve their dream if they just work hard enough at it. I don't want to keep anyone down. I want everyone to do well, I don't want to see anyone rely on the government for any extended period of time.
From what I've seen, Republicans want to genuinely help minorities be the best they can be. It's the Democrats that use minorities as political pawns. Their goal is to keep them in the fold, while at the same distance keeping them at arm's length. If you were to listen carefully at the things that Democrats say, you can hear where the real racism comes from.
Take Janeane Garofalo's comments last week on the Tea Parties. Because she didn't see a single minority in the crowds (or just simply ignored the fact that the New York City gathering had three black speakers), she told Keith Olbermann, "This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of teabagging red necks."
Now I'll admit, at the one I went to there weren't any minorities that I saw in the time I was there. But then again I live in New Hampshire, which doesn't have a huge minority population, so seeing a lot of white faces at an event is not unusual. But Garafalo got on her high horse to tell you and me that we were racist because blacks chose not to go to the tea parties. We didn't hold a gun to them and say, "Stay home or else." But her comments themselves reek of racism, and this isn't the first time she's expressed a similar thought about race -- in February, also talking to Keith Olbermann (who didn't challenge her ridiculous notions), Garafalo had the following conversation that, to me, just screams both racism AND sexism from the rooftops.
JANEANE GAROFALO: But the type of female that does like Rush is the same type of woman that falls in love with prisoners. [KEITH OLBERMANN LAUGHS] You know what I mean? They – like Richard Ramirez or Squeaky Fromme is a good example. I think Charles Manson’s – Eva Braun, Hitler’s girlfriend. That is exactly the type of woman that responds really well to Rush. And there will be some Eva Brauns, Squeaky Frommes out there that will respond really well to this cattle call right now.Isn't this conversation racist? Isn't Garafolo suggesting that all blacks must think the same way? Maybe the reason why there aren't as many minorities in the Republican party or in the conservative movement is because the Democrats don't want to let any go.
************
GAROFALO, REFERRING TO DARYN KAGAN: She dated him, so either she suffers from Stockholm Syndrome – a lot like Michael Steele, who’s the black guy in the Republican party who suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, which means you try and curry favor with the oppressor.OLBERMANN: Yes, you talk about self-loathing.
GAROFALO: Yeah, and there’s, any female or person of color in the Republican party is struggling with Stockholm Syndrome.
But according to the new definition of racism, this is not racist because Garafalo is not conservative, but we are because we dare to criticize President Obama's administration.
Obama's former pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright has said some things in his sermon that just call racism to the rooftops. But the left wouldn't denounce him. According to the new definition, Wright isn't racist because he is not white.
Commissioner John Wiley Price of Dallas got offended when a colleague used the term "black hole" to refer to how paperwork has become lost in the office. Same guy claimed that "black sheep" was racist as well as "angel's food cake" and "devil's food cake." This falls completely in line with the new definition of racism.
So with all this, where do I fall in this? Am I racist or not? I don't hate anyone, and some of my closest friends are different from me in any number of ways. But according to what people tell me, just by my very skin color and political beliefs, I'm a racist.
But what do I think? The people who dare to call me racist are racist themselves. They assume that minorities want "handouts." By victimizing them, they are keeping them down. And that, to me, is the true definition of racism.
5 comments:
The issue of race in America is very complex, full of absurdities and misunderstandings on every side.
I've known you for years and I know that you're not a racist. You're not a hater. You actually have a very egalitarian and thoughtful mindset, but there may be nuances to this issue that you aren't seeing.
I always thought of myself as really educated and groovy about racial issues, but when I married my husband (who is black) I learned how ignorant I was, and still am. There are dozens of stories I could tell you that would make your hair stand on end. But this is just one: my husband is a highly trained computer geek who also has excellent people and professional skills and a work ethic that makes me tired just thinking about it. Yet in the decade I've known him, he has never gotten a job without a phone interview first. He doesn't talk in a stereotypically "black" way and we have an Irish surname, so people can't tell that he's black over the phone. Once people hear how smart he is, they hire him in an instant. But if his skin color is their first impression, they don't. It has never happened, ever. And this is in the supposedly open-minded Northeast. The people hiring at these companies would probably all tell you that they're not racist either. Most of them genuinely believe that. But people (myself included, everyone included) work from a subconscious set of assumptions that often they're not even aware of.
My husband has done, and will do, fine. He's extraordinary. But what about the experience of the average person of color, someone without the gifts and skills that my husband has? Can you see how it might be harder in many situations for an average person of color to get by than it would for your average white person? This and many other factors make it harder for people of color to be upwardly mobile, "handouts" or not.
Look at the way you and I grew up. Nobody would confuse our families with the Trumps, but we had computers and, thus computer skills early on. That ensured that computer jobs were available to us without extra education or effort. My dad had no higher education, but someone was willing to give him a chance, and he ran with it. I'm sure you know plenty of people who have done the same. Nobody can get anywhere unless someone will give them a chance, and if you are a minority in this country, you often start from a different place in life (say, without a computer in the home) because maybe no one gave your parents a chance. Then it's much harder to get a chance yourself. Any minority will tell you this gladly, but if they talk about it too much they might be accused of whining or making excuses or asking for a "handout." I think it's fair to say that, white, black, or in-between, most people want to get ahead on their own merits.
The sad truth is that we live in a country built on handouts, the recent bank bailouts being the perfect example. Rich people get most of them. Maybe we shouldn't be a handout kind of country. I'm certainly open to changing that!
But whatever changes we make, they need to be fair. What fairness truly is, unfortunately, is a very difficult question. But a good first step is looking at the playing field and realizing that it is just not as level as it might seem to some of us.
Sorry for the long response but I hope there is some insight here for you and that it contributes usefully to the debate!
Well, my point wasn't whether or not it existed. My point, really, was that we need to get past the labels if we are to go forward in this country and we shouldn't be afraid to express our opinion in a debate if the person you are disagreeing with happens to be someone of a different race. Like right now, the term "racism" is said so casually if you happen to disagree with President Obama's policies that it loses all meaning after awhile.
And I think what Garafalo said last week and in February can be considered racist (and sexist) because she expects blacks and women to all think and act the same way just because of their gender or the color of their skin.
I also want to add is that, to me, invoking "racism" is like invoking "Hitler" in a debate -- it just negates any point you have to make.
Janeane Garofalo is just an ugly person to me; I am not a fan.
I think everyone would love to move past labels. But in a racist society, how can one deny that part of reality? We have to change at the core or otherwise the same old problems will keep coming back.
Most people have a hard time putting themselves into other people's shoes. I'm not sure we're there as a species, on an evolutionary level. It makes me sad to admit that, but we have to keep trying.
Yeah, but imagine this argument (this basically works with anything -- racism, sexism, homophobic, etc.). And I've basically had this happen to me.
"You believe in lower taxes? You're a racist!"
"You don't believe women are victims? You're a sexist!" (Or in my case, "You want to be a man!" -- had that happen to me).
"You believe that it should be up to the people of the individual states to determine whether people want gay marriage? You're a homophobe!"
The namecalling is just getting old.
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