I read an interesting column about race the other day. It was by Charles M. Blow of the New York Times who was writing about what he called “the murky waters of racism” in America.
First he mentioned the now well-known Jimmy Carter quotation, about how “an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man.”
That, Mr. Blow said, “was an overstatement of the role of race.”
Then he quoted Michael Steele, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee who said that, “President Carter is flat-out wrong. This isn’t about race. It is about policy.”
That, the op-ed columnist concluded, “was an underrepresentation of the role of race.”
Then on to his main point: “But that’s where we are with race in this country: exaggerations and blanket denials. Race has become a vicious game of bludgeons and crutches, where acerbic accusers run roughshod over earnest egalitarians and political gain is sought even at the expense of enlightenment.”
Are there racists in this country? Of course. Some white, and even though you’re not supposed to say it in polite company, some black. In a country of more than 300 million people this should surprise no one. But there was one section of the column that focused my attention. It was a reference to a 2003 study by Rice University researchers that was used by Charles Blow to try to figure out what role, if any, racism plays in the current opposition of President Obama.
“One of the greatest challenges facing black leaders is aversive racism,” the researchers concluded, “a subtle but insidious form of prejudice that emerges when people can justify their negative feelings toward blacks based on factors other than race.”
Then this from Blow: “Sound familiar?”
Well, yes, I guess it does. And it also sounds troubling.
It sounds like the Rice researchers (and Charles M. Blow, the op-ed columnist from the New York Times) are saying that people who claim to be against President Obama’s healthcare plan because it costs too much, may, deep down, be against the plan because the president who wants it passed is black.
And if you’re one of those critics who says President Obama’s plans to fight “global warming” will amount to a big tax on all Americans, you may be sincere, but you may be a bigot – a subtle one, but a bigot nonetheless.
What I find troubling about this kind of thinking is the implication that while critics may think they’re simply against the president’s policies, it’s probably more sinister than that. Sure, the researchers seem to be saying, you’re not automatically in the KKK because you think the president’s stimulus bill was nothing more than a goody bag for liberal Democrats, but there’s a good chance a part of you opposes the plan not just on policy grounds, no matter what you say or believe – but on racial grounds.
So let’s turn a few tables. Does this mean that folks who said they didn’t think Clarence Thomas was a good pick for the U.S. Supreme Court on policy grounds –that he was too conservative, that he might vote to overturn Roe v. Wade – also had “a subtle but insidious form of prejudice” lurking in their liberal hearts? Were they “justifying their negative feelings toward blacks based on factors other than race”?
Did Condi Rice’s critics dislike her because she was too right-wing in her politics or was it because she’s a black woman? And how about those liberals, black and white, who think black conservative men like Michael Steele are sell-outs (and worse!) – are they subtle racists, too? Or are only white conservatives guilty of this “aversive” racism?
Well, I guess we know the answer to that one. So if liberals don’t think they’re guilty of racism, subtle or otherwise, if they see their opposition to conservatives like Thomas, Rice, Steele and others as principled and based soley on policy … then why should they assume that bigotry resides in the conservative soul, just because conservatives oppose the president’s liberal policies?
That, unfortunately, is an easy one: Because, they would say, liberals are not bigots and conservatives are. When you understand that, you understand all you need to know about how sanctimonious (and delusional) the Left can be – especially when it comes to the murky waters of race in America.
True racism is the mindset that requires a person to belong to a specific group with those who possess similar physical characteristics. Racists only think of people in terms of groups rather than as individuals. Mistreatment based on race is actually prejudism.
First of all, I’m tired of the topic of prejudism only being between blacks and whites. There are SO MANY other races of Americans in this country that are hardly ever represented in the American media and entertainment world, a blatant form of prejudism in and of itself. Where are the A-list Hollywood actors or singers, TV hosts, guest experts/commentators who are Americans of, say, Vietnamese, Fijian or Pakistani descent?
Prejudism is usually not overt. It displays itself via the subtlest of thoughts and mindsets, many times so ingrained in a person’s mind that they can’t see it. Here in the south where I temporarily live, the treatment of whites vs. other races is as clear as day. I’ve also lived in California where it exists just as much but on a more covert level due to political correctness. Prejudism requires a person to ask themself honest questions and provide honest answers. Some of these questions: Do I believe in any way that my race is better or superior than that other race? Do I stand up for someone based on the fact that they’re the same race as me, even when I don’t agree with what they’re doing? Would I be 100% approving of my son or daughter marrying someone of that race? Am I just as happy to see someone of another race excel as I am someone of my race? Am I more comfortable with someone of my own race?
Prejudism is alive and well all around the world, including the U.S. and it is just as wrong to provide a blanket denial without truly searching one’s own heart as it is to throw out mindless accusations.
Main Entry: rac·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-\
Function: noun
Date: 1933
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
Webster’s Online Dictionary
Where does it say anything about only whites can be racists? This is another made up theory to push their agendas. By definition #2, any color can be a racist. By #1, disagreeing with someone is NOT RACISM. You have to believe you are superior to someone because of your race, NOT your beliefs.
Noun 1. racist – a person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others
Free Online Dictionary
So I think most of the people on here don’t think they are superior to Pres Obama because of his RACE. Let’s face it, he’s the president and most of us just lives our lives, go to work (pay taxes), and raise our families. We couldn’t think of becoming president [although Nobel Peace Prize may be in reach now
] I don’t think most of us would think we are superior to he or any other person because of race or any other factor, but ideas are a different thing. If a person of color states that the sky is pink when its obviously blue and we disagree, does that make us racist? What about something more difficult to discern like politics or economics? There are certainly many different schools of thought for religion, economics, politics, etc. How about a white evolutionist against a black fundamental preacher creationist? Examples are endless. How can any edcuated person say that anyone who disagrees with the president’s policies is racist? As far as minorities have come [granted racists did their part to prevent these strides], race does not factor into things at all like it used to. I was happy when he won the election even though I did not vote for him. I thought it was a great achievement considering where he came from and his family situation and yes, being black. Unfortunately, his race and the so-called “racial healing” has not occured because THEY don’t want it to. The words racism or racist have become what the communists used to use for the “PARTY”. If you disagree with the “party” you are demonized, ostracized or killed. This is the same thing. They are framing policies around race so no one can diagree without being labeled a racist.
There is a full out assault on the freedom of speech. It started with PC speech on college campuses and the media. Now that professors and the media are all in agreement, the next step is the citizens. Why? Because it is the most important of our rights. Its loss leads to loss of all other rights. Why do you think its the first Bill Of Right? The founding fathers thought it was the most important. If there is no freedom of speech, press, etc, no one will hear the truth. The real truth will then be perceived to be something different and all will go along with their belief system. This is the isidious propaganda machine we are being subjected to and its getting worse. The problem is that most people aren’t that informed and hear sound bites the MSM wants them to hear. This is the most destructive.
When the liberals say that everything starts with racism, it does. That is exactly their plan.
Dear Mr.G: Have you ever noticed the person playing the race card or shouting to the rooftops about racism is always the biggest racist. I personally could care less about skin tone or ethnicity. Black, white, blue, green or pink with purple poka dots just doesn’t matter to me. Although, I seem to have an allergic reaction to pink and refuse to wear the overpriced shirt my wife bought unless it’s breast cancer awareness week. Then I catch the jazz about how only real men wear pink and how the color is calming. I give my stock respone I learned from my sons and daughters. Whatever man! I digress. Reality check. You know times are bad when Jimmy Carter starts running his pie hole. Who has the entry code to Prez Carter’s dimentia ward? We hope they aren’t privy to any launch codes since it seems security clearances are no longer required. I do long for the 70′s on even days sitting in my Chevelle listening to “My Sharonna” ten times before filling my tank. God Bless the U.S.A. Best Regards, Anthony Ferreira
i find it interesting that know one ever brings up Condalisa Rice name.She is one of the most well spoken,level headed, informed, wonderful personality of a person, and her challenges and accomplishments she has done, more for the country and a human being, and as a woman, a black woman, im a white male, and she is not mention at all by the demos, black leaders for what she has accomplished,witch is very easy for them to do because then they would have to say ya,, there has been progress…Race is a very in mature and junior high mentality..its negative in every sense of the word..doesn’t belong anywhere on the planet..dose it exist ya..ill be a demo thought..anyone with it doesn’t deserve a voice..witch it doesn’t deserve…at all.. obama doesn’t know have of what she knows, and it is’nt race that’s the problem, it’s knowledge.. or she awesome!!, and he sucks..
I believe every sports journalist, athlet and sport’s fan in the world is praying they give the summer Olympics to Rio. Obama is bringing Oprah and the Chicago mafia to wreck every fan’s wild dream. Let’s see: month in Chicago or month in Rio. The world will really hate Obama if he takes the lollipop away. And Latin America will be crushed not to have their first summer Olympics:)
It was a true pleasure to meet Mr. Goldberg and his lovly wife, at a local restaurant on Saturday night. He is such a gentleman, and his wife a sweet lady.
If possible, I would appreciate someone contacting me, from his web-site, about buying two autograghed books. One for my son and one for may bother-in-law. We all trade books during the holiday season.
Thanks again Mr. Goldberg for your wisdom and thoughts,
Kenn Port
Obama going to Copenhagen to deal with the Olympics – major mistake.
If Chicago wins the nomination – the perception will be that the USA bulled their way over the “poor smaller” nations.
If Chicago looses the nomination – US President will look weak.
Loose-loose situation for Obama.
Should have let Michelle do the presentation.
Obama will look like the President of NBC /who own the TV rights/ not like the President of America!
Major mistake: “loose-loose”
If you are unaware of one of the most elementary of confused words, it says you probably do not read much. If you do not read much, you probably aren’t well-versed in or up to date on politics. If you’re not well-versed in or up to date on politics, no one will listen to you. It’s “lose-lose,” jackass.
What is considered racist by the left in America.
A) Anyone that has ownership in big oil as they’re all white conservative males.
B) Anyone who owns an NFL team. Same reasoning as described in the above.
C) Anyone who is on FNC as most everyone is white and conservative.
D) Anyone that has anything to do with ownership of defense contractors. Same as A & B
E) Anyone who’s a Republican, and lives in the S.E. of the U.S. For the exception of Florida. (?)
F) Anyone who lives out west and is a Mormon. Because they usually are white & conservative.
D) Anyone of African-American decent, and is a conservative as the person is considered white.
E) Anyone who- it goes on forever
As usual Bernie, you always present the logical facts when confronting an issue. Not being a fan of President Obama’s policies, it angers me no end when people ignoring the issues just like to throw out the Racist card. Having some fantastic and very loving grandchildren of mixed race this insult to me being called a racist is even more upsetting.
Yes, racism still exists in this country and the world, but if so many people in America are supposedly racist, how did a black man get elected President in the first place. It all boils down to the fact that the elite media and the far left can’t debate the issues on their merits, so they retreat to the name calling to try shutting up the opposition.
The radical loons who constantly attack everyday American’s due to our opposing views on policy would be the first to scream if the main stream media made a stink over their protests claiming that they are justified by the First Amendment and right to Free Speech. But it appears the 1st Amendment was supposedly just written for the minority ie, the far left and that if regular America speaks out that we should just shut up and go away. Sorry, but the Freedom of Speech exists for All American’s – not just the few that agree with you.
People like Jimmy Carter speaking out on this issue makes no difference. He was an idiot as President and doesn’t seem to have wised up in his old age. I guess that makes me a bigot against people from Georgia?? As for the Vet who posted comments here supporting the racist argument, thank you for your service and you have a right to your opinion. But I am also a vet as well as retired on a disability from 25 years in law enforcement so I also have a right to my opinion and even though it is 180 degrees from yours, it doesn’t make me a racist.
Thanks Bernie for another insightful look at the facts. Keep them honest my friend!
I did a little series of posts on my Town Hall blog, Two Cents’ Worth, about a year ago, briefly addressing some of the attitudes that could/would be the basis for the race-idiots to label me as a racist. I’m no genius, but it is pretty revealing to watch this unfold pretty much along those lines.
Mr. Goldberg, when are you going to hook up with Glenn Beck instead of the carnival barker, Bill
O’Reilly?
It is frustrating to watch that bag of wind cavalierly dismiss valid points you and Mr. Beck make, as if you wer court jesters and his snide Neville Chamberlain-like attitude amounted to something more than a rabbit passing gas.
It is frustrating when O’Reilly dismisses or downplays the substance of valid points. It’s also frustrating and annoying when he interrupts his guests before they’ve completed a thought, so he can dominate the conversation. He does seem to fancy himself as “The Patriarch,” as evidenced by these actions and by his air of superiority. I watch him only for his guests. I agree that Bernie and Glenn would be a better match.
I think Bill O’Reilly is great. How many others do you see in the MSM take on the NY Times, the ACLU, ACORN, GE/NBC News/Jeffrey Immelt and George Soros to name a few? If it weren’t him and Fox News’ other pundits, Glenn Beck & Sean Hannity we would all be in the dark. Think about it. How much accurate information do we actually get from Katie, Brian and Charlie? Believe me when I tell you, I have my own mini media center set up on my computer at home, and very little of what is on line ever makes it to the MSM. Rahm Emanuel and the White House now control about 80% of the media, or it sure seems that way to me.
As far as Bill’s technique goes, you are both missing the point. I think he plays devil’s advocate not only to see all sides of an issue but to make for an interesting debate. Or you can turn on Brian Williams and watch him ask Barack and Michelle about their new puppy. The choice is yours.
I haven’t watched “The Katie, Brian, & Charlie Channels” for years. I don’t bother with anything but FOX. I GET it! Why do you think I’m here at Bernie’s site? If you’ll re-read my post, you’ll find that I had no complaint whatsoever about the substance of O’Reilly’s program, only his style. I just think he could be even MORE effective at the great job he’s doing if he’d allow his equally great guests to steal a little more of the show.
Although a long time viewer of O’Reilly, I do have to agree with your comments with regards to Bill downplaying valid points as of late. It troubles me that he has become almost an apologist for President Obama ever since the election.
Even with more and more evidence mounting showing the connections between the President and the various radicals he has surrounded himself, Bill seems to go out of his way to frequently praise the President for his honesty and intelligence. I felt that Bill was tougher on President Obama during the campaign and now keeps walking on egg shells since Obama was elected. Is it just respect for the office, or is there more going on here then meets the eye. I agree that Bernie and Glenn Beck might be a better match since as of late, Bill O’Reilly has treading lightly when it comes to discussing the President. I guess it could be a matter of playing Devils Advocate as mentioned by another poster here, but my gut tells me that with regards to the President Bill is going out of his way to play it safe and I find this a bit disturbing. But I have been wrong before and maybe I am just seeing a problem where there isn’t one. Only time will tell.
Or maybe Bill just isn’t very perceptive after all, since he’s still giving Obama the benefit of the doubt!
Geparza, you sure are not a genius! Why would Goldberg go from the hot air of Bill O’Rielly to the idiot cry- baby racist Glenn Beck? If you put the minds of Goldberg,Beck or O’Reilly in a gnat it would clunk around and fly backwards!
Excellent, Bernie, excellent! You’ve nailed it once again!
We live in the richest, freest, healthiest, most convenient society that has ever existed in the history of mankind and I find it truly sad that the left can still find this many dysfunctional cup empty poor mouth brats to go along with their madness. The Miscreant Screamer Medias best friend is ignorance, they sell nothing but Chicken Little ponzy schemes, panic, hate, and division and they couldn’t be doing a better job at it had they attended the Joseph Gerbils school of journalism.
Had John McCain been elected do they really think that conservatives would then automatically be backing illegal immigration, national health scare, and the pig out that is going on in DC today? They obviously didn’t when Bush was still in office so why should they now? Obama is nothing but the desperate left’s excuse to play this dirty old worn out race card again, and this juvenile attempt to open old wounds only reveals the sophomoric weakness of their intellectual arguments even more.
MCHnDFW:
Your attempt at intelligent feed back is pathetic! Get A life! If McCain were elected, conservatives would be raiding and pillaging the country the way they do as the rich get richer and the poor… You guys don’t want healthcare reform because everyone will have a chance at health coverage which is only affordable to some at this point. What cracks me up about conservatives is you all claim to be so God fearing and all about family values but have no tolerance for anyone other than yourselves. Speaking of “Pig Outs” there are a lot of rich pigs that came from the last administration who got tht way from the conservative trickle down way of life! “Race Card” is a term invented by whites to down play racism in this country. It is alive and well! visit attackdawg.com and see what I say about “Plaing the Race Card”!
OK, OK… you got me…. (MUSIC UP)
DR. ‘BAMA
(to Dr. Pepper jingle)
I don’t like Obama and I’m proud
Sometimes you just have to shout out loud
(“You Lie!”)
I see right through his socialism ploys
Now they say I’m just a good ol’ boy..
(They say…)
I’m a racist, you’re a racist,
He’s a racist, she’s a racist
Wouldn’t you like to be a racist too?
I’m a racist, you’re a racist,
He’s a racist, she’s a racist
Wouldn’t you like to be a racist, too?
Us racists are an interesting breed,
Color we don’t really even see…
It’s just we don’t like what Obama says
But race-baiters don’t know any other way
(So they cry…)
I’m a racist, you’re a racist,
He’s a racist, she’s a racist
Wouldn’t you like to be a racist, too?
(KEY CHANGE)
Non-black faces, they’re all racist
I’m a racist, you’re a racist,
Wouldn’t you like to be a racist, too?
Don’t like Obama, Barry Obama,
Don’t like Obama, Komrade Obama
Don’t like Obama, Dear Leader Obama
Don’t like Obama, Doctor Obama….
(FADE OUT)
Minnesota, that’s cute! Stupid but cute. Bye the way, don’t be proud of being ignorant, just (FADE OUT).Visit attackdawg.com
There was an interesting article in this week’s Philadelphia Inquirer, authored by an assistant professor of sociology from some college in New York, titled “Racism underlies rage at Obama presidency” with the subtitle “It shows itself in attacks against each and every act.” Among the author’s statements was ” . . . those who would attack Obama because he is African American instead transfer their rage to a more acceptable target: each and every policy, decision, proposal, and action of his presidency.”
Ok. So a few people into the paper wrote observing that much of the criticism of George W. Bush, was often equally vile, comparing him to HItler, calling him a liar, a torturer and a murderer? Isn’t that equally unacceptable?
The response to that by the defenders of the article was in effect, no, that’s different, everything we said about George W. Bush was TRUE. So the vile criticism of GWB is completely OK.
There’s no hope for America, I’m afraid. You can read the article from the professor at:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/59430552.html?viewAll=Y&text=#comments
Jackson: What was said about GWB was true, Right? We haven’t given Obama a chance to screw up, because people like Limbaugh and Hannity began killing him from day one with statements like “I hope Obama Fails” When a statement like that is made at the very beginning and everything he tries to do is attacked and he is Black, one would think it is because Hannity and Limbaugh are playing the real “Race Card”. There is hope for America, we just have to get rid of the “Good Ol’ Boy” mentality. Visit attackdawg.com, it’ll set you free!
It worked during the campaign.
I quit counting somewhere in the teens the number of different people that told me I was a racist simply because I had no wish to see then Senator Obama in the White House.
In there eyes there was no way anyone could dislike his policies, so there was only one other possibility. In their eyes I had to be a racist.
Why would they stop using something that works?
If we believed that Obama’s election would have a soothing effect on racial soreness, I guess the joke was on us! Now we’re finding that salt is being rubbed into the wound. And a terrible thought occurred to me: Even though Obama’s BEHAVIOR is deserving of impeachment and removal from office, it will never happen for fear of the uprising that would result. Our country is being held hostage because of the President’s race.
Sandra, It scares me to really think you believe that nonsense! Impeachment? Why for lying aout a war? Torture? Affiliations with enemies of this Country? Stiffling the economy? Or is it because the conservatives feel threatened they will have to pay taxes (like the middle class) on the billions they take from this country? One President got shoes thrown at him and the other recieved the Nobel Peace Prize- go figure!
now let me get this straigt……this is for the libs who read this .Are libs saying that our esteemed black counter parts that disagree with bo policies are racist? lol kiss my u know what.That race joke will not fly in this country any more. Dont change the topic with race. bo is a usurper. He hates america and all that cherish freedom and the rights to live pray and do as they will.The man sucks as a leader and as a representative of we the people . We can all agree on that.Every time he deems another sick twisted idea to be injected onto the tax paying americans,its clear that our constitution is the furthest thing from his small marxist mind.He is a racist that uses race . What aansparent mess he is. He challenges our freedoms every day and is turning his hate and his wifes on all of us. My hope is that he leaves this country when his miserable 4 yrs are up!
Linda, you should be a FOX News contributor, it sounds like you watch them 24 hours a day. You could make a good living showing up at town hall meetings yelling to the top of your lungs about all the lies your ilk spews. God bless America! We’ll need those blessins as long as your around!
One-term president jimmy carter claims that any criticism of President Obama is based in racism,
so jimmy carters maniacal criticism of Israel must be based on carters anti-semitism.
Eddie: One- term in this sense only means the good, they die young and evil lasts for two tems! Vist attackdawg.com
I dont care what they say. Im past all that cr-p. If they dont like what we say because they think we are racist that’s their problem not mine. I will respect the MSM when they and the dems can defend their positions with honest debate. Thats not going to happen. Demonize is their middle name
And btw, why would anyone listen to what Jimmy Carter has to say? He’s proven over the last 25 years that he’s a clueless fool.
The NYT article shows how stupid/foolish/clueless liberals are. Their opinions/judgments always fall apart when confronted with reason.
We must understand the mind set of the old south democrats,AKA Goober Piles Carter…
You must first make yourself the victim before you can victimize your opponents….This
is how all liberals play out today,You know kinda like I voted against it before I voted for
it………………………………………..My new hero will be he/She who runs against President
Jugears and lays a big A$$ whipping on this Commander in Thief..” Beware of those that
lurk in dark shadows of flight.”
How did Carter ever get elected in the great state of George in the first place?
Excellent points Bernie.
It’s sad that a majority of the media supports whatever ridiculous nonsense that liberals churn out, or simply turn a blind eye to it. And equally ridiculous is that a government that can’t be held accountable for any of the corruption and blunders it has made so far, should actually be put in charge of anything of such great importance as America’s health care. Could anyone suggest anything more stupid? The accusation that anyone who disagrees with Obama must be racist, is just rotten fruit off the same tree.
Are you talking about the Obama administration or the previous one concerning corruption?
At a university that has been stereotyped and scrutinized by other universities for its lack of sensitivity towards race, you might think that those who attend Virginia Tech might provide a fresh perspective on the race issue having been unfairly cast by labels for decades. Perhaps because the majority of our campus has indeed been brainwashed by mainstream media, I, a moderately conservative writer for our newspaper, am beginning to endure the litny of accusations and labels liberals flaunt whenever their views appear to be threatened. In my latest article titled “Political Correctness Hinders Free Speech,” (I must comment that I titled it “Threatens Free Speech”-my editor changed it) I hoped to illuminate the injustice suffered by the critics of the current adminstration and identify a potential source of causality. As anticipated, having criticized the fundamental guiding principle of the liberal elitists, I am now being publically lambasted in our paper. Having felt a part of the silent minority for far too long on this campus, I feel confident that my activism as a conservative writer might spark a movement on the campus to at least consider another point of view other than that touted by our President. In a world where our nation’s future is so uncertain, the key to survival lies with the young adults on college campuses. As long as liberals continually dominate every media outlet, we have no hope of successfully repelling the implementation of liberal policy. It is in our nation’s best interest to engage young adults and gain access to our ideas. When the older generations become unable to “fight the good fight” anymore, they will find solace in knowing that they have passed along their ideas to an invigorated and passionate group of people willing to suffer the plight of staying true to the American way of life. President Obama sees the potential young people hold, just as many historical leaders have, and makes no qualms about indoctrinating them at an early age. Conservatives should take notice and initiate discourse with the later generations before they are beyond reach. Time has not run out, yet there’s no guarantee of how long the window of opportunity may last.
Keep up the good fight,if we can gain one ore two in each passing day the victory may be ours soon….Thank you and keep pressing the message,,God’s speed!!!!
Excellent! Well put. You seem wise beyond your years – I only wish I could have said the same for myself when I was your age. I wish you the best of luck and try to keep a thick skin. You’ll need it as a lonely conservative among the sea of liberal elite. It takes a person of strong character to go against popular opinion. You can do it.
Brooke, you sound like a Hitler youth! “The American way of Life” is now heading toward inclusivity! Not rich white conservatives’ exclusivity! -attackdawg.com
I’m sick and tired of being called a racist. How dare those who don’t know me assume I am one. I’m scared to death of Obama’s policies. Why do we as a nation have to be subjected to “Chicago politics”, which up until now has mostly been confined to that region? I have absolutely had it. I am writing to the President, to my senators, to my congresswoman, every week, telling them what I think about what they are doing in Washington with my hardearned money. I will never again vote for an incumbent (I didn’t last election, and warned everyone I know about doing so!), and I will vote in every election. My voice will be heard. And as a true born-again Christian, I’m praying every day for God to have mercy on our country. My advice – write and vote. Pray if that is your way. Don’t give up, don’t give in.
Bernie, you’re amazingly articulate. Thanks for helping me defend my anti-Obama non-racist views intelligently. And, by the way, I never even think of him as black. To me he’s simply an egotistical, empty-suited traitor to our country, who will do or say anything to insure his world popularity.
So if you’re Black (as I am) and you oppose Obama policy, you’re also racist?!? Or does that fall under a different catagory? I’m confused. This really complicates the so-called “conversation on race” Attorney General Holder, Tavis Smiley and others say we are “too cowardly” to have. The way the liberals have set it up, they win either way. If you don’t have a conversation, you’re racist; and if you do, but don’t agree with them 100%, you’re racist!!
This is all much ado about nothing. I know I’m not a racist, so does every other critic of Obama and his policies. The real problem is the control the Left has over the media. They are brainwashing the people who aren’t really paying attention to what’s going on in this country. They’re the ones (the drive-bys) who are easiest to manipulate. I know, because I used to be one of them. I’ve been studying what’s been going on here the past year and it’s been a revelation. The Left has control over most of our universities, media and now, the government. It’s not about race, that’s just a distraction. The Left dosen’t want to lose control. But they can be defeated, I’ve come to that conclusion. Good people just have to start paying attention. PAY ATTENTION! It’s REALLY important!
Not that it matters very much, but a quick check on one’s own racist potential might be: gee, while I might be a racist, would I still oppose the policy even if I weren’t. The answer to this should allow you to sleep soundly.
I also find it of note that the same people who quickly and freely throw out the name-calling and “racist!” accusations against those who are opposed to their agenda are also the same people who accuse those same opponents of being “unwilling to have a civil discussion” with them.
If one didn’t know better, one might suspect that they are deliberately trying to further divide the country along ideological lines.
Yet, didn’t they also criticize GW Bush for failing to be “…a uniter, not a divider…”?
Well of course the Democrats (and Arlen Specter) who opposed Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice are not racists! After all, in their view, Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice are not black. QED
This is why I enjoy your writings. When everyone else is ranting you put the issues into perspective.
But since the Stimulus passed I am now a “Stimulus Racist”. And now have a great mistrust of any new legislation out of Washington on issues they say will help me. And more so when they don’t read it before they sign it.
Excellent article but why do you only discuss racism in terms of black and white? I’ve heard racist comments and attitudes from all colors and creeds. It seems most discussions on race only discuss black and white when racism can come from any segment of the population.
I work for a large, diverse, school district in Southern California (130,000 students) and have witnessed racism expressed across all racial and ethnic lines. However, I find most cries of racism are really comments about social class. That is, most folks seems to be most accepting of others within their own social class regardless of skin color.
Thank you for all you do. I enjoy watching you on The Factor and always look forward to your thoughtful and well-reasoned segments.
Christina:
You seem informed and intelligent, but “The Factor well reasoned?” Please! visit attackdawg.com
I really don’t understand you Mr. Goldberg. Yes I’ve seen you on the HBO specials with Bryan Gumbell, and I have to tell you…YOU’RE TALENTLESS.
I watch you bloviate on the O’Reilly Factor every week, giving your sycophantile analysist. By the way, why haven’t you or O’reilly run for political office yet….since you know everything. Remember this, I haven’t heard you say one thing, no a cent about the outrageous and obligatory statement YOUR FRIEND, Beck said, when he called our GREAT President “racist, and I think he doesn’t like WHITE PEOPLE”. Where were you Mr. Bloviator, and race objector.
You are simply pathetic sir. This coming to you from a retired disable veteran, and Iraq veteran.
Respectfully,
Yawn.
Bored now.
Got an anger management problem, chum? I didn’t see Beck’s comment about Obama’s not liking WHITE PEOPLE, but I suspect he was parodying a rapper, who said on some TV show that Bush didn’t like BLACK PEOPLE. The same rapper, by the way, who was recently in the news for some other rude behavior.
This coming to you from a Korean, Vietnam and Cold War veteran, who thankfully is not disabled.
Lee,
If I have to go back to war ever,I will make sure I get shot and become disable too. afterwards I can make stupid remarks….I must be a white retired veteran racist because I don’t agree with the
President’s policies….
Obama called his own grandmother “a typical white person” whose apprehension about non-white strangers on the street was “inbred.” When I heard the audio of these staements during the campaign, it helped me form my negative opinion of the candidate.
And furthermore, Mr. Stewart, if there really were spelling and punctuation police, you’d be under arrest!
Lets see now 92% of the blacks voted for Obama. Was that an anti-White racist vote or a pro-Black racist vote ??
Thank you Lee, I agree with you whole heartedly. How would anyone think that Beck isn’t a devisive racist when he made a statement like that. Most Fox news viewers idolize Beck because he speaks for them! Hmmmm! Now that’s a problem. Visit me at attackdawg.com and see what I have to say about Mr. Goldberg and Beck.
OK, I admit it, I’m a racist. I also opposed Hilary Clinton’s health care plan in 1993, so I’m also a misogynist.
One of the best articles I’ve ever read. Thank you.
I still wonder what technique the researchers are using to go beyond political correctness curtain when interviewing both whites and blacks to study the issue of racism.
Is the anonymity enough – or is the political correctness so deeply embedded in people /white and black/ that the surveys are hopelessly biased!
Thanks Mr. Goldberg.
I believe that these sanctimonious “limousine liberals” are racist-phobic. Calling all that disagree “racist” while secretly fearing that they themselves might be “outed” as racist.
Labeling people racist is just one way of manipulating a situation and derailing any true debate. Every time I hear a Jimmy Carter hollering racism all I can think is “Methinks the [person] doth protest too much!” I also want to challenge him and all who think like he does to actually have some interaction with those who are protesting Obama based on his policies that includes some honest listening on their parts.
I completely agree with everything you said, Mr. Goldberg. When it’s impossible to rationalize their liberal agenda, they revert to the old, tried and true “race card.” All I want to know is, what is the average IQ of these people? They can’t intelligently discuss the policies of the administration, so they name call. How pathetic!
As I recall, I didn’t need an ulterior motive to disagree with Bush’s excessive spending. Now that Obama’s set to triple the deficit in his first year, however, I’m called a racist for disagreeing with excessive spending.
Got into a Facebook debate with someone over this nonsense a few days ago, with a Liberal claiming that even though I and others may THINK we oppose the President’s policies because of legitimate reasons, we are all unconsciously racists. So then I go to check their Facebook friends lists and guess who doesn’t have any black friends?
The worst part about this is that even the White House has the sense to dispute the claims of racism. As Obama, said on Letterman , he was Black before the election, meaning even he recongnizes that even some people who once supported him now do not.
I think you’re correct. This reminds me of the time I read your book, Crazies to the left, wimps to the right of me. The observations you made about race in that book were so intriguing that I may have to go read it again.
Excellent article!!
I’m not a racist, I hate everyone equally
I think you hit everything that needed to be said in the article.The leftnut propaganda parrots have been fanning the flames of racism for far to long, and need to constantly be called out for it.
I honestly think they enjoy this divisive tone they’re creating and would relish a race war, to them it would somehow give them justification for all the hysteria they regurgitate daily.
END OF RANT!!!
SO IS OBAMA’S REQUEST TO THE GOVENOR OF NY , TO NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION A SO CALLED ” BLACK ON BLACK CRIME ? “
The answer to this riddle is black and white – and if the former top media had journalistic integrity, it would also be “read all over”.
Great column, great analysis. It looks like all the ‘left’ has left is it’s old stand-by, the race card.
This is a text book example of why liberalism is an intellectually dishonest ideology. Liberals are incapable of being based in a consistent foundation for their arguments. As Mr. Goldberg eloquently points out, when conservatives do oppose Obama’s liberal policies, it’s ‘a subtle but insidious form of prejudice,’ but when he turns the tables the argument all of a sudden doesn’t apply to liberals who oppose people like Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice.
We can draw further conclusions regarding the liberals’ use of the convenience of premise for other arguments they make. When it was Bush’s war, the left protested and kicked and screamed. But now that it’s Obama’s war, all is quiet on the hill.
Joe Wilson yells out “you lie” to the president in an inappropriate forum and hell breaks loose. But when Democrats interupted President Bush when he was addressing Congress, that was a non issue.
The list goes on and on. But like Goldberg, O’Reilly and Hannity have often said on TV, the double standard is astounding.
*Excellent*, Bernie.
Jimmy Carter is a resentful ideologue who is still angry that America rejected him for a second term. His accusations of racism are grounded in his own racism, he thinks that the rest of us look at the world like he does.
Your point about Thomas and Rice are simply irrefutable.
Imagine what a nasty and resentful rejected one-termer Mr Obama will be in a few years.