The Last Word on Race (IMO)
A lot has been said - with good reason, I think - about the racial overtones or influences or biases connected to Joe Wilson's willingness to call our President a liar from the floor of the House and, in general, the attitude and decorum of some of the rest of the Republicans and, beyond that, the behavior of some citizens at public gatherings. But I think Eugene Robinson, in today's WaPo, goes right to the heart of the matter and, beyond his comments, I don't know what else can profitably said on the issue: (As you probably know, Eugene Robinson is African-American, who ...
interestingly in this conversation ... was born and raised in South Carolina.)
Robinson (discussing the behavior of Wilson and others toward President Obama and the purpose of the speech he was giving):
"You will note that I have not yet mentioned race. For the record, I suspect that Obama's race leads some of his critics to feel they have permission to deny him the legitimacy, stature and common courtesy that are any president's due. I can't prove this, however. And if I'm right, what's anybody supposed to do about it? There's no way to compel people to search their souls for traces of conscious or unconscious racial bias. We could have an interesting discussion about the historical image of the black man in American society, but that wouldn't get us any closer to universal health care."
By electing Obama, in my view, the American people -- as a whole -- have announced their verdict on race: it doesn't matter. (Or, if it does, it's way, it's way, way down on the list of important things that should to be considered when making any decision). We have decided that we are going to choose leaders (and heros and villans and friends) based on their actions and abilities, not skin color. In case there was any doubt, that's the way it is and is going to be in America.
So, now that there has been a national judgment on the issue, continuing to focus on it -- to look for or use 'racism' as an explanation or excuse for anything -- is simply pointless. In fact, it only gives power to those who are still racist, who still want it to be an open question and matter of dispute. We have chosen to leave those people in the past and in the dust. They'll catch up or drop off or self-implode in frustration. Whatever. Their choice.
If someone calls the President a n****r, then by all means racism goes right in the spotlight and we can all blast away at it (or defend it, I suppose). But if someone calls a black President a liar from the floor of the House, then we should deal with it as we would if someone called *any* President a liar in that setting. They can think whatever they want but it's their actions for which they are accountable. We have concluded, as a nation, that skin color doesn't matter, so let's don't behave - in our pollitical lives - as if it does. (There are, of course, continuing cultural, sociological, historial aspects that are of value and very much worth consideration.)
BTW, this is said not from any lack of sympathy for African-Americans (or any other minority) but rather out of respect and from a deep desire to truly have it, someday, totally behind us. We are all "hyphenated" in some respect (I guess I'm a WASP-American???), but the important thing is that we are all Americans. While we can't erase our upbringing and past and will still hear and recognize the dog-whistles ......................... we should remember that those things evenutally lose all power and relevance if the dogs stop responding.
Robinson (discussing the behavior of Wilson and others toward President Obama and the purpose of the speech he was giving):
"You will note that I have not yet mentioned race. For the record, I suspect that Obama's race leads some of his critics to feel they have permission to deny him the legitimacy, stature and common courtesy that are any president's due. I can't prove this, however. And if I'm right, what's anybody supposed to do about it? There's no way to compel people to search their souls for traces of conscious or unconscious racial bias. We could have an interesting discussion about the historical image of the black man in American society, but that wouldn't get us any closer to universal health care."
By electing Obama, in my view, the American people -- as a whole -- have announced their verdict on race: it doesn't matter. (Or, if it does, it's way, it's way, way down on the list of important things that should to be considered when making any decision). We have decided that we are going to choose leaders (and heros and villans and friends) based on their actions and abilities, not skin color. In case there was any doubt, that's the way it is and is going to be in America.
So, now that there has been a national judgment on the issue, continuing to focus on it -- to look for or use 'racism' as an explanation or excuse for anything -- is simply pointless. In fact, it only gives power to those who are still racist, who still want it to be an open question and matter of dispute. We have chosen to leave those people in the past and in the dust. They'll catch up or drop off or self-implode in frustration. Whatever. Their choice.
If someone calls the President a n****r, then by all means racism goes right in the spotlight and we can all blast away at it (or defend it, I suppose). But if someone calls a black President a liar from the floor of the House, then we should deal with it as we would if someone called *any* President a liar in that setting. They can think whatever they want but it's their actions for which they are accountable. We have concluded, as a nation, that skin color doesn't matter, so let's don't behave - in our pollitical lives - as if it does. (There are, of course, continuing cultural, sociological, historial aspects that are of value and very much worth consideration.)
BTW, this is said not from any lack of sympathy for African-Americans (or any other minority) but rather out of respect and from a deep desire to truly have it, someday, totally behind us. We are all "hyphenated" in some respect (I guess I'm a WASP-American???), but the important thing is that we are all Americans. While we can't erase our upbringing and past and will still hear and recognize the dog-whistles ......................... we should remember that those things evenutally lose all power and relevance if the dogs stop responding.
