Posted on 01/12/2010 4:54:07 AM PST by Kaslin
Welcome to America's longest running hit show -- the race farce, in which feigned shock and outrage lead to fawning apologies and bumbling explanations to all the wrong people. Taking offense has been reduced to low comedy in America -- as hypocrites play out their assigned parts.
S. Harry Reid was quoted in a new book as enthusing in 2008 about Obama's candidacy because he is "light-skinned" and speaks without a "Negro dialect, unless he wants one." Ruth Marcus of the Washington Post called it "beyond stupid" to use the word Negro in 2008. Liz Cheney labeled Reid's words "fairly racist." And Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele opened up to full throttle, calling on Reid to step down as majority leader.
Reid understood his part in the drama. He apologized to the president and to "any and all Americans, especially African-Americans, for my improper comments." The majority leader then made personal calls to a number of African-Americans who could, he hoped, offer remission of sins. Among these were reportedly Eleanor Holmes Norton, Donna Brazile, and ... Al Sharpton.
Actually, if you read between the lines, it doesn't look as though Reid phoned Sharpton but the other way around. The figure who became an American celebrity by attempting to frame innocent men for an invented racial attack, Sharpton issued a statement of forgiveness after noting that he and the leader had spoken. No Democrat in Harry Reid's position would dare to refuse a call from Sharpton under these circumstances. Thus does Sharpton burnish his reputation as the "go to" guy for racial absolution. Deft.
Some Reid defenders have been at pains to point out that Reid was supporting Obama's candidacy and that his words should be understood in that context. This is the part in the play when Democrats' sins are washed clean because they favor the minimum wage, health care reform, and card check. As Norton put it, Reid gets a pass because he "has earned it with long support of civil rights and … issues that matter most to African-Americans." President Obama applied the same standard, accepting Reid's apology because he has shown "passionate leadership … on matters of social justice" and because the president "know(s) what's in Harry's heart."
With due respect to the Republicans who simply could not help themselves in the face of this big fat opportunity to play turnabout, this is not seemly. It's true and glaringly obvious that the Democrats have honed this hair-trigger race sensitivity into a political tool that shoots only right not left. It's so true that no one gave Trent Lott the benefit of the doubt about what was in his heart when he said something boneheaded in praise of the 100-year-old Strom Thurmond. It's true that one word, "macaca," that no one had ever heard of before (and may or may not have had racial connotations), was enough to sink Republican Sen. George Allen. And it's true that countless honorable conservatives have been unjustly smeared as racists because they disapprove of affirmative action or oppose the teachers' unions.
But let's not get into this smarmy business.
Reid used the word "Negro." It's out of date, but is it now offensive? Is it the new "N" word? Just a blink of an eye ago, "black" was the preferred locution. Jesse Jackson decided it should be "African-American" and the country went along. But the slower adopters (even your humble columnist, who prefers less orotund expressions) sometimes still say "black." How long until that becomes a sin?
As for Obama being light-skinned, it's certainly possible that his complexion made him more acceptable to some vestigial racists. For Reid to notice that is not to endorse it. And finally, the president's lack of a "Negro dialect, unless he wants one," was clearly an important asset. Most Americans expect their president to speak standard English. Black (there I go again) speech in America ranges from James Earl Jones to gangsta rap, and it was clearly an advantage that Obama was articulate. When he chooses to adopt a black style, he does it a whole lot more authentically than Hillary Clinton managed in her embarrassing South Carolina appearance at a black (did it again) church. Remember "I ain't noways tired"?
Republicans are right, so right, that if Mitch McConnell had said what Reid said, there would be a prolonged scandal. And they are right that political differences should not be turned radioactive by the malicious charge of racism. But it's enough to point this out.
Don't join in.
“How long until that becomes a sin? “
The split-second the Left can gain from it?
I’m so tired of this game.... ARE you AMERICAN, or are you HYPHEN... If you’re AMERICAN, I DON”T CARE what Color you are!!! If you are HYPHEN, I care even LESS what Color you ARE.
If you are American, you are Friend until proven otherwise.
If you are HYPHEN, you are OTHERWISE until proven FRIEND.
If this makes me RACIST... before you open up your loathesome mouth.. read the story “THE BOY THAT CRIED WOLF”... guess I’ll get flack for the title too.
I had a discussion with a leftist acquaitence of mine about the use of “African American” vs “Black” - and after the usual run around (ummm, not all black people are African) - she told me “We call them what they want to be called”.
I found this hilarious, first the word “them” - as if they were aliens from outer space. Second, now we have to poll people before we use any word to describe them.
What a great system! All we have to do before we engage in conversation with “them” is to ask, sir/madam - how shall I refer to your race, do you prefer Black, African American or other? LOL!
**sir/madam - how shall I refer to your race, do you prefer Black, African American or other?**
Probably be called racist for using OTHER!! I’m at the point now, anyone wants to whine racism at me, I’d prefer to call them .... TARGET
Reid used the word "Negro." It's out of date, but is it now offensive? Is it the new "N" word? Just a blink of an eye ago, "black" was the preferred locution. Jesse Jackson decided it should be "African-American" and the country went along. But the slower adopters (even your humble columnist, who prefers less orotund expressions) sometimes still say "black." How long until that becomes a sin?
I still say Black and sometimes Negro. Like she says, 'is this the new N word'? And who decides, Jesse Jackass? Over my old white patoot.
And not to get technical, but I will anyway :-) Barry Obama isn't an "African American". As we found when Teresssssssa Heinz-Kerry said she was one, we were told that an "African American" must come from slave stock. So Barry falls into that category with Jamaicans and new immigrant bombers from Yemen (/s), they're 'Black', or Negroes, but NOT African-American. And if anyone recalls besides me, before Jesse deemed Blacks be called 'African-American', the 'correct term' was 'Afro-American', which Jesse Jackass ALSO coined.
And maybe someone should call the NAACP and tell them that 'Colored People' is racist and they need to change their name.
The best part is the leftist aquaintance (of mine) is a lawyer and admitted she has no colleagues or friends that are “black, african american or other”.
**she has no colleagues or friends that are “black, african american or other”.**
Had a stupid Lib ask ME if I had B,AA,or Other friends... I Had to STOP and Ponder. After thinking a bit I said “Why, Yes I DO. I had to look at a mental picture of all my closest friends and determine their SKIN COLOR. That’s the difference between Liberals and Conservatives.. Conservatives see friend potential first.. then somewhere down the line, MAYBE we’ll see race.
LIBERALS see COLOR FIRST ... Then rate their VICTIM Status!”
Person has never spoken to me again.
Sure Mona, let them have their phony standard and use it liberally against us.
Feh.
I have said it before and I will say it again and again; All Democrats are racist. They are the only group in this country that looks at a persons skin color and assumes that they are so ignorant the state must help them.
I don’t talk to my “aquaintance” anymore either, it’s not worth the frustration!
I think the fact that Reid said that O could talk like a Negro “if he wanted to” was WORSE than calling him a Negro.
He basically called the man a phony and a liar.
Isn’t it worse to have your character impuned than to be referred to as a skin-color?
I am white
or
Scandinavian American
Please!! Do not call me Caucasian!!!
That’s racist. (Where the picture of that little kid when you need it)
I think Mona is wrong on this. Vestigial racists or racists of any sort did NOT vote for Obama...simply because they are racist. What Mona seems to miss here is what Britt Hume hit a home run on. What Reid said, stupid as it was, was not a racial slur toward Obama and all blacks; it's what was insinuated in his statement toward the rest of non-black America: that we are all racists and it was only because of Obama's "light skin tone" and "non-ebonics" dialect that made him palatable for all us "whiteys" and therefore electable.
It is true that their is an aweful double standard when it comes to the race card. And so Reid should be held to the same standards. But don't hold your breath.
As long as there's a Democrat Party there will be racism. It's what they live for!
Reid's Analysis: Apt Sociology, Bad On Politics by EUGENE ROBINSON
Read especially the part about White in Brazil.
Also, I normally post any Eugene Robinson editorials in IBD with a barf alert. This time I did not have to
Ok, the word “Negro.” It’s out of date. Will someone please tell me how to say what Reid said in the new language? Just exactly what was he saying? How do you translate this into current language that isn’t racist?
Isn’t it basically “he doesn’t look too black or sound black”. That will make him electable? Nope, no racism there.
My personal opinion is that Reid had been approached weeks ago by the powers-that-be and told he needs to resign - ala Chris Dodd - so they can get someone in there to hold the seat for the Democrats.
When Reid refused, this suddenly pops up so he will get squeezed out instead.
Never underestimate the desire for power that Democrats have.
What are you talking about?
I am disagreeing with Charen. Libs should be held to their own standards.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.