Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Accusation that Voter ID Is Racist Demeans Blacks
Townhall.com ^ | June 7, 2011 | Dennis Prager

Posted on 06/07/2011 4:25:27 AM PDT by Kaslin

While dining out last week, I periodically looked up at one of the television monitors to see the score of the first game of the NBA finals. As there was no sound on to interrupt diners' conversations, the monitor was in caption mode: One could read rather than hear the words spoken. At the conclusion of the game, an announcer was interviewing a member of the victorious Miami Heat players. I saw from the captions the player saying the words "they isn't."

Closed captions display the words spoken. They don't correct for poor grammar.

All I could think was: How can a grown man in America today say "they isn't" rather than "they aren't"?

First, how is it possible for anyone to graduate an American elementary school, not to mention a high school or, most incredibly, attend college, and leave with an inability to conjugate the verb "to be"?

Second, has anyone -- a parent or another relative, a teacher, a friend, a coach -- in that player's life ever corrected his grammar?

I assume that the answer to the second question is "No."

And I assume that the answers to both questions are related: The left, which dominates our culture and educational institutions, has too often lowered standards for black Americans. Even worse, it has declared that if you are black, "they isn't" is not only not to be corrected, but many in academia have declared it an acceptable form of English, i.e., Ebonics, or Black English.

It doesn't end.

I saw "they isn't" the same week the Democrats and others on the left virtually unanimously condemned all Republican attempts in state legislatures to pass legislation requiring voters to show a photo ID. The Democrats labeled it a means of "disenfranchising" blacks. Many Democrats compared it to Jim Crow laws.

"Jim Crow, move over -- the Wisconsin Republicans have taken your place," charged Wisconsin Democratic State Sen. Bob Jauch, referring to his state's new voter ID law.

It is hard to imagine a more demeaning statement about black America than labeling demands that all voters show a photo ID anti-black.

This is easily demonstrated. Imagine if some Democratic politician had announced that demanding a photo ID at the voting booth was an attempt to keep Jewish Americans from voting. No one would understand what the person was talking about. But why not? Jews vote almost as lopsidedly Democrat as do blacks. So why weren't Jews included in liberal objections to voter ID laws?

We all know the answer. Jews are generally considered intelligent and therefore no one would assume that obtaining a photo ID was demanding too much of even poor Jews (yes, there are poor Jews). Therefore, one can only infer that the argument that demanding photo ID for voting will disenfranchise many blacks suggests that many blacks lack the capacity to obtain a photo ID.

If that is not a legitimate inference, then only one other inference is possible: The argument is made solely in order to score political points by portraying black Americans as victims of Republican racism. Of course, that argument simply takes us back to the original question: Why does requiring a photo ID to vote prevent blacks from voting?

It is, however, effective. Calling Republicans racist has worked for half a century and will not be abandoned until it is universally recognized as the libel that it is.

What we have in both instances -- the poor grammar that too many blacks use and the argument that demanding a photo ID is too hard on blacks -- is not Republican racism. What we have are two more examples of the destructive consequences of leftist policies on black America.

It is difficult to overstate the negative impact making lesser demands on individuals, especially members of select groups, has on them. The message is as clear as day: We expect less of you. Why? Because we think less of you.

Do most of those on the left really think less of black Americans?

Given the lack of demands, given the rationalization for poor speech (before the left took over education, both blacks and whites spoke and wrote far better), given the advocacy of lowering standards for blacks from everything from civil service tests to college admissions and given other examples, it is hard not to conclude that many on the left really do think black Americans are not equally capable of excellence (outside of sports and entertainment). It is what George W. Bush called "the soft bigotry of low expectations."

If this is not the case, there are two other explanations.

One is guilt. White liberals are so filled with guilt over historic American maltreatment of blacks that they have somehow concluded that making the same demands of blacks as of all other Americans is somehow unfair.

The other is political opportunism -- portray liberals and their policies as the saviors of black Americans. Aside from its constituting cynical exploitation, the problem is that in order to portray oneself as another person's savior, one must portray the other as in need of saving.

Conservative Americans, on the other hand, actually believe there is no difference between black and non-black abilities, and therefore see only harm in depicting a substantial percentage of the black population as essentially incapable of obtaining a photo ID.

Which group has more respect for black Americans? The answer is obvious. And one day, most black Americans will know the real answer to that question. That will be the beginning of the final stage of black liberation, as well as the end of the Democratic Party as we now know it.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-37 next last

1 posted on 06/07/2011 4:25:28 AM PDT by Kaslin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

according to the poverty pimps, every thing demeans Blacks, so what is one more?


2 posted on 06/07/2011 4:28:58 AM PDT by sport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sport
I been at the same Wachovia Bank for 30 years.

In July when it becomes a Wells Fargo, I must bring ID just to make a deposit.

3 posted on 06/07/2011 4:30:52 AM PDT by scooby321
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I are in complete agreements with you.


4 posted on 06/07/2011 4:32:28 AM PDT by chainsaw (I'd hate to be a democrat running against Sarah Palin.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: scooby321
"In July when it becomes a Wells Fargo, I must bring ID just to make a deposit."

Make a controlled experiment: Get some friends of various ethnic groups to go to the bank to make deposits and say they don't have IDs. Document which deposits are accepted and which are refused.

5 posted on 06/07/2011 4:37:03 AM PDT by Truth29
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: chainsaw

I be too


6 posted on 06/07/2011 4:37:51 AM PDT by BwanaNdege ("Experience is the best teacher, but if you can accept it 2nd hand, the tuition is less." M Rosen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: scooby321

I understand that. When I opened another account at Sun Trust in Plant City, even though thy knew me personally, I had to show i.d. and give my life history. Mexico has voter i.d. cards. They have your picture, description,and fingerprint. I know because I found one.


7 posted on 06/07/2011 4:39:45 AM PDT by sport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

“Racist” has always worked in the past, so they keep using it.

It’s much better than having to defend why you don’t want to make sure every vote cast is valid, or to admit that the ‘rat’s margin of victory is often the margin of fraud.


8 posted on 06/07/2011 4:39:59 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter knows whom he's working for)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I work in a bank. Trust me, even people on SSDI have ID...this is a ridiculous accusation. The only people who occasionally don’t are the very old, who, no longer driving, haven’t renewed their license or state ID. And yes, I have had to refuse to help them if nobody in the branch can affirm their identity.


9 posted on 06/07/2011 4:41:00 AM PDT by RockinRight (Who is "Generic Republican" and why does he poll so much better against Obama than anyone else?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Truth29

I take cash deposits without ID, or account numbers.

“Honest, officer, this man just walked up to me and said, “Here, take this”. I don’t know who it was or who to return it to!”


10 posted on 06/07/2011 4:41:13 AM PDT by BwanaNdege ("Experience is the best teacher, but if you can accept it 2nd hand, the tuition is less." M Rosen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Some people on FR suggest that pointing out that 40+% of all crimes committed in the USA are committed by Blacks is racist.

Some facts are demeaning....Blacks are 12.9% of the population but committ 40+% of crimes is demeaning and probably why many don't want to be identified.

47% of the residents of Detroit and New Orleans cannot read or write. Is this demeaning?

11 posted on 06/07/2011 4:41:19 AM PDT by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Don’t most whites who are working for agencies look down on blacks who got affirmative action jobs and arent affirmative action jobs demeaning?

How many have worked in Government jobs and seen blacks promoted who got promoted merely because they needed blacks in supervisory positions?

Isn’t it demeaning that the thought can arise whether it is true or not,because of the system and how it has happened before?

Does anyone really believe that Obama wasn’t an affirmative action election and got elected because blacks thought it was their time and white guilt said the same?

His qualifications speak for themselves.


12 posted on 06/07/2011 4:41:50 AM PDT by Venturer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

“Do most of those on the left really think less of black Americans?”

A resounding “YES” to that question. The left, black and white, treats blacks as children: they need to be told whom to vote for, need to be told what’s good for them, need to be coaxed to good behavior by being given things, are not expected to excel in any capacity beyond sports, are provided myriad excuses for every personal failing. When will black Americans wake up to these facts?


13 posted on 06/07/2011 4:44:01 AM PDT by whatshotandwhatsnot (Islam wants you dead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: scooby321

> I been at the same Wachovia Bank for 30 years.
> In July when it becomes a Wells Fargo, I must bring ID just to make a deposit.

CitiBank did the stupid rule thing to me.
My sister-in-law asked me to deposit her paycheck for her, because she had to go to a doctor’s appointment. IT was a deposit only, no money back.
I got to CitiBank and CitiBank refused to accept the deposit because I didn’t have an account with them.
She had to take vacation time the next day to deposit her check so that her check to the mortgage company wouldn’t bounce. The following week, she moved all of her accounts to a different bank.


14 posted on 06/07/2011 4:44:12 AM PDT by BuffaloJack (Obama did not learn incompetence; he was born to it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: blam

The accusation of “racism” goes hand in hand with Political Correctness, the silencing of truth telling with the goal of “Cultural Marxism”, the original name for PC.


15 posted on 06/07/2011 4:44:32 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter knows whom he's working for)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: chainsaw

Some one -ya no - have no clew - ya no- what they is tawkin about - ya no - hmm - just yesstiday we axed - ya no - my fried - ya no - etc etc etc....

Then the IDIOT REPORTER will ask the pitcher - did Smith hitting that grand slam in the 2nd inning have an effect on you?

“They” must be a lot smarter than given credit for.

It actually ‘hurts my eyes’ to type out a line like that first one.


16 posted on 06/07/2011 4:46:58 AM PDT by xrmusn ((6/98) The more people I run into, the better I like my cat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: whatshotandwhatsnot

Excellent analysis


17 posted on 06/07/2011 4:52:13 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight

I don’t know what part of the country you are in, but in South Georgia it is much more common for them not to have ID. I have been called every name in the book (plus a few that I didn’t even know! and believe me I know a lot) for asking for ID. We require 2 forms of ID (only 1 of which must have a picture and no you can’t use your SSN or your Birth certificate or your credit card or the ID you got from the club or the liquor store!) to rent a PO box, and a valid ID to cash a money order. When I worked for the electric company you had to have an ID to get service and over half the people who drove up claimed not to have a driver’s license! Everyone has a street name and that is all that matters. One of my customers slipped up and told me that they have a name for me. I guess I gave her a look of complete disbelief because she told me what it was and assured me that it was a compliment. LOL


18 posted on 06/07/2011 4:55:16 AM PDT by mom aka the evil dictator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: BuffaloJack
"CitiBank did the stupid rule thing to me. My sister-in-law asked me to deposit her paycheck for her, because she had to go to a doctor’s appointment. IT was a deposit only, no money back.

I got to CitiBank and CitiBank refused to accept the deposit because I didn’t have an account with them.

She had to take vacation time the next day to deposit her check so that her check to the mortgage company wouldn’t bounce. The following week, she moved all of her accounts to a different bank."

That's beyond silly. Don't they still accept night deposits? What if you just went outside, stuck the check and a deposit slip in an envelope and dropped it in the slot?

19 posted on 06/07/2011 4:56:20 AM PDT by Truth29
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

These days, it seems that every attempt to ensure that the law is observed/followed/enforced is decried as racist.

Does it follow from this that certain races are lawless?


20 posted on 06/07/2011 4:59:00 AM PDT by Arm_Bears (I'll have what the gentleman on the floor is drinking.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-37 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson