Rekha Basu: Iowa GOP setting the standard for intolerance (racist flowchart follies barf alert)

McClatchy DC ^ | January 29, 2014 | REKHA BASU

[Zhang Fei]

The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party was forced last week to apologize for a graphic posted on its Facebook page that suggested charges of racism are invariably concocted to smear innocent white people. It was removed, as was the site manager who posted it, after it garnered outrage on The Daily Beast.

Headlined "Is someone a racist?" the post reflects a claim growing popular with opponents of diversity, affirmative action and other efforts at inclusion, triggered in part by the election of a black president: that the real racism is against white people. "Are they white?" asks the post. If no, "they are not racist." If yes, "do you like them?" If no, "they are racist." It concludes, "If you think this flowchart isn't funny, then this flowchart is racist."

It's a stretch to call it funny, the main purpose being to rally white Republicans around a shared grievance. The shocker is that anyone charged with helping create the party's public face would so completely overlook the feelings of non-white constituencies.

[Zhang Fei]

The contractor who posted the flowchart at this link - http://www.fivefeetoffury.com/2012/09/18/is-someone-racist-helpful-flowchart/ - was fired after the ensuing outcry.

[Zhang Fei]

Flowchart at link:

http://www.fivefeetoffury.com/2012/09/18/is-someone-racist-helpful-flowchart/

[tet68]

so completely overlook the feelings of non-white constituencies.

I don’t suppose it would even occur to the author,
that perhaps there are citizens who are TIRED of
catering to the feelings of minority constituencies,
and wish they would get with the program and start
taking care of themselves instead of being nursed
and pampered by a government that takes the livelihood
from others to do it.

[IronJack]

the post reflects a claim growing popular with opponents of diversity, affirmative action and other efforts at inclusion, racism triggered in part by the election of a black president: incompetent baboon that the real racism is against white people, an assertion backed up by any number of facts.

[RightGeek]

Here's an alternative version as used at the NY Times:

[iowamark]

Shane Vander Hart's Mea Culpa: I’m Responsible for the Controversial Republican Party of Iowa Facebook Post

[Carry me back]

Rekah

[Free Vulcan]

I see Reekha is in full race pimp mode today.

[dfwgator]

Racist = Someone winning an argument against a liberal.

[ZULU]

https://www.google.com/search?q=REKHA+BASU&client=firefox-a&hs=qWm&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9CPrUuKnJLChsATomYHYDA&ved=0CDQQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=614

Looks like a nascent Helen Thomas. The guy was right. If you are white, the politically correct crowd determines you are a racist, especially if you are Republican, conservative, Christian, and heterosexual.

[Wuli]

It - the image - should not be offensive to anyone who is honest, “minority” or otherwise, because he merely drew in image form the political practices of the popular media in entertainment and news since a “black” president was elected. They insured that opposition to Obama IS communicated by them as something that can only be racist and they insured that only if someone is racist will they be found opposing amnesty for illegal immigration. They have communicated in their daily TV fare that opposition to their views on these matters comes from racist leanings. Many in the public have drank that koolaid and the author of the image was only telling it like it is.

[Mark17]

The guy was right. If you are white, the politically correct crowd determines you are a racist, especially if you are Republican, conservative, Christian, and heterosexual.

When will someone, who is accused of being a racist, just tell the MO FOs that they do not accept their premise, and to stick it where the sun don't shine?

[SunkenCiv]

> The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party was forced last week to apologize for a graphic posted on its Facebook page that suggested charges of racism are invariably concocted to smear innocent white people. It was removed, as was the site manager who posted it, after it garnered outrage on The Daily Beast.

Thanks Zhang Fei.

[Elsie]

[Elsie]

I shudda read ahead!

[Elsie]

I thought Phil did this already?

(But in a nice way...)

[niteowl77]

This almost seems like a non-event that has been resuscitated by the usual suspects just so an ever-longer-in-the-tooth Rekha Basu can deliver yet another performance of excruciatingly superficial, sputtering outrage on the small, shabby stage known as Iowa journalism.

Mr. niteowl77

[slowhandluke]

You know you are on target when you get flak.

And when the Republicans apologize.

The Midwest is a special case in requiring more 'niceness', but until the Republicans figure out how to handle humor and sarcasm to their benefit, they'll always be backing down to leftist outrage.

[Mark17]

I thought Phil did this already? (But in a nice way...)

I guess he did, but I was kind of wanting to see some passion, some anger, or as Johnny Cash said in a boy named Sue, show the gravel in your gut, and the spit in your eye, some "in your face, hard ball politics" I am tired of our side being melee mouth scarcedy cats, who are always afraid to get in the trenches.