The Genteel Faces of Racism

Vanity | 6/24/2003 | Moneyrunner

[moneyrunner]

The Genteel Faces of Racism

By acknowledging the ongoing need for affirmative action on public college campuses, the U.S. Supreme Court wisely elevated pragmatic realism above blind idealism.

Thus began the June 24th editorial of the Virginian Pilot.

This is the bizarre way that modern day Liberals view the promise of the 14th Amendment, the promise that the government and its institutions would not discriminate on the basis of race: blind idealism.

Justice Clarence Thomas, in his dissent reminds us how he, and another proud black man, Frederick Douglass, view the sort of genteel racism currently fashionable among the editorialists of the 21st Century. Speaking to a group of abolitionists almost 140 years ago, Douglass said this:

“[I]n regard to the colored people, there is always more that is benevolent, I perceive, than just, manifested towards us. What I ask for the negro is not benevolence, not pity, not sympathy, but simply justice. The American people have always been anxious to know what they shall do with us… . I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! Your doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us! If the apples will not remain on the tree of their own strength, if they are worm-eaten at the core, if they are early ripe and disposed to fall, let them fall! … And if the negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is, give him a chance to stand on his own legs! Let him alone! … [Y]our interference is doing him positive injury.” What the Black Man Wants: An Address Delivered in Boston, Massachusetts, on 26 January 1865, reprinted in 4 The Frederick Douglass Papers 59, 68 (J. Blassingame & J. McKivigan eds. 1991). Thomas goes on to say: ”Like Douglass, I believe blacks can achieve in every avenue of American life without the meddling of university administrators. “

Yet he is not joined in his belief by today’s incarnation of the abolitionists to whom Douglass addressed his remarks over a century ago.

And what did Douglass mean when he said that the benevolence, pity and sympathy of whites was doing his people an injury? We see the fruits of that benevolence today in a generation of fatherless children by mothers who marry the welfare system. We see the result of generations of young black boys and girls - being told that they cannot make it on their own - who consider doing well in school as “acting white.”

We are now going to face another generation of black people whose credentials will now be suspect because it will be impossible to tell if they achieved their positions as the result of merit or of “affirmative action” racism. If being black gives the you admission to an institution which pure merit would not admit you, is it not reasonable to assume that your professors will give you “affirmative action” grades and your will be awarded an “affirmative action” diploma. And when you graduate and are looking to make begin your new career, will you be an “affirmative action” hire? And how will your fellow citizens view you and your accomplishments? Will your accomplishments be suspect, or will you be viewed as an intellectual cripple, who, but for the benevolence of genteel racists, would not be where you are?

The question then presents itself: why is this so? We all recall the old faces of racism: Bull Connor and his police dogs, Governors Maddox and Wallace standing in the schoolroom door.

Only in the fever swamps of the Left and among race-hustlers such as Jackson, Sharpton and Barbara Lee does this brand of racism exist. The modern faces of racism are genteel, perky, wear their hair coiffed and … believe (as much as Connor, Maddox and Wallace ever did) in the innate inferiority of blacks. The modern, genteel, faces of racism are O’Conner (Justice, Supreme Court), Mary Sue Coleman (President, U of M) and Kay Addis (Editor, Virginian Pilot).

[moneyrunner]

Corrections: We are now going to face another generation of black people whose credentials will now be suspect because it will be impossible to tell if they achieved their positions as the result of merit or of “affirmative action” racism. If being black gives the you admission to an institution which pure merit would not admit you, is it not reasonable to assume that your professors will give you “affirmative action” grades and you will be awarded an “affirmative action” diploma. And when you graduate and are looking to begin your new career, will you be an “affirmative action” hire? And how will your fellow citizens view you and your accomplishments? Will your accomplishments be suspect, or will you be viewed as an intellectual cripple, who, but for the benevolence of genteel racists, would not be where you are?

[moneyrunner]

ping.

[Cathryn Crawford]

This highlights a conundrum that I find amazing - the fact that Clarence Thomas, a black man, finds affirmative action so distasteful, and argues against it, yet the white justices ignore his argument and vote in favor.

It is my personal belief that many, many white people are simply ashamed of being white.

[newgeezer]

Very good.

The Supreme Court -- with the full support of those who pass as today's civil rights "leaders" -- dealt the latest beating to that dead horse once known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Dream."

Above all else, they are driven to do whatever it takes to ensure that dead horse remains dead. Thus, as long as they have anything to say about it, we will never "live in a nation where [people] will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

[Dan from Michigan]

No guilt from this 'leprechaun'.

[ken5050]

It's easier than that..a simple matter of getting others to atone for YOUR sins....dirty little secret is that most libs especialy the Northern variey) are among the more prejudiced.....not many blacks living in Chappaqua, eh Hillary?...so they make up for it by advocasting drek like this..

[Ayn Rand wannabe]

No guilt from this 'Pilgrim' (although I prefer Puritan) either.

But it is amazing how they can manipulate people's guilt.

[Noachian]

The Supremes have just done to black folks what the KKK could never do: question black folks every achievement, and subject their entire race to a de facto second class status. This is how caste systems begin.

Blacks should be incensed at this piece of judicial racial paternalism, but I'll bet very few will question what nine black robes have done to them this day.

This is what comes from giving a handful of black robed elitists absolute power over an entire race of people. No checks - no balances. Just raw power.

[moneyrunner]

"It is my personal belief that many, many white people are simply ashamed of being white."

I respectfully disagree. They believe that black people are inherently inferior and, but for white benevolence, will not be able to make it on their own.

Add to this the fact that these elites will never suffer the inconvenience of their decisions. The people turned away from the college door will be the children of the less well connected, the poor and the powerless.

[moneyrunner]

"It's easier than that..a simple matter of getting others to atone for YOUR sins....dirty little secret is that most libs especialy the Northern variey) are among the more prejudiced.....”

Correct.

[moneyrunner]

"The Supremes have just done to black folks what the KKK could never do: question black folks every achievement,”

They have help via the willing accomplices in the media, the universities and the Democrat party

[Under the Radar]

They believe that black people are inherently inferior and, but for white benevolence, will not be able to make it on their own.

That is correct.

[newgeezer]

This is what comes from giving a handful of black robed elitists absolute power over an entire race of people. No checks - no balances. Just raw power.

Of course, the checks and balances reside with the Legislative branch, which just so happens to be populated by spineless career politicians.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"Add to this the fact that these elites will never suffer the inconvenience of their decisions. The people turned away from the college door will be the children of the less well connected, the poor and the powerless.

Add to this the fact that the elitist will never grow up with, go to school with, or socialize with black people like I did growing up as a not rich(And southern) white person.

Most people would be surprised to know that the rural black folk I grew up with weren't much different than me. Unlike most of their urban counterparts, they just want the chance to work and provide for their families. Unlike most of their urban counterparts, they don't go looking for the "racist boogeyman" under every rock, as Jesse Jackson and his ilk do.

[Scenic Sounds]

It is my personal belief that many, many white people are simply ashamed of being white.

That's easy for you to say because you're not prejudiced; you hate everybody equally. ;-)

[Cathryn Crawford]

That's easy for you to say because you're not prejudiced; you hate everybody equally. ;-)

Yes, it makes things so much simpler.

[CGVet58]

this is an outstanding article; thank you for posting it.

[schaketo]

=== Cut === Paste === Email to Friends and Family ===

In the upcoming democratic primary (2004) ...

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Rev. Al Sharpton is officially running for president in 2004.

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Let’s help Crazy Al slap the donkey until it kicks.

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http://www.nass.org/Issues/04primaries.html

Check here for the rules governing primary voting in your state:
http://www.fec.gov/votregis/primaryvoting.htm

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http://www.al2004.org/BR>
Anyone need a bumper sticker or button?
http://democraticbuttons.freeservers.com/

How about an Al Sharpton yard sign?
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/victorystore00/pryasi.html

Want to keep up on the latest on Big Al’s progress? Go to the Republicans for Sharpton website at:
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1. Can I get a ride to the polls – help them spend their money during the primaries so they’ll have less during the national election. Have them take you the scenic route and stop off and do some shopping on the way home.
2. Are you giving anything away free for voting democrat? Cigarettes, box of cigars, box lunch, etc. Ask for two of each.
3. Send 25 cents in the mail to the DNC and watch how much they spend on mailing you to give to the party. Always send their solicitation back to them with all associated literature in the prepaid envelope included in the mailing. They have to pay that postage upon return. Great way to help them spend money and keep you up to date on their propaganda.

Democratic National Committee
430 S. Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003

Main Phone Number: 202-863-8000

Can you think of any other questions we should ask them?

=== Cut === Paste === Email to Friends and Family ===

[moneyrunner]

Thank you.