Exposing Racism: A Worthwhile Thing To Do

I was surprised by some of the comments that accompanied my recent post regarding the racially charged column in the Independent, on Long Island.

First, I don't see how anyone can ask, "Why reprint this? They pulled it from their website." So, essentially, leave it alone? Well, why bother doing anything worthwhile? Why vote? Why go to church or school? Why learn the violin or read a book? We expose racism, real racism, because it is a worthwhile thing to do. This was not written by some private citizen in a private communication. This man is the publisher of one of two important newspapers in that area.

Why reprint it after they pulled it and tried to hide it? Because I think people have every right to examine the editorial handiwork of this group of people. In that area, they are the mouthpiece of conservatives and Republicans. Don't you believe that conservatives and Republicans in the area have a right to try to influence what this paper does before the paper hurts the local conservative political agenda?

Second, people commented that I posted this to help Hillary. Although, if I spend some time trying to digest the X-Files logic of that, I might get it, right now I don't. Who am I supporting? Who cares. Who are you supporting?...that's all that counts.

Lastly, many comments attacked my depiction of East Hampton as a small town. Guess what...it is. I have lived in East Hampton since 1982 and bought my first home there in 1987. Although the Main Street section of the Village has been clearly "Aspenized", with high-end stores that bring too much 212 to the East End, East Hampton is most assuredly a small town. If you have never lived there year round, you would never understand

The town and Village governments are seated with people who are long-time residents of the area. In spite of the influx of overwhelming numbers of visitors every summer, none of those people do much more than spend money, give to charity, enjoy tennis, golf and the beach, then go home after Labor Day. Few of them even vote out there. The people who run the town are the year-rounders, the local people who bid the Summer people a hasty good-bye come Labor Day.

Also, the Republican party apparatus in the area is a bare-knuckle bunch, a dedicated and tough group who put forth their candidates each election and fight hard for them to win. Rick Murphy does not represent them. Murphy's article is not representative of the Republicans I know in East Hampton. Murphy wrote that article for the dozen or so other eighth-degree black-belt morons who read his column and who think he is on to something. Then, like a little punk, he tried to hide it and make it go away. They impeached Clinton for something like that.

My friends and neighbors in East Hampton, at its heart, a small town, deserve better than what Della Femina publishes.

Comments

[kl836]

Damn, why can't you be for one candidate and yet still be honest and fair to the other? I guess all this suspicion of Mr.Baldwin's motives are a sad reflection of politics in this country.

[BrooklynLager]

The problem with Baldwin's original piece is that you can ALWAYS find some idiot with a megaphone saying racist or sexist things. How you choose to represent it is the issue. Now Alec Baldwin has compounded his error by saying that that paper actually DOESN'T represent the views of East Hampton. So what exactly was his point then?

Racism is alive and well all over this country - and it isn't limited to commentary (and I use that term loosely) on the Democratic primary. People say despicable things every day, and you don't have to look very hard to find it. If your goal is to "expose racism", as you say it is, there's a whole lot more of consequence going on in Jena, Alabama.

I can see no other purpose in Baldwin's piece than to argue, in effect, "small town America hates Barack Obama", and undermine his candidacy. But all anyone has to do is turn on talk radio and find something equally hateful (and probably far more representative of the public at large) being said about Hillary Clinton, and extrapolate that as "what America thinks of Hillary".

[ersie37]

To think that ignoring racism will eliminate racism is naive and/or disingenuous. Over 20 years ago, President Reagan declared that racism was all but over. so in the past year you have things such as Don Imus and the Jena 6 and the Independent attack. Cancer doesn't go away by wishing.

[sagharbormo]

Will Della Femina make a change, fire the editor or retain him? Will that show us he is sorry as he claims, or he is forced to as advertizers drop the Independent?

"Change implies they know something, there's some action they're going to take, they're going to be different," says Jerry Della Femina, chairman of Della Femina Rothschild Jeary, an advertising agency.
"It's a wonderful word," he says. "Husbands and wives fight, and when the wife is packing up the husband says, `Don't leave! I'm gonna change!' Marriages stay together because people promise to change."--della femina

you too can write the editor of the larger paper in East Hampton, The Star. [e-mail]

[Classof89]

Mr. Baldwin is spot on with his views on this horrid situation. I get sick and tired of folks wanting others to believe "racism is in the past" and "let's move forward". Well it's hard to "move forward" when you're constantly reminded of it in everyday life.

Racism and the effects of it should be discussed in homes, schools, etc. That's the continuing problem. Racism is supposed to be a "taboo subject", and "if no one talks about it, it will go away". It is long overdue and time to get the skeletons out of the closet. Racism in the past is forever being repeated in the 21st century -- only now, the blatancy of it is shown in different ways. Constant dialogue needs to take place if you want to try and rid of it, then passing it on down to future generations.

Regarding newspapers (and the news in general), whatever happened to just "by-the-book, old-school" journalism? I don't always care to hear or read from people who are paid to opine, and I'm not a fan of fluff and the tell-me-what-I-want-to-hear foolishness (i.e., CNN, Fox News). All I want are honest facts, something's that's lost on today's society.

A note for voters and politicians: Before you decide on who to vote for, DEMAND the answers from delegates. Don't just accept their responses of "what" they're going to do once they get in office. We've all heard that same song time and time again. Empty promises once their foot is set in office. Demand that they explain "how" they are going to handle the issues (e.g., the economy, healthcare, jobs, etc.). For once, I want to hear a candidate state actual SOLUTIONS to the problems going on. I have yet to hear that from any candidate on either party.

[brobike42]

Good for you, Mr. Baldwin. You have my respect and admiration. Never forget, "coffee's for closers"

[wrabbitt]

The gap between the middle class and upper class has taken a back seat to another round of racial undertones. What about racial tensions in the elections? Will white people vote for Obama? Heres something to think about! With the small number of people who even bother to vote. What if all the Obama supporters of African-American background got together and all voted as a block? Who would get elected? Its to much of a bother to vote,and my vote won't matter so i don't bother. i took a poll of 20 friends. (not real scientific) But, 13 don't vote and two vote against each other. three women are voting for Hillary because shes female,(they don't watch the news because its depressing). my girl friend won't tell me. and i'm voting for none of the above. sad state of affairs!

[SCharb]

Keep up the good fight

[moodyring]

I completely agree, Alex.

[Ginzaman]

It's good that he's doing what he can to expose racism. Now, the bad news. The neocon MSM will never allow an honest, adult debate about race in America. Now it's down to Obama and Hillary. And already it's being manipulated to be the people of color vs. the whites.

If anybody can't see that you're not paying attention.

[MarkJohnHunter]

We had a racist letter to the editor printed in Alpena, Michigan about Obama. What does an apology mean after something like that? Here there was not even an apology. I am glad to read about racism being exposed with examples. Racism can flow as easily as any idea. Like the musical says, you have to be carefully taught to hate. Once racism is released, killing it is like getting mold out of a wall.

[townsurrl]

Alec, you've my respect. This time and as times before you put your mouth to a good use..
These people like Femina himself are true morons. This is one of those things a very unattractive /physically and intellectually/ man does to make him feel better about himself- putting other people down by all means..

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

"Second, people commented that I posted this to help Hillary. Although, if I spend some time trying to digest the X-Files logic of that, I might get it, right now I don't. Who am I supporting? Who cares."

I care Alec, and so do the people who read your blog. Why do I care? Because you are a public figure who is politically active and you are writing a blog that has exposure and influence. Since you contributed monetarily to the Hillary campaign for President, and have been a long time supporter of both Clintons, it's only natural to wonder whether you were implying that small town America won't elect a black President. Since Hillary Clinton and her surrogates have been accused of using race as a divisive way of branding Obama into the "black candidate", it stands to reason if you support Clinton, then your piece could be seen as a way to make Democrats fearful of racists. That's not x-files logic, it's a legitimate question.

I don't think there's anything wrong with exposing racism or reprinting the pulled article. What I find disappointing is the timing of your piece. Perhaps it was merely a visceral reaction to seeing something so blatantly racist. Only you know what your intent was - which you merely dismissed in a trivial non-committal way. While there is rabid racism in this country (and all over the world, for that matter) your piece exposed something you missed: The publisher and writer are Republicans, yes? They dissed all three Democratic candidates in that article. I would be willing to bet that anyone who chooses not to vote for Obama in a general election, because they are racist, is most probably already a Republican. Racism often goes hand in hand with other hate - Liberal hate, sexism and homophobia. Hate is often a proud hallmark of Republicans. They use hate and fear in every election. Those "hating" Republicans aren't exactly going to come out and vote for Hillary in the general election.

[EvaDee]

Although appalling to read, so very glad you posted the article. How could anybody have read it and not been outraged nor done something about it? I am glad you did. Thanks Alec.

[janmB]

RACISM will never go away as long as people keep talking about it and making it an issue.
If its out of sight of the conversation then its out of mind.