Note to Newt: How "New Racism" Isn't Like "Old Racism"

Old white guys can be a funny bunch, can't they? The same anti-same-sex marriage, anti-affirmative action cadre can flower into the biggest supporters of "equality" the minute they get a whiff of minority empowerment.

To that end, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is accusing Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor of being a "new racist" because of a line she delivered in a speech back in 2001. Sotomayor is quoted as saying: "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

Reasonable.

Unless you're, like, an aging geezer peaking out of your window at those scary dark-skinned people who just bought the house across the street. Then all your shriveled up little ears hear is a supposed corollary to Sotomayor's statement which is -- according to Newt -- "My experience as a white man makes me better than a latina woman" to which he added, "New racism is no better than old racism."

By the way, thanks for coming to the party late on that denouncement of "old racism."

But here's the deal, Newt, your "new racism" isn't like "old racism" 'cause "old racism" tended to involve things like shackles, and whips and the Middle Passage. Attack dogs, Billy clubs and water hoses. Burning crosses and lynch mobs. Confederate flags, liquor and screams of "Kill the (fill in pejorative here)!" "Old racism" was red lining and segregating and "whites only" drinking fountains, schools and country clubs. It was The Dred Scott Decision, Executive Order 9066, and the Trail of Tears. "Old racism" was a blind eye and "all deliberate speed" that wasn't deliberate or particularly speedy and nonsense about the sanctity of marriage which was crap when it was applied to "race laws" and is crap when applied to "one man/one woman."

"New Racism?" That's apparently a Latina openly talking about how "more often than not" she would like to avoid the "conclusions" that allowed "old racism" to thrive. That's a long way from getting your ass beat for trying to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge so maybe your kids might one day enjoy the right to vote.

The fact that Newt would even attempt to compare "old racism" and "new racism" only proves Sotomayor correct in saying that experience based on fact is very different than that based on perception.

Newt, seriously, anytime you want to swap racisms give me a call.

For more perspective please visit www.thatminoritything.com

Comments

[ZIPCODE]

The Indiana State Department of Health recently cut gay white men as an HIV/AIDS funding priority. African-American and Hispanic men who have sex with men are still included as priority populations.

Questions? Comments?

[tre 03]

Maybe it has to do with the percentage of this demographic affected.

[classicalgregg]

I say shame on everyone for even paying attention to Gingrich and Limbaugh. Why on earth let them frame the debate? Sotomayor is no more racist than my dearly departed [caucasian] mother who at 90 said, "We are never going to get anywhere in this world as long as a bunch of old white men run the government." Which is pretty close to what Sotomayor was saying.

[BlueFloyd]

I found it funny that newt would remind us all of "old racism". He is an authority on that subject.

[ZIPCODE]

Yes! as a history professor he knows truckloads more than a simpleton, such as yourself!

[InstantDogma]

And yet the Grateful Dead still suck.

[Bndrdndat]

The hew and cry that litigiously started with "Bakke" is now accelerating amongst thw white male conservative elites. They are starting to recognize that within their lifetimes (for some of them) this country will become a majority of "Brown" from a population standpoint. The white male elite will still hold the majority of power for a while but only for a short while. I wonder if the existing laws of affirmative action will then apply to the white minority. Or better yet, maybe we will not need affirmative action laws and regulations, becasue by then we will have learned to respect one another as human beings.

[ENOS]

You claim that by the time Whites become a Minority here, "will have learned to respect one another as human beings."

It doesn't take White people for Racism to exist.

There are cases of racially driven acts of genocide in Africa carried out by one race of black Africans against another, even to this day!

Racism, violence, oppression is a human trait. It exists in us all and is magnified by power. In all positions of power, by all races, injustices have occured.

[Bndrdndat]

I said "we will not need affirmative action..." Not white as you indicate but all of us. You seem a bit defensive, maybe angry? Is it OK if I agree with you and state that racism does exist amongst all of us? My statement is also true. Maybe I should have stressed that those in power generally tend to abuse (racism?) those with less power. In the modern USA that means that the Euro (white) have held sway and now that is changing. I would hope that the "browning" of the USA will also bring about a moderation of racist attitudes HERE - not all over the world. I recognize that it is possible that some in the new :brown" power elite may want some "payback" and I imagine that scares the current "white" power structures, hence their angst. I hope it does not come to that.

[gettingitright]

Ridley is not conceding there is, in fact, a "new racism", hence the quotation marks. You guys are interpreting this concept to mean "reverse racism" or another degree or shade of racism. Racism is racism, not old or new. That's what tongue and cheek is. The whole "new" versus "old" is tongue and cheek. He is pointing out the absurdity of people like Newt, Rush, et. al. crying racism because Sotomayor made a comment that perspective matters. They don't see blatant racism, but are quick to brand themselves as victims of racism after a tortuous interpretation of the judge's comments.

[mjtaylor22]

forgot to mention how she prefaced her point and how she ended by sayiNG that she always strove to be more than her overall experiences

[Justwonderingy]

Always take the part that incites instead of the entire idea as a whole. Do what needs to be done in order to aggravate the people. This is just like sound bytes. I would like to see somebody critique the ENTIRE speech, not just a few words.....­..........­.

[ediva75]

Excellent analysis Mr. Ridley and DEAD THE HELL ON!!!

[kathy001]

LOL! I agree!!

[factotem]

Doncha know? ...racism only exists in non-white people.
It's the only time the crusty old garde can find it.

Pretty funny.

[PCMinistry]

So let me see if I understand. So basically degrees of racism are what matter. Old racism conjures images of burning crosses and lynch mobs and new racism is apparently Sonia Sotomayer making an only slightly prejudiced comment. So since one is so much more horrific than the other you can raise images of seperate water fountains, billy clubds and water fountains and I am supposed to go on with this attitude that certain people...even when up for one of the most sensitive and important jobs in the country...should not be heavily scrutinized. Mostly because of her gender, and her race. You can admit that can't you? After all it's only New Racism Lite.

Using heavy language, and presenting haunting images and supporting racism lite is the path to a better braver and happier world; I can just feel it. Newt said "New Racism is no better than old racism". You eloquently proved him wrong and at the same time made new racism that much more acceptable. I sense that this is the way great men have changed the world.

[Andrea Castillo]

Heh, seconded.

[IGNSTHMD]

me two

[Heru1]

There is no 'new racism', there is no 'racism lite', there is only continuing white racism.

[PCMinistry]

Only continuing white racism? I don't know about "only". It's definitely the most prevalent. Since whites have the most power they have the most occasion to exert it and thus prolong their power. But to say it stands alone is slightly myopic.

[andvoodoo2]

Racism extends across ALL ethnic and racial groups. If you truly believe "there is only continuing white racism", then you are hopelessly blind.

[ENOS]

There are cases of racially driven acts of genocide in Africa carried out by one race of black Africans against another, even to this day!

Racism, violence, oppression is a human trait. It exists in us all and is magnified by power. In all positions of power, by all races, injustices have occured.

[GOBsaysCOMEON]

Jeremiah is at it again.

[kathy001]

Sotomayor's remark was not, in the least, prejudiced. Read the entire transcript of the speech, it's widely available on the Internet. You are mistaking talking points for facts.

[hankelvis]

Fact is Democrats own the prize for old racism in Washington. It seems to me that they are just against anything CNN tells them to be against. Responding to the truth with personal attacks is blind hatred. Newt is a fair guy that just happens to be on the hate list. I hope that some of you will realize that television alone is shaping the sociology of this country. If you hate Jews and Christians and old white dudes, then you are the pot calling the kettle black. Be honest enough to admit that this country is split due to aggressive politics manipulating a collusive media. Aspiring "blogger/reporters" would take heed that although negative reporting, devoid of meaningful research, is easier than unbiased journalism, it is not the best way to showcase ones craft or gain notoriety.

[care4mypeeps]

hankelvis when you have life experiences that confirms racism from varies facests of society then you have the expertise to speak with conviction of its origin in your life and the pattern it follows.

Newt has "NO" credibility and he is morally bankrupt. I can speak with certainty that the Republicans are a bigoted organization run by old white guys whom if you traced their ancestry would find that their ancestors were slave owners with a few children they fathered by female slaves in their care.


I don't need the News Media to define my story I have lived it and take issue with All the Apologist who excuse away racist behavior and throw up reverse racisim to squeeze out what little minorities who are qualified to get ahead as the testing they put forth for promoting these workers
have been scewed to favor whites.

Talk until you are blue in the face but the races that you try to surpress has risen to the top thats why the GOP is foaming at the mouth.

[Andrea Castillo]

if they've "risen to the top", then how has the republican party oppressed them? i think its time to stop playing the victim and start taking responsibility for one's own actions.

btw: before you cry "bigot!" know that i'm a 1st generation american daughter of cuban immigrants.

[ENOS]

Is it Racism that you oppose, or just the specific act of your race being surpressed? You seem to take honor is surpressing the "old white dudes"

[ZIPCODE]

care4mypeeps

You are a pathetic excuse for a human being!

And apparently no amount of action affirmative or otherwise can help you!

(I just figured since you were recklessly throwing around your opinion, that i'd throw mine around!)

[smiththomas]

This guy does not even consider reverse racism. I understand what she meant in her speech. I do not hold that against her, but that in conjuction with the fire fighter case makes me fear an attitude of reverse discrimination. As i said without an idea of revese discrimination makes this guy an extremist.

[Nardwilly]

You are saying that anybody that to you does not seem to understand reverse discrimnation can exist is an extremist. The fire fighter case in New haven is not as clear as you seem to believe. As I understand it the decision by the New Haven city council was based on their understanding of the law. They were not trying to limit opportunity for whites. Under the old racism, as John, points out one race would have not been taking he test at all. Or there would not be a test. This case is not reverse racism.

Real reverse discrimnation would occur when black people with power prevented white people without power from doing something they want to do based on race. I understand the concept but I have never seen it happen. Where has that happened in the USA?

[Andrea Castillo]

The 19 whites and 1 hispanic in the Ricci case are the plaintiffs. This has nothing to do with blacks getting a chance to take or pass the test, this case applies specifically to those individuals who passed the test on 3 different occasions and were still denied the promotion because of their skin color. So really, the case is centered around "normal" discrimination, not "reverse", only their skin happens to not be black.

[smiththomas]

You are correct, I do believe that someone that does not believe that reverse discrimination can exist is an extremist. Also, I do not understand the fire fighter case stopping the result of the promotion testing.

[EDGAR45]

Newt who????

[thedirtman]

Synergy is not racism.

Sotomayor is a proponent of diversity. With diversity one can become a team member and bring unique life experiences that do add to a group with synergy. Obviously, Sotomayor's claim isn't one made in the spirit of racism. It is one made in the spirit of diversity and synergy. Sotomayor isn't just okay. She did not mispeak. What she said was perfect.

As an aging white male I hope that I can contribute to the new synergy as well.

[Andrea Castillo]

Sure, minorities should be welcome at the table. But they're more than capable of doing it by their own merit, without this "affirmative action" mentality mindset.

[Heru1]

Funny but unsurprising how you gramatically distinguish yourself from "minorities".

[IGNSTHMD]

there should be no need for the likes of affirmative action the presences of mind that needs for reconciliation has coudled the patriarchy that housed institutions such as slavery, racism and malfeaseance which has thoroughly debilitated blacks in particular and our nation as a whole.

[thedirtman]

Of course minorities are capable. However, the question is what would we prefer. Would we prefer serfdom for our people, where people are motivated by the fear that they will live their lives in isolation and despair? Or would we prefer a community for our people, where people are motivated by the bonds of a relationship. I would accept nothing less than a community. I say let's break down the walls of separation, raise ourselves up to a level where we can stand in dignity together.

[ainsleyburrows]

Newt and his good old boys are really funny...
I will not fall for the new Racism bull...there is no new racism...
Only racism...a Racism that says the supreme court is not a place for people of color...

It has always been that way newt...and I know you want to keep it that way...but sad as it may sound you and your type are on their way out...

[Andrea Castillo]

umm...you do realize that clarence thomas was appointed by bush 41?

[TomInJax]

Sure he was. And he's barely to the left of Bork, and pretty even with Scalia, in his thinking. And by the way. You know Alito basically said the same thing in referencing being the child of immigrants and that it would effect his thinking. I don't have the exact quote, but why demonize her.

And you seem like a bright person, don't you realize she'll be confirmed. She's actually highly qualified. And as for the fire fighter case, the panel voted unanimously to let the cities action stand. Not really setting any kind of precedent. Over turning the cities ruling would be precedent.

[DragonFly]

Thumbs up, Mr. Ridley.