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
Questions? Comments?
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.
It's the only time the crusty old garde can find it.
Pretty funny.
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.
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.
btw: before you cry "bigot!" know that i'm a 1st generation american daughter of cuban immigrants.
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?
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.
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...
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.