Do You Agree with President Carter's Comments?

The answer is more complicated than the question. To suggest that racism plays no role would be naive, but there are other factors that should not be ignored. One thing is certain -- merely looking at changing poll numbers grossly oversimplifies these issues.

First, America is in the middle of a major cultural, ethnic and economic shift. Like it or not, our country is changing and we don't have much control over those changes on an individual level. Change -- even change you want or need -- can be scary. Some articulate these fears by saying: "I don't recognize my own country." So while racism is an ingredient, the underlying emotion -- as with all "isms" -- is fear.

Second, the anger that was simmering earlier this year when Americans had to focus on their personal survival, has now reached a boiling point. We've seen big banks, the auto industry and Wall Street get bailed out. CEO's at the top faced no real consequences, made no real sacrifices (still flying on private jets and meeting in Jackson Hole). Working people had to foot the bill and were forced to make tough choices like whether to repair the car that takes them to work or fix their child's teeth. A majority of Americans recognize that this is a situation President Obama inherited. The stimulus plan is starting to turn things around, but people are still angry so he bears the brunt of it.

Third, the right-wing (no longer a conspiracy) spin machine is cranked into high gear as part of a broad effort to discredit a Democratic president. We've seen this movie before: stall the agenda (healthcare = waterloo), lay as much blame on the Democrats as possible while abdicating any responsibility, attack the president's allies, friends and employees; spread lies as if they were true; and deny the office the respect it deserves. Fueling the fires of hate are none other than Lou Dobbs, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh.

Lastly, there is a generational component. Each generation has had a different experience of racism, having seen great advances made, but also a widening socio-economic divide for blacks as well as whites. President Carter is part of a generation that lived through profound change in race relations in our country. How could growing up under Jim Crow not have an impact on one's thinking? Just as coming of age in the 1980's when it was fairly rare to be mixed race has had a completely different impact on my own thinking. Our hope lies with the younger generation of voters under 30 who are more ethnically diverse and see themselves as more multicultural -- even global. Last year, for the first time in our nation's history, these younger voters came out in larger numbers than seniors did. We need to hear their voices now.

Follow Karen Finney on Twitter: www.twitter.com/finneyk

Comments

[ramsha]

If people do not see the intense racism in Joe Wilson's scream or his subsequent ranting, it is only because of a willful disregard of facts. If Joe Wilson was truly concerned that the healthcare reform as presented by POTUS would enable the illegal aliens to reap the benefits, he would have or should have called the WH to discuss the issue either before or after the speech. Or he would/ should have presented his concerns to the various committee members formulating the final Bill. Nobody prevented him from raising these issues of his concerns in a civil and appropriate and timely manner. It is obvious that he wanted to disrespect and bring down the highest office of our country more than the redress of his issues. It is clear that his outburst was due to his resentment of the person holding the office.

[itsmyparty]

If race is such an issue,how did President Obama get elected?There are many forms of prejudice.­None of them are good.And Carter,again-a one term president.­He needs to present facts,not opinion,if he wants anyone to accept his blanket pronouncements on the entire south.

[denicci1977]

The question about him being elected in irrelevant­...Those people following Glenn Beck and teabagging did not vote for the President.­....During the election there were many polls done on whites asking if they were not going to vote for the President because he was black and many said yes...even those polled that said they agree with some of the things he was saying but did not like his race...Tha­t is flat out racist and it is what we are seeing in these protests..­I'm not calling the legitimate ones who are worried about real issues racist, but anyone out there making remarks about his birth, his name, calling him Muslim, and anything else outside of policy are racists...­There is no disputing that period !

[itsmyparty]

There are racists.So­me are sexist.Age­ist.Presid­ent Obama was elected.Th­at is the fact.

[cr8f]

The main reason he was a on term president is he was an outsider and congress fought him every step of the way.

If his leadership had been followed we would not be driving earth killing SUV's today and wouldn't be fighting wars for oil.

He knows the south and has seen how far it has come but also sees what is left of the GOP needsracists for any chance to win anything.

[itsmyparty]

You site no proof for your views.I like to read the opinions of others,but I like proof too:-)

[valkyrie607]

I whole-heartedly agree with Carter and thank him from the bottom of my heart for articulating what I have been thinking myself ever since the beginning of the health care hysteria. We cannot ignore racism.

Avoiding the issue will only embolden the racists. I believe that white people who are anti-racist (people like me, in other words) need to step up to the plate and call out racism where they see it, just as Carter did. White people who are not actively anti-racist but also don't consider themselves racist need to come to terms with the fact that they may unintentionally do or say racist things. We live in a society whose history and culture are suffused with racial stereotypes, and many of these stereotypes are extremely damaging to people of color. Lack of evil intent does not erase the damage done when racist jokes or imagery pass by unchallenged. Being called a racist does not mean that you are an evil person. It just means that you are a product of your culture, and likely ignorant of what it is like to experience racism.

If someone tells you that what you said sounded racist, regard it as a favor, even as your heart speeds up and you find yourself stammering defensively. You have just been given the opportunity to effect real change.

[JustOhio]

Right on...Presi­dent Carter...

[itsmyparty]

And there is sexism to consider.A­nd the gays.Ageis­m.The list goes on.There is also the fact that any race can be racist.Tha­t isn't limited at all by skin color,ethnic origin.Afr­ican Americans can be racist too.People are just people.Som­e good.Some not so good.But a man was voted president of this country who identifies as African American.T­hat is a powerful thing.

[cr8f]

Really. How many black people have been killed in the south in the last 50 years? How many gays? How many women?

[itsmyparty]

You should look those figures up.Then you should prove why each death occurred.I­n that way,you would be proving something.­Making a case.

[charlietuna11]

america has now officially become a nation where one can become rich and famous merely by spreading bigotry, hatred and racism. (glen beck, rush limbaugh, sean hannity.) these hatemongers have a huge following. their considered to be patriotic and the face of real america. if we are not the dumbest, most ignorant, lazy country in the universe, please tell me who is. the best part is these cowards wouldn't put on a uniform if our country was being invaded. they talk tough, wave the flag sky high and know how to manipulate the religious right. the only thing they don't know is what a dd213 is. thats a military document issued to those who have been discharged honorbly. as i mentioned earlier, they have no idea what a dd213 is.......

[cr8f]

Well said.

[iwant2no]

K1dork, You say you were born in 1980 ? maybe that fact alone would explain your naivete! I do not understand Pres. Carter's remarks to say that all of the President Obama' opposition is based on race.
For you to discount all of the recent events of he past few weeks, well! [Dork ?]

[jazzycafe]

Thank you Karen for writing this very thoughtful, intelligent post. You are a calm voice of reason. I hope that lots of people out there take pause and consider why it is they feel angry, instead of just scapegoating.

[k1dork]

I'm black, and I don't agree with Carter.

I KNOW there are racists out there, but to label all opposition as being racist is intellectually LAZY because it automatically causes one to write off the arguments of that opposition.

"There are racists out there!" is the constant line these days from the left. Well, that assertion is no big revelation to me, or anyone else, and we're sick of it.

So what, if there are racists out there? There are also robbers, rapists, murderers, and sexists. That doesn't mean that we need to be in CONSTANT discussion about those social ills as well, does it?

Most people are NOT racists (even in the GOP) and most people don't feel the need to be in constant dialogue about it.

I was born in '80, so perhaps it is a generational thing, but I DON'T feel the need to harp on racism everyday just because there are FRINGE idiots in society who are racist.

[valkyrie607]

"to label all opposition as being racist is intellectually LAZY"...

Exactly.

Which is why this is such a popular strawman argument.

[itsmyparty]

k1dork--you agree with President Obama.Mayb­e he doesn't have to be a one term president;-)

[medici]

I wholeheartedly agree with President Carter. It had to be said, and it took a great man to step up and say it. BTW, I'm white.

[LanceThruster]

Do I agree?

Yes.

Wilson's sense of white privilege compelled him to break decorum (to the cheers of those also seeking to marginalize the president).

Good take on this from the Rude Pundit (see: http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2009/09/regarding-jimmy-carter-was-this-even-up.html )

and JR at DailyKos (see: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/17/783096/-Jimmy-Carter-knows-racists-when-he-sees-them. )

[MThomasNC]

Pres.Carte­r is correct. How can anyone challenge a white man from the south, who grew up the JimCrow world, that listened all his life to the overt and covert acts of racism. Resentment of minorities have always been there, just beneath the covers waiting to break out. McCain and Palin, especially Palin, stroked and shouted at them to rise up and they did. So McCain/Palin 'let those kooks out'.
Nobody can walk in another man's shoes and for Michael Steele, black man grew up in DC is clueless to the dynamics played in the white world behind closed doors, especially southern closed doors. We remember the famous 'Jesse Helms senate campaign against Harvey Gantt, black mayor of Charlotte". You had to be deaf and blind not to witness the overt and covert race cards that Helms played to stir up hate and resentment.
From day one, Obama got blame for the economy, the two wars, the housing meltdown, the lost of jobs. I heard many tv hosts saying 'when can we blame Obama for this or that problem. This is a 21st century lynching being perpetruated via politics and rheteric. No one should make excuses for these 25% wing-bats, call them what they are. Their behavior is ugly and non-productive to the country. I hope PresObama keep on pushing the majority of the people's agenda.

[itsmyparty]

Carter is one person.His "evidence"is anecdotal.

[TexasAggie05]

It is blindingly apparent one is losing the battle of ideas if they must resort to off-topic ad hominem attacks (like Joe Wilson and Jimmy Carter have done) and insinuate an ulterior motive for dissent other than a difference of opinion. Calling someone a racist is no different (some would argue even worse) than calling someone a liar. Calling someone a racist today is akin to calling them a communist during the 50's and 60's. It is the worst possible descriptor one can have attached to their name, group or movement.

When one's ideals blind them to the possibility of a logical alternative, it leaves them no choice but to fabricate an inauspicious motive on behalf of those in opposition to their views. Joseph McCarthy did this throughout the 40's and 50's with labeling the opposition as communists, and the left is doing it today. It is wrong and unless evidence is shown to indicate a racist mindset/motive, WE would do best to avoid this argument.

The name calling and the comparisons to Hitler don't make these "attacks" anymore appropriate or racist than the same (some would argue even more vociferous) attacks launched against Bush. Nobody would label them as racist and to default on that excuse now makes the labeling party seem inept at arguing the issues.

[BusGreg]

Comparing the attacks against Bush and Obama is akin to comparing apples to oranges. While Bush has been boo-ed during a joint address, so have Clinton and Poppy Bush. None of the former Presidents has been called a liar by a member of congress during an address in Congress or during a State of the Union.
Gasbag Wilson's outburst as well as much of the signage and rhetoric observed in the debate about health care is fueled by racism and Pres. Carter was right in his statement.

[TexasAggie05]

Were you in a cave for the past eight years? People burned HANGING images of Bush in effigy while crowds cheered in exalting approval.

Now, I'm not making the assertion that ALL those in opposition carry no racially biased motives, but to insinuate the "primary" reason for such opposition is Obama's race, is unfounded and inflammatory.

You're correct that Bush never had anybody verbally disrupt an address to a joint session of congress, but no evidence exists that Joe Wilson's opposition was inspired by a hatred for black men. No evidence whatsoever.

How is it that generalizations are so despicable when made in regards to an ethnicity and so acceptable when discussing people with similar ideals (which is only that of dissent)? It just doesn't add up.

[itsmyparty]

texas--well said.

[EbonBear]

Some of it is undoubtedly about race. The Birther thing, for example, is entirely about race. But whether it's all about race, I don't know. Rather, I wonder if much of this isn't the logical extension of the witch hunt of the Clinton years.

The GOP during the Clinton years had no interest in working with Clinton, only in destroying him by any means necessary; fair, foul or completely invented. During the Clinton years, the GOP shut down Congress effectively out of spite. Now, that's been extended so that if they can filibuster something, they will (this is the same bunch of hypocrites who wanted to eliminate the filibuster when they held power). And now, they've taken the same "STOP HIM!" approach to Obama, mixed it with traditional stupid people resentment of smart people and the rural/urban divide and ended up about two words away from outright treason.

Does race contribute to that? Sure, on some level. I'm certain the white supremacist idiots turn up to the rallies and Limbaugh is clearly racist. But whether this would be happening to a Democratic president with the exact same policies, I don't know.

[Elrancho2]

President Carter is right. He's speaking the truth and as uncomfortable as it may be for some people to accept, it is still the truth. I would estimate about 30% of whites in America are quite simply racist and have their fears and ignorance justified and articulated by Fox News and the right wing radio bigots. It's a very sick society.

[itsmyparty]

How about facts?Of course you have a right to your opinion,as does Carter.But that is all it is.