Racism and Sexism

Those who hate America-- and it is a very large contingent-- must be jubilant as they simply prolong the wars while letting Americans and their diatribes against one another -- destroy themselves.

Case in Point: Rosanne Barr. In her on stage tirade this week she used the phrase, "Obama, Osama." When I was in the South recently, I heard this same obscenity used by people I once considered to have pretty good heads on their shoulders. I'm a journalist and I believe in free speech. But when does language go so far it is tantamount to yelling fire in a crowded theatre? I cannot believe anyone who compares a strong, intelligent, articulate presidential candidate to the most renowned terrorist in the world is doing anything but looking for attention at the expense of a country already torn apart.

In the south, in a small Texas town, there stands an oak tree that covers the lawn in front of a plantation style courthouse. On that enormous tree is a plague that reads, "Old hanging tree." Instead of being ashamed of a painful history, it is celebrated. So here is my point.

As some people in this country desperately want to have a "first" in the White House, we cannot throw around incendiary comments that will lead to more racism and more sexism. I covered the Rodney King riots -- I also watched the Anita Hill testimony and covered the O.J. Simpson trial. Remember how black was turned against white and men against women?

As we reach for a historical first in the White House, let's not feed the prejudices of the past. In journalism many put the desire to be first before the responsibility to be accurate. If this is what being first will bring us -- inaccurate, pejorative statements -- then we need to remember this country is broken apart already, and the time for concern about who makes history should perhaps be continued for another episode at another time. Better still, what if the two "firsts" could be unselfish enough to join forces and show the world what kind of selflessness was needed when this once great country was founded.

With two wars in the Middle East, domestic programs in chaos, and our children's futures sold for military might -- igniting racism and sexism could surely push us right over the top into self destruction. There will be no need for terrorists to work to destroy us, we will destroy ourselves.

Final note: Roseanne Barr apologized -- not for the Obama rhyme, but for accusing Oprah Winfrey of not having Hillary on her show. Apparently Hillary was already scheduled.

My, my, my.

Comments

[Nutcase]

You wrote, "As some people in this country desperately want to have a "first" in the White House."

I am concerned about priorities. With the mess that Bush is leaving, cleaning up that mess, changing the direction of the country and mending fences abroad should be at the top of everyone's list. But, as your comment shows, lots of people find an 'historical' first as more important. This is the mind of a Stepford Wife. It is superficial in political terms. It is image politics. It is a distraction. It is beside the point.

It is ironic that you would speak in terms of racism and sexism. If someone refuses to vote for a particular candidate because of gender or race, that person is a racist or sexist. What is being ignored is that anyone voting for someone because of their gender or race is likewise a racist or a sexist. Showing favoritism to one person because of race or gender puts others at an unfair disadvantage. It is discrimination, pure and simple.

These people will deny it. They will try to find excuses, such as the candidate's policies or character or experience or hope. That is actually nothing but bullshit.

[kellygrrrl]

who needs to worry about other people HATING us when there is so much HATE right here in America?

What I don't understand is how people can call themselves Christian and teach Pure Hate to their children.

I hear so much of it coming from the mouths of these kids, and you know they learned it at home and they think it's OK, it's normal.

I'd like to believe the racist, sexist, homophobic bigots are a dying breed. I imagine they have one maybe two generations to go before Humanity evolves past them.

YES, I said Evolution!!!!!!! It's a beautiful thing.

[kennyinvirginia]

I think it would be a great idea if Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton joined forces--whoever wins the nomination choose the other for their running mate. That would be great and, I think, a winning team. Yes, you will hear negatives from both sides up until it's clear who will win the nomination--that is nearly a given in any race, at least all the ones I've witnessed. I am tired, though, of the Clintons getting blamed for everything negative or brought about in not such a flatterig light about her opponents. This is politics, folks, and I see nothing here I've not seen in the past. Personally, I'm glad its is so close--that also shows you how popular they both are within the party.

[Purpladi34]

Please. One thing for sure, both will never go away but I would prefer someone be straight up with me instead of trying to pretend that they care....

Democratic Party is a pretender. Just like Hillary got her voice, well I got my eyesight. Now, I see what the Democratic Pary is all about. Blacks need to stay in there place and just vote for white folks.

[Fairfloss]

The Clinton's are just desperate to win. They are as ruthless as they come and you can NOT distinguish one from another. They think they are a team, should they get into the Oval Office they will make "War of the Roses," the movie, look like child's play.

This is a new frontier we are now entering into, a Woman, whose husband is a former President and the first young man of color.

We should explore this new frontier carefully.

All this, so called racism and sexism is a distraction. If it is intentional or not is yet to be examined.

On the other side, we have a Mormon businessman, a quite elderly war hero, a former mayor with a colorful back ground and a Evangelical Preacher/governor.

We the people, instead of bickering and playing partisan politics, should rationally be examining each ones record and where they stand on all issues.

We SHOULD throw party loyalties out of the window and do what is right for this country of ours.

Those who VOTE strictly by political party, are non-thinkers. They HURT this country.

The Clintons have already had their eight years, it is time for some thing new.

[1will]

I have a few points to make.
(1) If you don't like a candidate then you tend to bring up bad things about them. Obama's name rymes with Osama. What a suprise that someone might use the two together. No one really believes that Obama is a terrorist despite the author's hysteria. The next time Bush is compared to Hitler and Conservatives are routinely called racists, sexists, homophobes or even retards I hope the author jumps in with another column.
(2) The author never wrote about why the 'Hanging Tree' should be something to be ashamed of. Is it a place where murderers had their sentence carried out or a place where innocents were lynched. There is a bit of a difference between the two.
(3) Just because we are likely to have a 'First' in the White House doesn't mean citizens have lost the right to free speech. We can and will criticize our politicians. Sometimes that involves name calling.

[acg1]

Well said. It is really sad that the two
candidates can't focus on the issues and stop bickering. I would love to hear a serious discussion as to how they plan on solving the many problems that face this country. John Edwards is beginning to stand out as the serious candidate.

[jnuno]

The Democratic party has racism and sexism? I am shocked for it was supposed to embrace tolerance and diversity. Those forms of oppression we are led to believe only exist in the Republican party.

I find it to be extraordinarily remarkable (and laughable) that the back and forth fighting between the Republican party presidential candidates is over political philosophy while the supposed all inclusive Democratic party are squabling about race, the color of skin, and allegations that a candidate is either not black enough or is too black. The Democrats also foolishly & seriously question and debate whether Bill Clinton was the first black president or not. And then of course Obama unleashes a racist comment on national television the other night when he said he had to "investigate Bill Clinton's dancing abilities...before he could declare him a Brother" and everyone laughs (that is unless the remark was uttered by a Republican). How absurd is that?

The Democrats are in denial about racism in their own party.

[RepublicanBrain]

Yes, the prejudices of the past are bad. However, prejudice of any kind is bad. However, today's racism and sexism carries with it another form. There is prejudice against white, against men. Preferential treatment like affirmative action, the assumption of guilty in the Duke "rape" case, and how the stripper got off scot-free by lying to the police and obstructing justice for a year.

Let's end the racism and sexism of the present. The only way to treat people as equals is to do exactly that.

[Countess]

The Clintons and their not to bright supporters are using race and sex in order to win. The problem is they are too dumb or uncaring to realize the damage they are doing.

[Nommo]

Perhaps if one could point to a time when racism and sexism did not figure into the making of the history of the realm. It is just way too easy to go there for having never gone anywhere else.