The Pointlessness of the Racism Debate

The question of whether or not some of the attacks on President Obama are racist is not likely to end anytime soon. There is little that can be done to persuade some supporters of President Obama that comparing the African American president to a witch doctor is not racist, or that the disrespect shown to Obama during his address to congress on health care would not have been on display if the president had been white. Similarly, critics of the president will continue to insist that this is simply all about the issues and that race has nothing to do with it.

Part of the difficulty is that on issues of race, there is a deep, but usually unspoken disagreement which runs through most of America. A substantial proportion of Americans see racism as something that is firmly in the past. This originates both from justifiable pride in how far we have come in this area, but unfortunately also prevents many people from recognizing or confronting the racism that still persists. Another large group of Americans sees racism as an ongoing problem which is less acute than a generation or two ago, but has certainly not gone away. The tension between these two views is apparent whenever a racial incident occurs; and it seems like half the country cries racism while the other half accuses the first half of playing the race card.

It is reasonably obvious that some of the attacks on President Obama will always be motivated by racism, but it is equally apparent that attributing all criticism to racism, something that Barack Obama, as both candidate and president, has never done, would be wrong. As such, the racism debate servers little real purpose. Nobody is going to be convinced. Nor is anybody is going to stop or change their behavior or their accusations.

The debate about racism is currently being used by the right wing to distract from the important issue of health care reform. The last week, during which we all talked more about whether or not Joe Wilson is a racist than about the merits of Obama's proposed reform or the speech with Wilson so vulgarly interrupted, was, in the context of the extraordinarily low bar that party has set for themselves, a good week for the Republicans.

Opponents of the president are being a little disingenuous demanding, correctly, that it should be possible to disagree with Obama on the issues without being called a racist, while eschewing any serious discussion of the issues, unless organizing supporters to shout down elected officials and call opponents Nazis qualifies as a discussion of the issues.

The phony outrage expressed by some on the far right when confronted with charges of racism is motivated by a broader, and more powerful, attempt to pillory Obama, not for the color of his skin, but for being part of the liberal elite. On right wing talk radio, the blogosphere and Fox News, in recent years any talk of racism is dismissed as elitist nonsense from people who are out of touch with, as Bill O'Reilly eerily calls them, "the folks." This is a potent line of attack that is consistent with all the other efforts the Republican Party and the right wing have made to mobilize their base to attack Obama as aggressively and nastily as possible.

The more important issue is, as Nancy Pelosi pointed out in her recent comments about San Francisco in the 1970s, the tone of political dialog in the US. This may or may not have anything to do with race, but it is still troubling. It is a real break with our past that a member of Congress feels comfortable yelling "you lie" at the president in the middle of a formal speech to Congress, or that it is no longer necessary for officials from the opposition party to show outrage when the President of the United States is called a Nazi. By drawing attention to that, Pelosi is making a valuable contribution to the dialog, but don't be surprised to hear Republican members of Congress start attacking Pelosi and accusing her of implying that they are all like Dan White.

My point here is not that the attacks on Obama are not racist; it is pretty clear that some are racist. However, it is far less clear what supporters of the president gain from making this argument. It is extremely difficult to convince somebody that racism exists when they don't want to see it. Moreover, nothing would change if this effort were successful. The right wing and much of the Republican Party have made it clear these last few months that they will stop at almost nothing to cripple the Obama presidency, which indicates that even if they were persuaded that they were racist, they probably wouldn't stop.

Comments

[SheldonHall]

Our problems are not about racism; our problems are about bigotry. Bigotry knows no race; there are white bigots, and black bigots, and yellow bigots, etc. The intolerance, and narrow-mindedness of the bigot knows no bounds, and is the root cause of hatred in this world, and hatred will destroy our civilization.

The classical way to destroy an existing civilization is to pit citizen-ag­ainst-citi­zen. This is done by fulminating bigotry between differing groups:

1) Promote race hatred. We've already seen how easy it is to fulminate racism in this country.

2) Promote religious intolerance (bigotry). This is also an easy target in this country. Just raise the abortion issue, or declare that you want to remove "In God WE Trust" from our money.

3) Promote class warfare. Raise taxes on the middle/working class to support a nonworking class, and call it a Health Care Plan. And demonize the wealthier class by criticizing huge annual bonus' . This cuts across all classes.

We live in dangerous times.

[opines]

If the South had won the Civil War, or if it had not taken place, Slavery would still exist there. No aspiring politician in the slave states could have won on a platform of ending their beloved institution.

George Bush carried every Southern State in the 2004 election. The only Old Confederacy states Obama won were North Carolina and Virginia. Part and parcel of the Southern Strategy which was the GOP's winning formula from Nixon to Bush II was (wink, wink) keeping Blacks in their place.

The unexpected victories of Obama over Hillary and McCain, neither of whom were any threat to continuation of the Southern dominance, for the first time since the assassination of JFK has returned the power of the Presidency to the North.

A battle over who controls the levers of power in the World's Only Superpower is the main battle. Racism is a tactic in that war, pushed front and center by Obama's skin color..

[gaebolgaes]

is it just me..or has everyone else noticed that these teabagger, deather and birther gatherings are all white...all crazy and all lies?

[GrainOSand]

The best way to defeat a racist mindset it to contradict everything it stands for...in being, in accomplishment...in approach. The greatest fear by racists...of Mr. Obama's proposals, is not the national debt, taxes, socialism, or anything having to do with public policy. The thing that keeps the racist up at night is a successful President Obama whose success cannot be denied, is widely acknowledged, and cannot be decried. Thus, witness the meanderings and the wanderings in darkness, of those who bring not an open mind and heart to the table of one nation, one country, one people, but a divisive and fearful heart and mind, a hateful indoctrination based on fear.

Race as debate is a waste of time, a distraction, a ploy. However, it is as real as broken self-esteem fomenting early failure to develop. It is as real as overflowing jails. It is as real as a mindset of "I can't do it!". It is as real as a fifty percent dropout rate. It is as real as it is when one is confronted by “it” and is no longer afforded the comfort of “bubble denial”. It is as real as the bullet holes in an innocent bystander on a ghetto street. To be silent and to perform, yes, we applaud, and we participate, and we mark our own progress. Never forget that John Henry beat the machine -- but he died doing it. Silence is deadly.

[Pyrum]

What success? Sure, he was successful in being elected president in the first place, but how successful has his administration been so far? Last I heard, Obama's approval ratings were down, not up.

Admit it, people are turned off by Obama's policies, not his race.

[DonRoberto]

President Obama's policies survey higher than Congress, the town hall disruptions, the Republican Party, teabaggers, Joe Wilson, or the anti-reform movement.

Some people are going to be turned off by anything Fox News, Glenn Beck, Ron Paul, and the other loonies say they're against. So what's your point?

[DonRoberto]

The only "debate" I am hearing about racism is among folks from the center and left. As someone once said, it's hard to have a debate until your opponent quits spitting on you.

Having said that, where is the principled leadership of the opposition? For that matter, who *are* the leaders of the GOP? Are the organized hate accusations, ad hominem attacks, and absurdist conspiracy theories of the tinfoil hat brigade the work of the GOP? And if not, why are the "official" leaders of the GOP so silent on these topics?

The remains of the GOP are playing a dangerous game. Now that they've let the genie out of the bottle, they may find it hard to contain. The middle class won't find it so easy to forgive them once the real fireworks start.

[Yellowstonedemocrat]

Sorry, Lincoln Mitchell, but we still have to make the argument. You simply CANNOT ignore these rotten people. They get even louder and crazier when we pull one of our "nice guy liberal" moves and just ignore them. They MUST be rebutted, and forcefully.

[Pyrum]

I'm not worried. By the time Obama's done, the ecomony will have collapsed and there will no longer be a middle class.

[DJBrunner]

But let us be fair and give credit where credit is due, the elimination of the middle class started with Reagan and by the time Bush was finished the middle class was on life support.

[DonRoberto]

Any opportunity for a dig or an insult, eh, Pyrum?

You say the economy will collapse, and there will no longer be a middle class, yet you're "not worried"?

You are indeed a prime example of what's wrong with the country. Thanks for illustrating this for me.

[arktig]

Thanks for the great article. The race card is the coward's card. When the arguments lack in substance they are poisoned with race. Both parties continuously play on racial feelings in order to distract from the real issues. Both parties are corrupt. First and foremost, we have to focus on corruption and how to get rid of it. For me, a politician who plays the race card immediately becomes one of the corrupt ones. I have figured out quite a few sellouts this way.

[THISTLE]

The Repubican Party is defined by their racism. They play the race card over and over,
and they win with it. "Willy Horton" put Daddy Bush into the White House.
Bush Jr. played it in South Carolina - using John McCain's adopted black daughter,
and sliming McCain and his wife. McCain did not stand up for his adopted daughter
or his wife. It was used against Harold Ford in a sleazy commercial.
And it works for them every time, because everyone knows the Republican Party is
all about racists. They dominate their party. The Repubicans can NEVER win on
issues - they win on LIES, SMEARS and FEARS. Nothing is too low for them, too base,
too vile - nothing. And sadly, very sadly, when they use the race card - they win.

[Bladernr1001]

I knew this would happen. A black man is elected President.....this is great. It shows that we as a society have moved forward on diversity and racism in general.

But I knew that once Obama started trying to implement his leftist agenda his supporters would label anyone opposing them as racists. This was predicted and the prediction came true. As reliable as the sunrise.

He campaigned as a slightly left of center moderate....that is why he got elected...he appeared to be aligned with the center for the most part. But now that he is actually trying to veer pretty far left in carrying out his agenda you had to know that would bring opposition. This is not what we thought we were voting for. It has nothing to do with the color of his skin.

[gaebolgaes]

so what you are saying is that if obama pushed a right-winged agenda..everything would be all well and good in your little rapidly shrinking racist ..glenn beck...rush limberger world. the edomites and their hatred of black hebrews was prophesized as well as the reversal when those who went into slavery in ships will be returned in ships. we will see how well the sons of esau do then.those of your ilk are as easy to read as a dick, jane and sally primer. all one need do is think of the worst things a person could say...and the worst behavior a person could exibit..and voila! you never let us down.

[Bladernr1001]

I guess you agree with my post because you did not respond to it....you went off on some tangent the point of I am not really sure of.

[MoeB]

Where are the logical non-bigoted people on the right? The real issue here for me at this point is why aren't these folks calling out these bigots and telling them they have no place at their rallies? Why aren't they saying they have no place in their political party? This will continue as long as people on the right continue to placate these folks because they care more about votes than civility amongst americans.

It's not like those who are bigots and possible racists are wearing signs SAYING so...which means, you probably wouldn't just be able to hand pick them out of these crowds. That means you must address THE ENTIRE CROWD, with the hopes that someone in that crowd will speak out when they hear bigoted/racist comments, or see overtly racist signs.

[sdskelton03]

Racism will never be gone because too many people make too much money of it. Racism will never be gone because too many politicians get elected by peddling it.

[MoeB]

Sooo...do you think racism EVER existed? And if so, at what point did it end (well, with the exception of those who make "money" off of it and those who get elected by "peddling" it)???

1972?
1988?
2005?
1960?

[TheGripester]

Examples of overt racism:

• The claims that Obama's presidency inherently attacks white people (Rush: "In Obama's America, white kids being beat up while black kids cheer them on..." GOP questionnaires: "Are you concerned that health care rationing could lead to a quota system...on the basis of race...?" Beck: "Obama has a deep-seated hatred for white people and white culture.").

• Images of Obama in white face paint, dressed as a witch doctor, and other such images.

It IS happening, in a small but visible and ugly way. But I do not believe that the majority of protests against the administration are race-based. And I refuse to accept the accusation that everyone on the left claims that every whiff of protest is racially motivated. Overemphasizing the nature of the racial debate may not be racist in itself, but it certainly is demagoguery. Demagoguery - that means pretending to speak for the people while promoting one's own political or self interest. Please stop pretending that no one in the debate is racist, or that everyone on the left is accusing everyone on the right of racism.

Btw, the LaRouchies are technically left-wing, so Obama is getting fringe racist attacks from both sides. But it's fringe, okay? Let's get back to the health care debate now, please.

[MrWebster]

It is a factor, but the problem is that elements on both sides want to make it thee only factor. It is a tool used by the ruling elites both to motiviate certain elements, and to also divide those who would attempt to work together against the ruling classes. On the left, there are those who only see through the prism of race, and divide the left in that the focus gets off the ruling elites and onto leftist version of "culture wars" over race.

The GOP and large elements of the right wing have as one of the core systems what some have called "white nationalism" which is not Jim Crow racism and not mired in beliefs in white supremacy. White nationalism sees whites as an embattled "ethnic group" among oither competing groups. It is to this, for example, that Rush played to on commenting on the beating of white student on a bus. Rush didn't say "return to JIm Crow", but said "hey, my people are being beaten over their racial background." I think may commentators and pundits do not see this new aspect of race and simply repeat critiques out of the 60's,

[fishstones]

The position espoused by this author has rendered impossible coalitions between liberal whites and racial minorities for more than a century. Racial minorities are supposed to back-burner their concerns for the sake of: the democratic party, civility, harmony, class solidarity, overall liberal agenda, etc. Funny thing is: most who call for this sacrifice don't themselves EVER pursue racial justice agendas, regardless. What should racial justice advocates and the victims of white supremacist politics and history make of this?

[damilitantone]

I didn't realize that I would get so many responses to my earlier comment. Seems that some folks don't want to talk about racism because it makes folks uncomfortable. Well I was pretty uncomfortable when at the age of six I watched D.C. and other cities burn during the 1968 riots after Dr. King was murdered. How many race riots has this country had during its history? More than I can count. So just let the pot continue to boil on the stove and when it boils over once again maybe those of you who are uncomfortable will understand then need to turn down the heat on the stove.

[Creeker11]

Obama approval rating in Jan: 70%
Obama approval rating now :50%

Clearly, 20% of the population forgot they were racists for a while.

[nyc-girl]

NOBODY is saying that if you disagree with President Obama and his policies then you must be racist.

What we are saying that there is an insiduous element in society that is being fed and SOME of it is manifesting itself in the demonstrators, tea baggers, birthers, et al.

[sdskelton03]

"NOBODY is saying that if you disagree with President Obama and his policies then you must be racist."

You should read this site more often. Most everyone here thinks that.

[NvisibleMan]

This type of behavior/a­nger/hatre­d towards not just blacks but hispanics has been going on for sometime now. From the Willie Horton ads, to the Wefare Queen, to O.J., to the Mccain/Palin rallies with the name calling, which by the way I can recall not a single Repubican stepping up and tryin to put an end to this type of behavior. Free speech is one thing, spreading hatred, lies etc is another. Now with a black president, who appointed a Latino to the Supreme Court, I'm sorry, an "angry latino", add to that the almost certainty that he'll name ANOTHER minority when Stevens retires. What you get is the climate that we have today.

Personally I believe the news that hispanics have gained/increased in population in this country that it took a lot of these people over the top. Its almost as if they feel "they're losing their country"

http://web.me.com/aprilfool56/InvisibleMan/Welcome.html

[calirighty]

Baloney. I have made comments disagreeing with Obama and the first response I have gotten on several occasions is that I am a racist. So don't act all self righteous as if this is not happening. And you should stop saying "nobody" when people obviously are.

[Pyrum]

That's not true. I've seen posters on HuffPo argue that disagreeing with any of Obama's policies is inherently racist because his policies are all designed to help racial minorities.

[pghnappyrhino]

that's the plan of the gop: ignore the birthers and racist at the teabagger events, and when someone calls out THOSE SPECIFIC racists and birthers, act like they are talking about ALL of the gop, even though they know that's not accurate. it doesn't have to be, they'll scare some of their non-thinking minions.

[Bladernr1001]

You folks want this to be about race because on the ISSUES Obama is losing support left and right. There is simply not a plurality of support for government run healthcare (there is support for certain other health care reforms). So in an effort to demonize those who do not support Obama's government run plan you whip out the race card......­brilliant.­..if you cannot convince enough people of the merits of Obama's current plan.

[MoeB]

Why would we want that? We aren't out FORCING these folks to make their signs and say the things they say.