Jeanine Garafolo on Racism -- Why She is Way off Base
My first response on hearing and then viewing the video clip of Ms. Garofalo on MSNBC last Thursday evening was simply: WOW!
Is this what the Republic is coming to in the 21st Century? Political extremism has gone WILD!
Regular working class and rural, suburban White Americans must feel a bit under assault as of late.
How so you ask? Well, it started in the 2008 primary campaign with off handed comments being made by then candidate Barack Obama about "bitter Americans clinging to their guns and religion", then Senator Clinton started talking about "hardworking white Americans" in Pennsylvania as she desperately needed to carry that state.
Everything was about race in the 2008 Campaign. Former President Bill Clinton was deemed a racist red neck jack asem>s who didn't know when to shut up according to the media, political pundits and many black politicians for his comments during the South Carolina primaries. McCain was deemed a racist simply because he existed and was the GOP standardbearer. Once he picked working class, university of Idaho educated, mother of five Alaska Governor Sara Palin all hell truly broke loose.
I am so sick and tired of RACE. Period. When are we going to get over it? For Real folks. As someone who was an African American studies minor in college, pledged the oldest and most prestigious black women's sorority, was once a loyal card carrying member of the NAACP ( I did not renew my membership after the 2000 election campaign ads that ran against then Gov. George Bush paid for by the NAACP), started a very successful national organization for professional women of color, and I could go and on I am sick of the tearing apart of one set of Americans by their own fellow countrymen.
Yes, I am defending my mostly white (some Tea Party goers were black, Hispanic, etc.) Tea Party attending brethren because enough is enough. On last Thursday's "Countdown," MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and his guest Janeane Garofalo defamed fellow citizens who attended the prior day's Tea Parties with vitriolic contempt. Ms. Garofalo actually called Party-goers "a bunch of teabagging rednecks," adding "this is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up."
She is wrong and she knows nothing about true racism-having never spent a day of her life being black in America. I do know something about racism as I and millions of other people of color have endured and experienced its ugly insidiousness. It is not a word that should be thrown around lightly or recklessly. If we dare not stand in defense of our fellow citizens right to protest peacefully against our/their government then we are giving into a sneaky form of Tyranny. Race has nothing to do with the hardworking, decent American citizens who simply got sick and tired of being overtaxed and outspent by their government and showed up to do something about it.
That is our solemn duties as Americans. This freedom is what makes us the envy of the world.
I am deeply disappointed in the current dialogue that seems to be developing on the current American horizon. If we don't stop yelling at each other, hurling insults and names, and band together as a nation once again, then those who seek the undoing of their fellow citizens of a different opinion, thought or political stripe had better grasp firmly the old saying "what you gonna do when they come for you?"
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I agree with your comments. Thanks for sharing them.
Janeane Garofalo is way off in her comments on Racism. There is no sound basis, no link.
I'm also tired of all the Racism talk and Racism being bantered about.
I wish it were the Republicans that put the first man of color in the white house. I knew Ken Blackwell from the 1970's in Cincinnati
No one is asking anyone to give up their race...the
Be proud of your race. Be respectful of mine and allow me to be proud too. Celebrate accomplishments. Commiserate setbacks.
Janeane Garofalo is off base and needs to be fired from 24. I don't want to watch someone with her illogical comments. She is a joke but not a comedienne. Good call on her being off base.
Nice to "meet you"..and looking forward to hearing more of your views.
I am a Sophia Fan. You are right on!!
Hollywood celebrities and personalities are mostly ignorant about the political process and would be better off keeping their mouths shut on issues. As it is, Jenine G is so-so actress with absolutely no education and surely no comprehension of what it is like to be a poor minority. How dare play the race card when she is a rich, elitist snob!! 90% of Americans of ALL backgrounds cannot
So we are not allowed to dissent our government any longer because to do so labels us "not a team player" and a racist?? Why does the liberal left always try to stifle our constitutional rights of free speech??
I was born and raised in Los Angeles at the teabag rally I attended in liberal land Santa Monica, there was a huge diverse amount of protesters
To all of you who stopped by to make a comment--thank you. Regardless if we agree or disagree. To those of you who posted civil, respectful and thoughtful comments thank you. We don't have to agree--this is America. We don't have to attack--because we are free to speak our minds. We can listen--without allowing our blood to boil. We can disagree without calling ugly names and attacking one another's soul or character. Some of these posts broke my heart--just angry, nasty, vitriolic rants without considering that your fellow Americans just wanted to be heard. Understand that over 110 million people voted in the last election and a tad less than 50% of them voted against our current President. President elect Obama acknowledged this on election night in his speech. He is their President too. Don't forget that you will be judged by the same measure you use on others--we all will. Consider civility as a daily way of life and it will bring you many blessings. Thanks again for stopping by my blog post.
There is absolutely nothing on the basis of fact that 50% of people who did not vote for Barack Obama were voting against him. It is quite likely and probable that some significant percentage of those folks were simply voting for their candidate. Once again the binary thinking . . .
Perhaps you were taken aback by the level of response to your essay because maybe America... Black, white, Asian, Muslim, ethnicity to be named later... is getting sick of having "Black Conservative commentators" paraded in front of them, as some type of legitimate demographic.
I've always felt that any glib person of color who needed a gig, could simply re-market his- or herself as a so-called "Black Conservative", and make a nice living (then I discovered Michael Steele had pretty much jumped the shark on the whole art form).
Listen, I'm WHITE, okay? And even I have the presence of mind to realize that if I were unfortunate enough to have a run-in with a police officer, the odds are great that I will emerge from the confrontation ALIVE.
Now, ask any mother (who isn't You) of a Black Male in America, if they share that same confidence.
Which is why I really don't care to hear how the poor, White (we're CAPITALIZING this, now?) citizens of Teabaggistan are feeling "under assault right now". I'm real darn sorry that their sense of entitlement as born A-list Americans has been rendered ridiculous by the inevitability of time.
But they really oughta get over it. And, as lucrative as it is for you to flaunt your Urban Cred in the court of punditry, you really have no right to diss Janeane Garofalo for publicly denouncing (very real) racism, if you haven't the character to do it yourself.
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I attended the Houston Tea party, it was not the white trash, red neck racist brawl that Garafalo and the press would have you believe. It was a well behaved cross section of folks from throughout our society who are concerned about big government and the future of our country. I too am amazed at some of the things people will say on blogs but as I travel across the country I am convinced that the majority of Americans are still honest hardworking patriotic people. Best wishes to you.
These people at these rallies were not "real " working Americans. If they were "working" they obviously don't take their jobs seriously enough as they would rather dress up in silly costumes on a Wednesday, miss work, and complain about getting their taxes lowered all the while holding up bigoted signs. Real working Americans were at work that Wednesday. The "Teabag Nation" is a nation of posers, like Joe the Plumber. These clowns should feel under assault and so should anyone who empathizes with their sentiments.
This "real" working American left the office at 5:00 after working a 10 hour day and walked the 4 blocks to the Tea Party. Were you at every tea party throughout the country, of course not so you really don't know what you are talking about, do you?
Jeanine Garafolo was spot on the the racism in the republican party,
As a black person I know this to be true:
One characteristic PECULIAR to black people ONLY, a characteristic NOT demonstrated by any other minority group in this country, is that when a black person achieves something unique, instead celebrating that achievement and working to make thing better, some blacks immediately begin to attempt to tear that person down.
You find them mostly spouting off on Fox, CNN and MSNBC. They usually identify with the republican party. You know, family values and stuff.
Of no concern to them is that what passes for leadership in the republican party has been trying to sabotage the duly elected President of this country.
No faultfinding there. Silence.
Of no concern to them are the hosts (white/republican) on shows like Fox, CNN and MSNBC and their usual guests (white/epublican) are making their best effort to try to undermine the President.
No criticism of the Bush/Chene
Silence.
Faultfinding? No.
But being true to that PECULIAR characteristic, black Sophists find much to complain about President Obama. These people harbor intense anger and resentment against other blacks who achieve something they will never achieve. They also don't like themselves very much.
I see. and the left were on the side of the angels when they were constantly working to undermine President Bush and his policies? Bottom line, the right does not agree with Obama's policies and does not want them to succeed. That does not make them evil as you seem to be implying. They aren't doing anything different then the left does for policies it opposes. Obama= Hitler is beyond the pale? Then why was it ok for the left to mock President Bush as Busshitler?
Benefits of IRAQ WAR:
Here is a list of some of the benefits that accrued to the united states as a result of the IRAQ war.
1. Saddam removed from power and a potential source of nuclear proliferation and other WMD eliminated (Saddam had a stated goal to resume WMD production once the sanctions were lifted)
2. Qadafi gave up Libya's Entire Nuclear weapons program after seeing the USA invade IRAQ
(His direct quote when asked why he gave up the program was "I did not want to be next")
3. We learned of Paskistan's black market in Nuclear proliferation (the A Khan Network) from libya when they gave up their program. Something we might not have discovered for years if not for the IRAQ invasion.
4. And finally we killed tens of thousands of terrorists in IRAQ and dispelled the notion widespread in the middle east that the USA is a paper tiger and won't fight when kicked in the teeth.
"And finally we killed tens of thousands of terrorists in IRAQ and dispelled the notion widespread in the middle east that the USA is a paper tiger and won't fight when kicked in the teeth."
really? So who told you that? Cheney and company? The same guys who tortured captives 6 times a day for 31 days straight? To force any sort of "confession" justifying invading Iraq? Read the memos and tell me there is no link between the times these guys were tortured and the begin of the Iraq war.
Oh, and by tens of thousands of terrorists - I think you might mean "civilians". 99 861 and counting.
This women is just way off base, she's something and not in a good way if i knew her i would walk on the other side of the street, Nut Job!!!
And as far as NBC for giving time it just shows how bad they need the ratings it's really unexceptable. Reguardless of you stance on the tea party people have the right to protest
sadly, she is not way off base.
Indeed the right to protest without fear of retribution should be firmly embedded in every country´s constitution. What I find helpful in actually knowing why you are protesting. And having facts to prove it. Sorry, but the teabaggers seemed so overtly misinformed, it was almost pitiful. They were rounded up like sheep by a wolf in sheeps clothing. Bleeting and baa-ing in confusion when actually confronted by facts.
Being ignorant is one thing. Having a closed mind ie living in denial is quite another.
Sophia Nelson, thanks for defending basic free speech and civility. I hope you opened some eyes and caused some here to examine their angry hearts.


The smallest minority in the world is the individual, and the tea partiers are individuals standing up, protesting for freedom, just like in 1773. 
THAT"S what the the tea parties are all about. Cut taxes - shrink government - let the people be free to give and do their individual best.


Although the Democrats controlling Congress have been overspending and overtaxing for almost all of the past 70 years, Republicans did the same too. I'm deeply angry that the party which always stood for liberty, fiscal restraint and smaller government went hog-wild with our money.
But people, wake up! Massive, out-of-control government is NOT your friend. Government will not, cannot, save you and set things right. The only real job of our limited government is to protect our country and citizens, and set up a framework of CLEAR and SIMPLE rules, to encourage us, so WE can be friendly and help each other, so WE can set things right and make things better for each other. "Advanced citizenship", remember?


JFK and Reagan both agreed on this. It's basic common sense, and our political class is failing us badly - and now the crisis.

L
To call the tea partyers a bunch of racists simplifies a large group who probably had different reasons for coming out. Some came out because they truly are against higher taxes and increased government spending. However, many of the speakers were Republican lawmakers who have no true intention of creating a flat tax or of reducing the size of government.
Some came out, simply because their party did not win, and they're upset about it, and believe that they should oppose anything the current administration is putting forth.
I am also sure, that there is a portion of the group that is racist.
Ofcourse, for many of the politicians, this is simply preparing for the next elections, securing their base, and telling the other major party that we're still here.
The fact that they were out there, that the media was covering it, is what makes this country great. Because they're out there, that will hopefully motivate this administration to work even harder and do everything within their power to ensure success for the USA.
I am all for that.
"band together as a nation once again"- Wow, I must've missed this era, in all my 31 years of being on this earth I don't recall this ever happening.
Considering her credentials and obviously superior education, I wonder how much this author actually knows about "Regular working class and rural, suburban White Americans" My guess is, not very much
Nor does she know much about regular working class black people.
And yes, we do work, in spite of the right-wing republican meme.
I wasn't always a lawyer hun--nor well educated. I grew up in a very working class suburb of southern NJ--across from Philadelphia with all Irish Catholics & Italian Catholics whose parents were as mine--we all lived a stone's throw from America's poorest city--Camden NJ. I am the 1st in my family to graduate college or go to grad school. So once again you make fools of yourselves by lumping folks together, making assumptions and spouting falsehoods that just are not reality.
For all of you who are agreeing with JG on this comment, are you not also making a broad generalization about a group of people by categorically classifying them? They are only as good as the worst among them?
Yes, there were distasteful and offensive signs held up. Yes, I'm sure that there were rascist people among the groups. However, to go as far as to dismiss the event as though it was a KKK rally moreso than an organized (although I think organized is stretching the definition seeing the vast array of subject matter on display) political protest, I think, puts you into the same group as those holding signs.
I agree with one post above..."H
Why do the far left and far right seem to be melding into one hate-filled voice?
Great post--Amen!
Does anyone remember the Black cameraman who was harassed by the crowd at a Palin rally?
http://www
That the Republicans will shriek and fling dung when a Democrat is in office is nothing new, just ask Bill Clinton. But now that we have a Black president, racism and fear of "The Other" is just another tool that can be used as a wedge issue to incite anger against the current Democratic administration. The party of the Southern Strategy is playing it for all it's worth.
Open your eyes. Ms. Garafolo spoke the truth.
This is really kind of funny. Both sides do this when the other side is in power. The liberals spent 8 years going ballistic over President Bush, and now the conservatives are out of bounds for doing the same thing with Obama?
False equivalency. Nobody was whipping up racist sentiments to attack Bush. Oh, and the recently released memos would seem to vindicate those of us who were appalled by the policies of the Bush administration.
Nice try. Swing and a miss.
No, you are wrong. 'Race' is the unspoken outrage, 100%, I have absolutely no doubt about that. There was not one legitimate argument about "taxes": President Obama has done NOTHING to the tax policy, except for signing the S-Chip bill which was leftover business from the previous failed presidency. President Obama's tax policy, if enacted, will result in tax CUTS for the vast majority of teabaggers.
What we saw were people being squeezed alright, but not for money. They're socially pressured to avoid using the words they desperately wanted to use: The "n" word and its synonyms. The pressure results in intolerant folk grasping onto ridiculous phrases such as "tyrant", "socialist" and "fascist" (as seen in my latest video at www.youtub
As an AA myself, I must disagree with your premise that these 'tea party' folks were just a bunch of hard-working Americans tired of being overtaxed, etc. (For one thing, the vast majority of these people actually got a tax cut; for another thing, this 'borrowed' money that the government is overspending is actually being spent to improve education, provide jobs, start healthcare reform, etc. - actually being spent on improving the lot, lives and communities of average Americans!) None of these teabaggers arguments made any sense - we both know that!
Add to that the crap we saw at McCain/Palin rallies during the election cycle; some of the signs at these tea partys; the actual comments of voters in some areas of the country; racist flyers and emails distributed by some ELECTED LEADERS!; the Rev. Wright scandal; the calls that he's some secret Muslim; the 'Boyz-in-the-Hood handshake comments; the 'terrorist fist-jab comments; the constant 'he's not a true American' comments and the list goes on and on and we really do see a pattern.
How about comments from certain media personalities about the potential for race war if Obama was to become POTUS.
Honestly, I find your position baffling..
Obama's run for the White House brought out the absolute worst in a sizable portion of the electorate and the commentariat - easy for anyone to see and hear.
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