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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Why should we get rid of RACE as you put it? People are of different ethnicities, that's reality.
The world would be a pretty boring place if we were all of the same color and culture.
The problem comes in to play when people don't respect the differences.
Buying into the "color blind" I don't see race tactic that Black conservatives have apparently adopted won't help.
The "color blind" tactic is a simple ploy black conservatives use because they are deeply ashamed of their own blackness and "otherness" from the white majority. Any mention of the history of race in this country pains them because it undercuts their craven attempts to deny what they are in order to be accepted. What Nelson is doing here is a case study of that mentality. e.g. a benign form of self-loathing camouflaged with the trappings of status and success. This is why she keeps touting her resume when called out.
robXdion,
thank you so very much for explaining this so very well.
Thanks for this post robXdion.
..Spoken like a true rudeboy...
Not all right-wingers are racist, but a heck of a lot of racists are right-wingers. If it weren't for racism, the tea bagging parties would have been even smaller than they were. True fiscal conservatives should be careful when deciding with whom they "organize". Many of you tried to define Obama by his associations during the campaign, and it seems the "chickens are coming home to roost."
The rightwing can't wash off their racism very easily. They have formed their core around it, so when they do organize a "teabagfest" like this, the stench follows and cannot be avoided. i can guarantee you that ANY form of gathering that the right dreams up, benevolent or not, will draw these bigots in. It is where they feel comfortable, in the bosom of the GOP.
In the 60s when I'd walk the streets of Center City Philadelphia, Black Panthers would walk up to me, a skinny little white teenager, and shove their newspaper in my face saying, "Black Panther. 25 cents. Check it out."
I usually bought it. I also thought these guys were way cool. I thought that if I was black, I too would be one of them standing up to the racial injustice that existed then. Had I been black then I'd probably be dead because I would have been militant.
Things have improved a lot but it's hard, to put it mildly, for a black American to seize an opportunity and run with it. Especially inner city dwellers who face obstacles in just recognizing those opportunities let alone seizing them as they become available.
If you have succeeded in chasing down opportunity and achieving the "American dream," you don't need someone like me to congratulate you. Your very existence is a tribute to your race, your gender, your country and to the human spirit.
But racism exists and is thriving. It needs to be challenged in a big way. Ok, perhaps Janeane Garofalo is angry and comes acorss as over the top by lebeling the Tea Party attendees as rednecks. But it's really not too hard to spot a redneck -- even a well educated one. And I'd bet beans to Navy dollars that among that Tea Party group you'd find an inordinate number of them.
I am also so tired of this, along with people being called Nazis and facists.
It is an insult to the people who suffered and died as the consequence of genuine evil,
by genuinely evil people.
It is also especially distressing to see the left labeling protest as dangerous, hateful, non patriotic,
and dismiss it as either contrived, not genuine or stupid.
Thanks for having the guts to speak up here.
I agree with you about the "dangerous and non-patriotic" thing, but I reserve the right to use the "contrived and stupid" argument with republicans these days.
Ms Nelson after reading your bio I was shocked to learn you've held several responsible posts related to diversity and race relations. Interesting since your blog here has several glaring weaknesses.
1.) You suggest that since Ms Garofalo is white she doesn't have the credibility to speak publicly on racism.
That statement and philosophy in and of itself is racist.
So by that same logic, why do you believe you have the afforded position to speak publicly on white teabaggers, their priviledge and angst ?
I have a great more respect for Ms Garofalo's courage than your condescension.
Yep these 250,000 people are all racist. For not supporting trillions in bailouts and trillions more in deficit spending. Because bailouts for banks are good for minorities.
Trillions in deficit spending is good for minorities?
Energy based taxation, higher energy and transportation prices, and industries moving overseas is good for minorities?
I'm sorry, I must have missed the racism. Which of these policies is someone racist for opposing again? Or is this simply shouting "racism" to avoid having to have an debate or defense? Obviously if you can shout "racist" you can ignore all the issues brought up and dismiss the protests as racist.
Good plan, it saves all the trouble of having to have logical reasoning, debate, and discussion. But I'm not sure that this plan counts as "courage".
How exactly is shouting "racism" to avoid having a debate or discussion a show of courage? Wouldn't actually talking about, debating, and defending the positions be more courageous than shutting down discussion and slandering the other side?
You've just outlined the core irrationality of this entire blog. Spot on!
I'm sympathetic to the jist of this article however, I take issue with the author's assumption that just because a person is white, he/she can never experienced *true* racism.
The assumption is that African-American people (or any people of colour) don't, have never or cannot possibly behave in a racist manner towards *whites*. *White America's* history of racism towards African-Americans is very well established, but racism is not confined to *whites*.
If those "Hard Working" americans were just there about taxes. Talk about taxes. And stop the person attacks on the President. "Like what you talking abot Willis". Maybe if they had to pay taxes and then sit in the back of the bus, they would have something to complain about. White folks are not the only ones who have worked hard in this country and it is time they figured that out.
I am sick of the complaining. Having every opportunity this country offers and still not satisfied. If this were not about Obama, we would have heard something over the last eight years.
Just out of curiosity Ms Nelson, why didnt you mention anything about those horrible signs these "fine christians" had on display at not one, but EVERY SINGLE TEABAG PARTY had outlandish racist signs.
I'm sure you saw the signs, much like we did. The only difference is you obviously agreed with the prevailing attitudes of the crowds.
And for all your hoohaa, I am going to have to call you on this one. I would venture a guess that less than 1% of the total at the tea party were
A. there to protest taxes..bec
B. African-American or Hispanics.
I hope Ms. Nelson that for your sake, your children will grow up in a more liberal and tolerant world where his/her color will not matter but their abilities and skills will trump all.
Before my family shunned me in the 90's I asked my brother how he can stand in front of me and tell me how awful and unamerican liberals and Democrats were considering I was one......h
There is the gop philosophy in a nutshell..
Wow. Just wow. Some of the comments on here are so divergent from reality that you'd think they were from a different planet. To say that all "right-wing" people are racists is to paint an enormously broad brush, and to remove all value from the term "racist." Saying such things removes any ability to have a reasonable discussion about differences of opinion in politics--because anyone who disagrees with the "left" is automatically EVIL.
This is not only unfair, but untrue, rude, and far more BIASED than anything most right-wingers believe. I know quite a few (I'm a libertarian), and the majority of right-wingers simply have a different idea of how money should be allocated within society. The tea-parties are a reaction to the outrageous spending by the government (that went on during Bush's term, but exploded recently). They have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the fact that Obama is black. Even the one placard from the rally that I've seen held up as evidence of racism (Taxes=White Slavery) isn't racist; its simply saying that when you don't have control over the money you earn, you are essentially a slave.
I'm sure there were a few nutjobs who were racist at the rallies; there are nutjobs everywhere. But characterizing the movement as racist is just a way to lie to yourself, so you don't have to confront the flaws in our government system.
Saying such things as "because anyone disagrees with the "left" is automatically EVIL" is not only unfair, but untrue, rude and far more BIASED than anything most left-wingers believe.
"They have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the fact that Obama is black."
Signs depicting the President as a shoeshine boy, as a stereotypical tribesman with distorted lips, signs screaming about White Slavery; and let me break this down for you in very simple terms. Unless you're under the delusion that only White people pay taxes equating taxes with slavery using the race specific term White was deliberate attempt to elicit a response based on race. That’s racist. The questions about Obama's citizenship, the signs and shouts about his religion all of it is an attempt to paint Obama as 'the other' and it continues the same theme that was rampant during the election. Dismissing it as the work of a few nutjobs is just a way to lie to yourself so you don't have to confront the flaws in your peers.
Stop making excuses for racist behavior.
(Taxes=White Slavery) is racist (Taxes=Slavery) is not
Hey Emma, I'm not being facetious here. Could you explain to me why taxes=White Slavery is racist, but taxes=slavery is not? The only thing I can think of is that your saying the "white slavery" sign insinuates that whites pay taxes and blacks dont. If so, that may be insulting to blacks but I don't see how it qualifies as racism. I've posted the webster definition of racism elsewhere but here it is again:
a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
the phrase "taxes=white slavery" cannot be interpreted to mean the the sign holder thinks that whites are inherently superior to blacks or other minorities. It CAN be interpreted to mean he thinks that as a GROUP blacks and other minorities consume more in government benefits than they pay in taxes while whites pay more in government taxes than they receive in benefits and therefore whites (via taxes) are effectively slaves to the minorities. That position might be correct or incorrect. Visiting the IRS tax website could answer the question. But I don't see how it is racist based on the definition of racism above.
Again the key word for leveling a valid racist charge against someone is their claim that a group is INCAPABLE of performing at a certain level because of their race. Thats different from claiming that one group is not performing at the same level as another group.
Well said, Ms Nelson. I attended a tea party rally with co-workers, two of whom are black and one latino. They were stunned to hear that Garafolo belittled them, too, saying that they suffered from Stockholm syndrome. Thank you for stating what should be obvious to any rational person, that being in favor of limited government does not equal racism, and that attacking protestors as racists is either disingenuous, or moronic.
I took issue with several points made in Ms Nelson's post. First she makes ridiculous exaggerations ("Everything was about race in the 2008 Campaign). She characterizes race as something to get over as if it was a bad case of the flu or your first broken romance. History is hard and long. You don’t just *get over it*.
Nelson gives us her bona fides. She knows something about racism, being black gives her special knowledge of racism (or race). Ms. Garofalo, on the other hand, couldn't possibly know anything about racism being white and all. For my part (also African American), I assert that no one knows racism better than a white person. I would venture a guess that Ms Garofalo has been privy to more conversations among closeted racists than any black person ever has or ever will be. We blacks know victimization. Whites know skin privilege (blissfully unconscious of it of course). Both are equally detrimental to psychological well-being.
My last quarrel with Nelson is with her naive "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" comment. Binary thinking is shallow thinking. People can be decent, principled and racist (or at least fearfully race conscious) and often are. Furthermore, Nelson cannot speak for everyone who protested. All manner of angry folk protested. Let’s not whitewash that fact (excuse the expression, pun intended).
Excellently articulated. I really love the line about Ms. Garofalo being privy to conversation amongst closeted racists. Excellent point. Ms. Garofalo is speaking from personal experience, which makes her--IMHO-- qualified to speak on issues regarding race.
She was spot on! She should have her own msnbc show.
I have been following this blog today, interesting. When did "racist" become a bad word? Nothing really happens to you in our society if you are a racist, you don't lose your job or your home, you are not cast out in any way as long as you remain inside the law. There is no legacy of hatred attached to it like being hung from a tree or placed in a concentration camp. I do know that words are important, they have power and carry vibrations. The language we use to discuss race needs to be updated. I live in Hawaii now and the Hawaiian people have over 20 words for wind. If all language used to discuss race is deemed hate speech by our culture, how are we supposed to talk about it? I am over 40, I grew up with the n***** word, it is an ugly word, but I still want to use it sometimes. At moments in my life it has been the only word available to describe the circumstances. Now I can't use it is a bad word, but that does not stop the thought bubble in my head. Now I gather that "racist" is a bad word too. So what am I supposed to call a racist? Or is the point here to reduce any thoughts I might have about race to a thought bubble, in other words shut up. We are a complicated society we at least need 20 words for racism.
Jeanine Garofalo comments were on the money. I fail to look the other way, when you have a mob of people who don't look like they make over 250,000 dollars a year, take to the street carrying signs about our president's name, citizenship and other demeaning messages, unrelated to taxes. I have to say, I measure crowds by the makeup drawn by President Obama, who tend to be old, young, gay, stright, Asians, Indians, Latinos, Jews, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, etc. Those teabaggers, if you took notice, M's Nelson, were white, and their signs told us they are the Republican base, which tends to be racists rednecks. Those baggers don't have the look of America as I see it. It seems Republicans like that basic white look, they wouldn't even allow their other token black, Micheal Steele, to attend. Did they request that you not attend also, Miss Nelson?
If 94 % of black voters voted for Obama is that racist? It is okay for blacks to be racist but, not whites? Looking to skin color to define worth. Maybe it doesn't matter to me if the president is Asian, black, white or Hispanic? But it does matter if he is left of center with his politics. To me that matters. If I disagree with his politics, then I am racist? Bull. Easy name calling.
I didn't vote for him because he came from Chicago, from a political party I usually disagree with. I don't like his business "friends".
Condi Rice I like. I like her politics, honesty, and hard work. Sorry she didn't run for the office.
I am quite sick of hearing I am racist because I don't agree with a president that happens to be black. It was not until Sept. of 2008 that I realized what a debacle Washington has made of this country. Eight years of drunken spending doesn't excuse four more. That is not about color of skin, it is about the lack of fiscally intelligent politicians. White, black, Hispanic, Asian -- Who said "Stop spending my children's future?"
This didn't start eight years ago or just about one party. It is fraud to "We the People" what ever color! Quit pointing fingers and root out the problems. All of them. If they don't get Washington spending under control vote them all out! Every color.
I just fail to get the 94% of black voters voted for Obama argument as evidence of black racism. It just doesn't make any sense . . . Prior to the November 4, 2009 election, 100% of white voters voted for the white candidate. Was that racist? Up until that time, 100% of black voters voted for the white guy. Were they being racist then?
Before Obama's appearance on the presidential ballot, the only choice Americans had in the presidential election was a white male (setting aside consideration for minor parties that failed to register a blip with the electorate). Was that racism?
America's history tells the story of a patriarchal, race-based society, so much so that until 2009, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in America who actually believed that a black man could get elected president of the United States. It's over four months since the event and I still have trouble believing that it happened. That is a lot of reality to overlook.
I happen to be one who believes that America has been running a deficit for centuries . . . primarily a deficit of morals . . . that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. To believe that the problems we face can be solved with the same mindset we have always had is naive. A new direction is seriously needed. And yes we are going to have to pay for that both with dollars and personal sacrifice.
94% of black voters would have voted for Hilary Clinton, and did vote for Bill Clinton is that racist
Where were these Teabaggin' parties during the Bush Administration? You know, the people who actually drove this country into horrific debt? The teabaggers need to go visit some other countries and remember how good they have it here. The US has some of the lowest tax rates rates in the world and a very high standard of living.
I believe the Tea PARTY protesters did not protest during the bush administration for 2 reasons. 1. the scale of the deficit spending is more than 3 times higher just 3 months into Obama's administration than it was under bush after 8 years (it was the last 2 years of his administation where the deficit spending really went through the roof). Basically the boiling frog problem. Bushes deficit spending increased relatively slowly over 8 years so people didnt notice it. Obama is tripling the already bad deficit spending in 3 MONTHS. THAT got people's attention. And 2. the protesters don't agree with what the money is being spent on. For instance, any money spent bailing out GM is basically wasted money. Due to government regulations, union contracts and pension programs, GM is burdened with costs that foreign competitors do not have. Consequently, they are, and will remain uncompetitive until some combination of regulations, union contracts, and pensions are renegotiated. Throwing money at them before that happens is a waste.
Further more the spending has been billed as necessary to restart the economy, but 90% of the spending won't kick in until 2010 or after. how is that supposed to help the economy NOW?
The spending in the last eight years was caught up with in 90 days ---- It is about the debt! We are so in debt. Both parties caused this. In 2006 the democrats were in charge of congress. Same debacle of debt.
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