Why Is Merely POINTING OUT Racism Worse Than ACTUAL Racism To So Many on The Right??

[catzmeow]

I believe that 99% of the racist comments concerning the Trayvon Martin case are made by supporters of Martin. (The racist garbage from the one or two resident white supremists not withstanding).

I can't speak for the rest of the forum, but I'd say it's about 50/50 on the racism board in the past week or so. That's hardly a scientific basis for measurement, though.

 

[catzmeow]

This guy must be a racist huh?

Logically speaking...someone else being a moron doesn't make you less of one.

But, frankly, I don't find you that interesting.

 

[MarcATL]

I don't consider Obama particularly divisive on the subject of race. But then, I'm a white woman who works in a predominantly minority field in communities with large populations of brown and black people. I've had people LITERALLY in my face making racial comments, so there's nothing that Obama's done that is particularly troubling to me, in comparison. And, I don't have any problems talking about race, because it's something I've had to do--alot--for both personal and professional reasons.

Plus, my kids are half-Filipino, and have friends who are a veritable rainbow coalition.

So, in my house, race is just a sort of constant background noise. It's never not there, but most of the time, I just accept it and don't pay a lot of attention to it, until something shoves it my face again.

It is what it is, which is basically how my black friends seem to think about the subject.

This is perhaps THE best description of the black experience in the United States of America.

Kudos....

 

[jillian]

Because it has been a constant bombardment.

Not every case of "pointing out racism" actually points to racism.

Perception of racism in every-fucking-thing, however, IS racism.

If there weren't so many "Racist!" cries, one might be able to stick from time to time.

it may well be that not every case of "pointing out racism" is actually correct. but it is also true that in almost every instance where actual racism is pointed out, the person doing so is accused of "stirring the pot" or "dividing the country" or engaging in "race baiting".

Are there instances of race-baiting? of course. But it isn't racism, for example, to stand up and protest the total negigence of a police department in investigating the death of an unarmed black teen.

And it isn't racism to want a trial of the person who caused that death.

It is, however, racist, to cheer for any possible failure of the prosecution because someone sees the trial as victimizing a white man.

See how that is.

 

[gallantwarrior]

One must first investigate before they can find.


Most just make the jump

I agree, some people do jump, without being sure where they're jumping. It's a pretty reactionary thing.

On the flip side, a poster here has made egregiously racist statements over the past couple of days, and then accused me of being a racist for pointing out the fact that his posts are racially biased.

It is what it is. Most people don't want to touch the sticky subject of race.

Most white people I'd say. Black folks are quite prepared and ready to discuss this topic.

I believe that the reason you listed is perhaps the same reason why so many whites, particularly on the right seems to be of the belief that Obama is the most racially divisive President in history.

You see, with finally having a black President, race is constantly in your face. So many white folks, particularly on the right, his internalized and/or interpreted that as Obama being the racially divisive one, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth.

A clear example is when Obama made a totally correct, proper and related statement saying that IF he had a son he would look like Trayvon. That is a true statement, Trayvon did actually look more like our President than he did any of his own parents. The President made a statement that was proper and also deferring to the victim's parents in the time of grief. Yet, the RepubliCON$ managed to turn and twist that into a racist and/or racially divisive statement.

The truth of the matter is, just about everything and anything Obama says will be racially divisive to those people, simply due to it coming from Obama's mouth...the first black President.

First, out of the dozens of unfortunate incidents, like the Martin case, that occur in this country every day, why does obama sound off about this specific case? Where are all the self-appointed judge-jury-executioners (i.e. Sharpton, Jackson, et.al.) when any other black youth is shot down? Obama has made a point of "sounding out" about very specific cases, often without enough prior knowledge to come across as anything else but a racist. So the image many hold of obama as a racially divisive person is based primarily on his own words and actions. It is very unfortunate that so many people look up to him and place a higher value on opinions best kept to himself.

Second, I know lots of lefties really hate to hear this because it contradicts their firmly held belief that non-blacks dislike obama because of his skin color. Many people, including lots of blacks, dislike obama's very publically presented socialist ideology. An ideology he has made no bones about implementing, regardless of whether he does so Constitutionally, or not. Those of us who found the media vetting of obama during the '08 election actually bothered to read what he had put on paper and published in his name.

Third, why are white people sensitive about someone "pointing out racism"? Because it has been used as a proverbial bludgeon to beat them into submission. If a black doesn't like something a non-black says or does, he cries racism. If a liberal doesn't agree with a conservative viewpoint, that viewpoint is often denounced as racist. The fear of a potential accusation of racism has changed the way we use language, the way we do business, the way we conduct our daily lives...and not always for the better. Cry "wolf" often enough and pretty soon no one will pay you any attention. When the "wolf" finally shows up, who's going to give a hoot?

 

[Liability]

Why do so many on the Right feel this way?

Anyone...?

It's not. And the right doesn't think that way.

Glad to help.

However, I do take exception to the "pointing out" of alleged racism that isn't racism.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

This guy must be a racist huh?

Logically speaking...someone else being a moron doesn't make you less of one.

But, frankly, I don't find you that interesting.

Once thing is plain to see. You don't know shit about our history.

 

[catzmeow]

I don't consider Obama particularly divisive on the subject of race. But then, I'm a white woman who works in a predominantly minority field in communities with large populations of brown and black people. I've had people LITERALLY in my face making racial comments, so there's nothing that Obama's done that is particularly troubling to me, in comparison. And, I don't have any problems talking about race, because it's something I've had to do--alot--for both personal and professional reasons.

Plus, my kids are half-Filipino, and have friends who are a veritable rainbow coalition.

So, in my house, race is just a sort of constant background noise. It's never not there, but most of the time, I just accept it and don't pay a lot of attention to it, until something shoves it my face again.

It is what it is, which is basically how my black friends seem to think about the subject.

This is perhaps THE best description of the black experience in the United States of America.

Kudos....

A few weeks ago, I was traveling with my son and his two friends. My son is white/pinoy. His best friend is white/black. The other friend, Cory, is black (and very dark).

We were walking through the parking lot of a subway when a man in a pickup truck almost ran me down. I threw up my hands in the air, because it scared the crap out of me, and said, "Learn to drive."

He didn't respond to me (the white woman, who had yelled at him). He yelled, "Fucking die, you ******!" at Cory, who was standing next to me.

I think that's the kind of shit that a lot of white Americans have never experienced because they don't live or travel or spend a lot of time with people of color. And, that's the kind of shit that makes me want to punch someone in the mouth and tell people that racism is still alive and well in America.

Some moron's words aren't going to keep Cory from going to school, getting a good education, or becoming professionally successful. Hell, he's a smart enough and likeable enough kid that maybe he could even become president.

But, it's still just like a hurtful punch in your gut that knocks the wind out of you and just leaves you reeling. I know it hurt him, because I could see his face. We all laughed it off, in the car, and talked about how ignorant and stupid people can be.

But it still just sucks. And, there was nothing I could do to fix it, other than just love him and tell him that the guy was an idiot.

And, speaking for myself, I'm not sure how many times I could hear something like that about myself without really taking it personally.

 

[catzmeow]

First, out of the dozens of unfortunate incidents, like the Martin case, that occur in this country every day, why does obama sound off about this specific case?

He gave a 20 second answer to a question asked at a press conference. Have you seen his entire answer, or just the 5 second clip that's been lifted from the entire content by conservative media outlets?

He stated that the incident was a tragedy, and that local, state, and federal agencies should collaborate on answering the remaining questions about what happened.

It was not at all inflammatory, in context (IMO).

 

[WillowTree]

Because it has been a constant bombardment.

Not every case of "pointing out racism" actually points to racism.

Perception of racism in every-fucking-thing, however, IS racism.

If there weren't so many "Racist!" cries, one might be able to stick from time to time.

it may well be that not every case of "pointing out racism" is actually correct. but it is also true that in almost every instance where actual racism is pointed out, the person doing so is accused of "stirring the pot" or "dividing the country" or engaging in "race baiting".

Are there instances of race-baiting? of course. But it isn't racism, for example, to stand up and protest the total negigence of a police department in investigating the death of an unarmed black teen.

And it isn't racism to want a trial of the person who caused that death.

It is, however, racist, to cheer for any possible failure of the prosecution because someone sees the trial as victimizing a white man.

See how that is.

Zimmerman should hire Dershowitz.. he knows something about the law.

 

[sealybobo]

I agree, some people do jump, without being sure where they're jumping. It's a pretty reactionary thing.

On the flip side, a poster here has made egregiously racist statements over the past couple of days, and then accused me of being a racist for pointing out the fact that his posts are racially biased.

It is what it is. Most people don't want to touch the sticky subject of race.

Most white people I'd say. Black folks are quite prepared and ready to discuss this topic.

I believe that the reason you listed is perhaps the same reason why so many whites, particularly on the right seems to be of the belief that Obama is the most racially divisive President in history.

You see, with finally having a black President, race is constantly in your face. So many white folks, particularly on the right, his internalized and/or interpreted that as Obama being the racially divisive one, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth.

A clear example is when Obama made a totally correct, proper and related statement saying that IF he had a son he would look like Trayvon. That is a true statement, Trayvon did actually look more like our President than he did any of his own parents. The President made a statement that was proper and also deferring to the victim's parents in the time of grief. Yet, the RepubliCON$ managed to turn and twist that into a racist and/or racially divisive statement.

The truth of the matter is, just about everything and anything Obama says will be racially divisive to those people, simply due to it coming from Obama's mouth...the first black President.

First, out of the dozens of unfortunate incidents, like the Martin case, that occur in this country every day, why does obama sound off about this specific case? Where are all the self-appointed judge-jury-executioners (i.e. Sharpton, Jackson, et.al.) when any other black youth is shot down? Obama has made a point of "sounding out" about very specific cases, often without enough prior knowledge to come across as anything else but a racist. So the image many hold of obama as a racially divisive person is based primarily on his own words and actions. It is very unfortunate that so many people look up to him and place a higher value on opinions best kept to himself.

Second, I know lots of lefties really hate to hear this because it contradicts their firmly held belief that non-blacks dislike obama because of his skin color. Many people, including lots of blacks, dislike obama's very publically presented socialist ideology. An ideology he has made no bones about implementing, regardless of whether he does so Constitutionally, or not. Those of us who found the media vetting of obama during the '08 election actually bothered to read what he had put on paper and published in his name.

Third, why are white people sensitive about someone "pointing out racism"? Because it has been used as a proverbial bludgeon to beat them into submission. If a black doesn't like something a non-black says or does, he cries racism. If a liberal doesn't agree with a conservative viewpoint, that viewpoint is often denounced as racist. The fear of a potential accusation of racism has changed the way we use language, the way we do business, the way we conduct our daily lives...and not always for the better. Cry "wolf" often enough and pretty soon no one will pay you any attention. When the "wolf" finally shows up, who's going to give a hoot?

Obama commented on this case because it drew national attention. But you are right. There are lots of other cases out there we need to look at. I think the number is 37 cases where the shooter went home free because of Florida's Stand Your Ground Law. We need to take a closer look at all 37 cases. And why did ALEC, the NRA and GOP pass such a law?

 

[MarcATL]

First, out of the dozens of unfortunate incidents, like the Martin case, that occur in this country every day, why does obama sound off about this specific case? Where are all the self-appointed judge-jury-executioners (i.e. Sharpton, Jackson, et.al.) when any other black youth is shot down? Obama has made a point of "sounding out" about very specific cases, often without enough prior knowledge to come across as anything else but a racist. So the image many hold of obama as a racially divisive person is based primarily on his own words and actions. It is very unfortunate that so many people look up to him and place a higher value on opinions best kept to himself.

Second, I know lots of lefties really hate to hear this because it contradicts their firmly held belief that non-blacks dislike obama because of his skin color. Many people, including lots of blacks, dislike obama's very publically presented socialist ideology. An ideology he has made no bones about implementing, regardless of whether he does so Constitutionally, or not. Those of us who found the media vetting of obama during the '08 election actually bothered to read what he had put on paper and published in his name.

Third, why are white people sensitive about someone "pointing out racism"? Because it has been used as a proverbial bludgeon to beat them into submission. If a black doesn't like something a non-black says or does, he cries racism. If a liberal doesn't agree with a conservative viewpoint, that viewpoint is often denounced as racist. The fear of a potential accusation of racism has changed the way we use language, the way we do business, the way we conduct our daily lives...and not always for the better. Cry "wolf" often enough and pretty soon no one will pay you any attention. When the "wolf" finally shows up, who's going to give a hoot?

Firstly, you come off as disengenous with your use of the term "sounding off." You act as if Obama held a Press Conference for the express purpose of talking about Trayvon Martin, when the TRUTH of the matter is, he was asked. Which is and has been the case with just about every other instance that you and others like yourself have had issues with Obama "sounding out." What's he to do? Not answer direct questions when asked? Contrast that w/Bush who WILLFULLY INJECTED himself into the VERY DIVISIVE Terri Schiavo case...do you recall?

Secondly, your statement about what blacks think. You clearly haven't been listening all these years. We don't say someone is racist SIMPLY for disagreeing, we call racism when there APPEARS to be racist statements and/or actions.

Thirdly, you may know one or two blacks in your circle, which I'm sure is at least 90% RW, that don't agree with and/or like Obama and/or his policies, but you must realize that they are in the minority, like...a fraction. I can tell you that as an active member in the black community, folks are primed and ready to give Obama their FULL support. And this has been SINCE 2010, you know, when you RWers, read the Tea Party, in Congress and elsewhere really showed their backside and their intentions to crush Obama even it means crushing the country in the process.

 

[gallantwarrior]

I don't consider Obama particularly divisive on the subject of race. But then, I'm a white woman who works in a predominantly minority field in communities with large populations of brown and black people. I've had people LITERALLY in my face making racial comments, so there's nothing that Obama's done that is particularly troubling to me, in comparison. And, I don't have any problems talking about race, because it's something I've had to do--alot--for both personal and professional reasons.

Plus, my kids are half-Filipino, and have friends who are a veritable rainbow coalition.

So, in my house, race is just a sort of constant background noise. It's never not there, but most of the time, I just accept it and don't pay a lot of attention to it, until something shoves it my face again.

It is what it is, which is basically how my black friends seem to think about the subject.

This is perhaps THE best description of the black experience in the United States of America.

Kudos....

A few weeks ago, I was traveling with my son and his two friends. My son is white/pinoy. His best friend is white/black. The other friend, Cory, is black (and very dark).

We were walking through the parking lot of a subway when a man in a pickup truck almost ran me down. I threw up my hands in the air, because it scared the crap out of me, and said, "Learn to drive."

He didn't respond to me (the white woman, who had yelled at him). He yelled, "Fucking die, you ******!" at Cory, who was standing next to me.

I think that's the kind of shit that a lot of white Americans have never experienced because they don't live or travel or spend a lot of time with people of color. And, that's the kind of shit that makes me want to punch someone in the mouth and tell people that racism is still alive and well in America.

Some moron's words aren't going to keep Cory from going to school, getting a good education, or becoming professionally successful. Hell, he's a smart enough and likeable enough kid that maybe he could even become president.

But, it's still just like a hurtful punch in your gut that knocks the wind out of you and just leaves you reeling. I know it hurt him, because I could see his face. We all laughed it off, in the car, and talked about how ignorant and stupid people can be.

But it still just sucks. And, there was nothing I could do to fix it, other than just love him and tell him that the guy was an idiot.

And, speaking for myself, I'm not sure how many times I could hear something like that about myself without really taking it personally.

How often do you think something like that happens? So you help the kid deal with a jerk. That's a good thing. But do you tell him he needs to take revenge on the entire white race because of a one-in-a-million asshole? I doubt it.
I don't deny there are racists. Racism comes in all colors, by-the-way. Whites haven't got the market cornered on that particular failing. And racists may be more numerous than is evident. But thinking a thing and acting on it are two very, very different cases.

 

[Ravi]

Why do so many on the Right feel this way?

Anyone...?

Good question. I've been called a racist right here at USMB because I thought another poster was being racist.

I think it's just an attack they fall back on because they are too stupid to admit that their views are racist.

 

[California Girl]

I've been spat at by a black female for dating a 'brother'. I've been called a 'fucking whore' by a white guy for dating a black guy. Do I assume that they are they are representative of their race/gender? No. I see them for what they are... fucking ignorant assholes.... and those individuals exist in all races. It's sad, but it is what it is. Happily, those people are a dying minority. I pity them.

 

[WillowTree]

Why do so many on the Right feel this way?

Anyone...?

Good question. I've been called a racist right here at USMB because I thought another poster was being racist.

I think it's just an attack they fall back on because they are too stupid to admit that their views are racist.

why do you condone racism?

 

[gallantwarrior]

First, out of the dozens of unfortunate incidents, like the Martin case, that occur in this country every day, why does obama sound off about this specific case?

He gave a 20 second answer to a question asked at a press conference. Have you seen his entire answer, or just the 5 second clip that's been lifted from the entire content by conservative media outlets?

He stated that the incident was a tragedy, and that local, state, and federal agencies should collaborate on answering the remaining questions about what happened.

It was not at all inflammatory, in context (IMO).

No. But it hasn't been taken in context by either side, has it? A man in his position must be more cautious about what he chooses to opine upon. People do place more weight on his words than on another's.

 

[California Girl]

Why do so many on the Right feel this way?

Anyone...?

Good question. I've been called a racist right here at USMB because I thought another poster was being racist.

I think it's just an attack they fall back on because they are too stupid to admit that their views are racist.

Hi 5! Me too! In fact, TruthMocker started a thread about my 'racism'. She is a sad critter.... particularly since she's the one who called a black guy 'Oreo'. That's racist, that is.

 

[Ravi]

Why do so many on the Right feel this way?

Anyone...?

Good question. I've been called a racist right here at USMB because I thought another poster was being racist.

I think it's just an attack they fall back on because they are too stupid to admit that their views are racist.

why do you condone racism?

What's the matter, Willow? Did you mix alcohol and anti-dementia pills yet again?

 

[catzmeow]

How often do you think something like that happens? So you help the kid deal with a jerk. That's a good thing. But do you tell him he needs to take revenge on the entire white race because of a one-in-a-million asshole? I doubt it.
I don't deny there are racists. Racism comes in all colors, by-the-way. Whites haven't got the market cornered on that particular failing. And racists may be more numerous than is evident. But thinking a thing and acting on it are two very, very different cases.

He told me that it happens to him a lot...a couple of times a month.

My advice to him was that there are a lot of idiots out there in the world, and if you want to be somebody, you can't waste your time worrying what they think. You have to chalk it up to the fact that they're stupid and pitiful, and keep on moving.

I understand that racism is something that any race can play.

My only point is that young black men probably deal with this shit being pushed into their faces on a more regular basis than many white people would imagine. The perspectives are different because the experiences are different.