Reply #172: I agree ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

There is (or should be) more that unites us than separates us.

But re-reading this thread, I am struck with two observations: first, we can never have an honest discussion on the topic of race, so long as so many Democrats/Progressives/Liberals reflexively ascribe to themselves the suggested indictment directed of the few. It seems that whenever a Black person suggests that a Democrat/Progressive/Liberal's conduct MIGHT be interpretted as racist ... DUers close ranks, with great vigor and passion, dismissing the claim as unfounded.

But reading the defenses, they are mostly cast in terms of absolutionist terms, as if suggesting one Democrat/Progressive/Liberal of acting in a manner that can be interpretted as racist, is an indictment of all Democrats/Progressives/Liberals, and that specific DUer in particular.

Secondly, and relatedly, (and here my conspiracy theorist leanings show through brightly) we all know that republicans have been attempting to drive a wedge between Democrats/Progressives/Liberals, and it appears to be working. This, and other threads on the subject, show that Democrats/Progressives/Liberals CAN be divided on the issue of race.

It is my greatest fear that white Democrats/Progressives/Liberals will be a little less likely to support this Black president because "after all ... they called/think me a racist, anyway."