Racism Is Unacceptable. It Cuts Beyond The Political Game. It Is Real, And It Is Shameful.

I can't sit back so quietly any longer. After watching Olbermann's special comment tonight, I knew in my heart he was right. I didn't agree with every single aspect of what he said, but I didn't need to in order to recognize that the core of what he was saying, the spirit of what he was saying, was absolutely right.

This is a post of objectivity and reality. It is a post that is as real as it gets from me.

As soon as I learned about Ferraro's comments I was immediately bothered by them. But because of my DU addiction and the tone of GDP, instead of focusing directly on that issue I instead felt inclined to protect Hillary from the backlash, since I knew some would try and connect it to her. At the time, knowing how disgusted I had been, I felt confident that Hillary would quite quickly condemn with force those remarks and issue an unmistakably clear statement that such comments are reprehensible. Unfortunately, as I type this right now, that hasn't occurred and it is too late to change that.

I've seen defenses of Ferraro's statements, and I let many slide because lord knows the Clinton side here gets beat up enough already. But there is a line sometimes that transcends politics and candidates, and racism is one of them.

Geraldine's comments were beyond a shadow of a doubt racist, even though I am convinced that she doesn't BELIEVE that they were. But one need not believe in something being racist for it to in fact be racist. The fact of the matter is that she used his race as the defining characteristic of why he is where he is. It was said in a condescending way and almost with resentment. Now granted, I understand how passionate she is that Hillary be the nominee, but politics should never trump the concept of finding racism unacceptable. It was if with her comments, she was implying that Obama could've just been any black man, and that it's all some game of "Hey!!! Let's boost up a black guy for once! It's time!". That is, in essence, what she was attempting to get at. She was acting like if you take away the fact he's black, then he would've been home licking his wounds by now. By saying such a thing, she is undermining him as not being a person just like anyone else, but instead just being a novelty; a black novelty. Yes, such a mindset is most certainly racist.

But the problem is that she doesn't even know it. In fact, those continuing to defend her don't even know it. That's a huge problem, and one that's even more of a problem than blatant racism.

I say that because racism still permeates our society to unacceptable degrees. It's softer than it used to be, it's more hidden than it used to be, it's more subtle than it used to be, but it exists just the same. The fact of the matter is that so many in our society continue to be so blind to the subtle racism that exists everywhere, and continue to let it slide as if it's ok. Make no mistake; it isn't. Geraldine and others don't recognize that her words were racist because they're so ACCUSTOMED to such things being ok to say. They're accustomed to the nuances and subtleties of racism that permeate our society, and aren't aware enough to actually recognize the racism.

That's what bothers me about all of this. It's the fact that we have grown as a society to recognize blatant in your face racism and for the most part when displayed our society stands up and condemns such things. But what is so sad is that subtle racism, nuanced racism and justtttttt approaching the line type racism, is largely ignored and ofttimes not even recognized by so many. This is the 21st century. By now, any display of racism should glare out to us all like a piece of food stuck in someone's teeth. But that's not the case. Sometimes, we need to be spoonfed the explanations of racism in order to see it at all, and even then sometimes still fail to understand. But my friends, that just simply is not good enough. Racism, subtle or otherwise, is simply unacceptable.

Back to the issue. Hillary of all people should be able to recognize racism when confronted with it. She had the opportunity, yet for political reasons; since Geraldine was probably valuable as a friend to her; chose lazy dismissal of the incident over doing the right thing and outright condemning it strongly and in unwavering fashion. That was a mistake. It was even more of a mistake because this issue had visibility. Whenever an issue of racism arises in an arena where a strong message against it could be sent to MILLIONS, such an opportunity should NEVER be missed. Not for politics, not for convenience, not for ANY reason. She had the chance to send the right message to the american people. She had the chance to remind everyone that racism is simply unacceptable; period. I'm saddened to say this opportunity was in fact missed, and it makes my heart heavy to say that.

It makes my heart heavy because I know when it comes right down to it, we aren't as far ahead in this society as we should be. Racism, though in a more subtle way, is still far too acceptable to far too many, and that, in and of itself, is a disgrace.

To any Hillary supporters who won't condemn Geraldine: I ask you to reconsider. Step back from politics for a second and try and see what is right. Please, please agree that racism, even when subtle, is unacceptable and not something that ANY of us should tolerate or keep silent about. Remember what I'm about to say, and remember it LOUD and CLEAR: What you tolerate, you teach.

We cannot continue to teach others around us that subtle racism is ok. It isn't. It is every bit as unacceptable as blatant racism. Please realize that.

Obama is most definitely not where he is on account of being black. Her saying so, even without realizing she was doing so, exposed her as someone who is still a victim to the inherent acceptance of the subtle racism around us. To those who condemn racism and can recognize subtle racism, we all know that her comments were disgusting and inaccurate. I hope those who have not gotten there yet will step back from the bias of politics and try and reach a level where they can see just why this is true.

Obama is where he is because he is a talented, intelligent, inspiring and motivational politician. Unfortunately, that gets muddied because as a society and as this primary season has readily exposed in many ways, we are still way too consumed with racism and sexism when viewing our society as a whole. I'm saddened to have to say that, but it's the truth. Because of that, some men have gone to Obama, some women have gone to Hillary, some african americans have aligned with Obama, and minor bigots to major bigots have gone to Hillary. The rest of their support has been from regular people who don't give a shit that she's a woman or he an african american, but instead just view them as, well, good candidates.

But because of the inherent sexism and racism that still permeates our society, both gender and race have come into play. That's a shame, but it's the truth. It kinda proved that even if in the end of it all we DO elect our first woman or african american president, that there were large parts of the country still not thrilled to have done either. My god we should be so much better than that by now. I've seen throughout this season that we're not, though thankfully many of us are. Just simply not enough of us (us meaning our society in general).

But as it relates to Obama, he is competitive and ahead because of who he is, as a HUMAN BEING. Sure, he is getting almost all of the black vote with many of them doing so due to race. But we can't view that in a vacuum. When combining those going to Hillary because of gender, with those going to Hillary due to their own minor if not major bigotry issues, those numbers are almost undoubtedly a wash. See, when you break down the numbers and try and discern %'s of those voting genuinely, meaning on the candidates' merits instead of races or genders, you'd see that it is still an amazingly competitive race with Obama likely ahead. So if the black vote was more evenly split as we'd expect otherwise, if the southern males (and many others for that matter) weren't racist, if some weren't picking Hillary based on gender, we'd likely see that they'd BOTH still be competitive and that the numbers given back to each in the respective categories would still put Obama as being ahead. So saying he's ahead because of being black, or because of blacks aligning with him, is just an exercise of stupidity. It is patently false.

But it is so easy for people to say that. It is so easy for people to dismiss, and at times even approve of, Geraldine's comments. That is UNACCEPTABLE. Her comments were racist whether intentionally so or not. They are not readily recognized by some as being such because as a society, we tolerate and accept far too much racism and are so accustomed to such things as being normal, that it doesn't cause us alarm. But that needs to come to an end. It starts with sending a strong message EACH and EVERY time such racism, subtle or not, is detected. It starts with all of us. Hillary had the chance to declare to millions that even subtle racism is unacceptable. She missed that opportunity. I'm very disappointed in her for that. But I'm not gonna miss mine. I AM going to make a strong statement against Geraldine's comments and other people's acceptance of them. In fact, I just did.

Racism is unacceptable. Always. Period.

Please, stand up and declare the same.

This is a great post.

Most excellent.

Bravo

Edited to add: Thanks for taking the high road.

Well done. If people on both sides could speak about issues this calmly and rationally, GDP would be a joy.

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Her actions represent the very thing republican claim we democrats, and they do regarding black people. They have accused in the last few years, that we only think black people succeed due to the special favors given to them by affirmative action. I've been fighting that perception, I've been claiming it to be just a republican invention to cheapen the idea that we are just trying to level a long skewed playing field. But her remarks are a classic example of exactly what Rush Limbaugh would have said.

I think of the phrase a lot of people used to utter when accused of racism; "Some of my best friends are black." It's hard to see the racism in this remark, but it is there, in a very subtle form.

One other comment I'd make about this is the perception that it was a lone act by her. Sure, I think some acts are individual, but a lot more of these things are orchestrated by the campaigns that we care to believe. There is a lot more incentive for a losing campaign to use these methods, and in her case racism. Did she do it alone, or was it the plan, to make the remark, to resign from the campaign, and run around in indignant on all the television shows to continue making the point.

Looking at the motivation it is clear the effect they hope to derive. Blacks are already voting 90/100 for Obama, so they aren't going to lose a lot of votes. But the whole reason the racial thing has risen from Clinton in SC, to now is clear. They are trying to shave off white voters from Obama, by attempting to draw him into a black/white situation. There are still a lot more caucasians out there, and she has more hispanics. He's stayed above the fray, but it may be working to some extent. But making it black and white is exactly the strategy for which they were aiming.

where it doesn't exist.

This morning's paper the Elkhart Truth (Elkhart, In) it stated that Obama is going to Indiana to speak. Further in the article it stated that the majority of the voters in Indiana are black. This was uncalled for, and the writer was the AP.
This language is uncalled for, everyone should remember not everyone is of one blood. I maybe but my children are not and their children are not. We don't call them mix breeds do we.
Stop the racial bull crap now, and lets get our country back.
I hope to get a chance to vote in a new primary, I live in Michigan and voted uncommitted.

the Rw have been playing you and many on this board. If we keep on the "he said she said" train we are bound to be derailed come November.

" Buchanan’s strategies were Rove-esque before Karl Rove had even graduated from high school. Buchanan and his top aide recommended staging counterfeit attacks by one Democrat on another, arranging demonstrations and spreading rumors to bring down the opposition, fouling up scheduled events, all the while being careful not to arouse the suspicions of authorities. Nixon was elected in 1968, and Buchanan went with him, becoming a White House speechwriter and advisor."

"Keep an eye out for Buchanan ’08. He’s still a bundle of anger, outrage, aggression, intolerance, and he’s not done with America yet."

http://www.campusprogress.org/tools/282 /

I applaud the poster for refusing to board that train. We all need to remind our candidates and each other to stick to the issues and not fall into the same trap that the Repugs have been setting since 1972.

We're fast setting up a scenario in which one of these parties is going to be pissed off enough to just fucking stay home in November.

And we'll end up with Gimpy.

And then the party will tear itself to shreds.

I think the party is gonna split in two.

all his efforts into making sure he's this campaign's Al Sharpton because he knew that was the way for a black man to win the presidency.

Geez, how ridiculous can you get.

Apparently not.

Black voters are clearly siezing an opportunity to make history. But they are also clearly doing so of their own free will. Obama has not asked for or assumed that he would receive such a percentage of the vote.

Frankly, running against a Clinton, he had no right to expect it.

So, stop acting like his campaign is built upon it.

I hope they're paying you folks enough for this duty.

You've definitely helped. Recommended.

You're true to yourself OMC. You've always been that way and even when I've disagreed with you I admired that about you.

I'm glad to see you standing up like this. You really belong on the side where people have their eyes OPEN. It's more your style.

But whatever. I'm just glad to see the truth about this being stood up for no matter where it comes from.

"By saying such a thing, she is undermining him as not being a person just like anyone else, but instead just being a novelty; a black novelty. Yes, such a mindset is most certainly racist.

But the problem is that she doesn't even know it. In fact, those continuing to defend her don't even know it. That's a huge problem, and one that's even more of a problem than blatant racism.

I say that because racism still permeates our society to unacceptable degrees. It's softer than it used to be, it's more hidden than it used to be, it's more subtle than it used to be, but it exists just the same."

I have recognized and been say this (not in the same word) for forever. But you got it you understand it is the subtle racism that is our biggest problem that the blatant form.

This my be the BEST post I ever read here. This is Ph.D material.

defend such statements as made. I've called out Obama supporters and troll-rated them on Dailykos for using the word "bitch" and I've troll-rated Clinton supporters for making racist statements on Dailykos as well. I am a Democrat, and the Democratic Party is supposed to be the bastion of progressive values that seek to move us past racism and sexism and other forms of bigotry in our society. It's not right when a Democratic candidate uses racism in our society as a dog-whistle to racist supporters. That should be condemned in our own party, because we don't expect it from Democrats---we expect it from Republicans.

The Democratic Party CANNOT afford to cast off such a faithful part of its coalition due to casual racism and we have to speak up against it.

It is sad that Ferraro seems incapable of standing back and seeing why what she said was wrong.

... but it's possible that Ferraro's aggressive defensiveness is calculated, to stir certain sentiments amongst a targeted demographic.

Thank you very much.

"When combining those going to Hillary because of gender"
If your claim that analyzing voters preference by race is racist.Why are you not a sexist pig?
Im not saying that you are or are not.
But I think your racism cries are totally unjustified and Obama is manipulative for creating the issue.
The great uniter is being divisive.
There is real racism in the world.For you all to make a big deal out of this only cheapens true outrage for racism.

of drawing the line where something is too racist as opposed to being a little racist, but not enough to get bothered by. So you think you're the one to draw this line? Ferraro said that Obama would not be where he was were he not black, a statement carrying a possibly unintended (but who cares) subtext that he's otherwise not good enough to be a presidential candidate, or God forbid president.

Now, that's a racist statement; and it's not on the same level as putting on a white robe and firebombing a black family's house, but it's racist. So, now that you've essentially offered to draw the line for us on how racist is TOO racist, I'm happy to sit back and watch you draw that line. Have a lot of fun with it.

"subtext that he's otherwise not good enough to be a presidential candidate, or God forbid president."
If you draw that assumption ,you are the problem.

That's enough.

Talk about intentionally wrong-headed. Where is that cake?

And the OP is a class act. Usually those who are the most delusional cannot see it in themselves but freely point it out to others.

Above all, to thine own self be true and that is what we have witnessed from OMC, that and kindness a thing sorely lacking around here lately.

You are turning on someone who has been a major supporter of Senator Clinton on this board. OMC has consistently defended her and her campaign. You should be listening to the OP.

I simply disagree.You all are making a big deal out of nothing just to elevate your candidate.Obama is encouraging it.Obama should learn to practice what he preaches and stop causing "bickering".
So muich for his words,they have no meaning.

Might lend a little credibility to your drivel if you used proper punctuation. Just a thought.

Well said.

When you really care about your candidate. K and R.

Thank you.

Frankly, I'm waiting for the e-mail. You know the one I'm talking about. It'll come from that guy who sent the one about Barak going to school at a madrassa and won't say the Pledge of Allegiance. It'll be all about how Obama has been handed everything from college admissions to the forefront of the Democratic Party because he was lucky enough to be born black.

I have to say, a week ago it was a toss-up for me between Obama and Clinton. This week has sure made things a lot clearer.

I agree with OMC.

I respect your heartfelt candor. As Democrats we need to stand up and be counted - racism - sexism - ageism and any other ism are wrong. If we can't agree on that we don't deserve to win an election for dog catcher let lone POTUS. I respect your courage and your honesty.

May the BEST candidate win.

I will admit I have disagreed with many things you have said in the past, but this post is so beautifully stated that it makes up for everything you have said that has made me want to bang my head into the wall.

It is good to see you being objective and being able to speak out against something coming from your own candidates campaign, I really wish more people would do that. I am not just talking about Clinton supporters either, Obama supporters also need to speak out when the Obama campaign crosses the line which it has on several occasions perhaps most notably the McClurkin incident.

If more people were willing to do what you just did we would have a much better world as our candidates would feel more accountable if they knew that not even their usual supporters would defend them if they crossed a certain line.

Please I encourage people to learn something from OMC's post no matter what candidate you support.

I'm glad to stand with you on this one.

thoughts, feeling, and attitudes that you just expressed, but you articulated it perfectly.

Thank you

K&R.

Well done, OMC. I knew I respected you for a reason.

Stand against racism. I stand proudly with you.

- as

You have been this close >< to being put on my ignore list but I will post to say I appreciate your thorough and well-thought out post.

Racism DOES go all ways. There is no doubt about it. But the issue, at least in this election cycle, is that maybe, just maybe, we can continue the multi-century process of getting beyond it... And I really do think the "new media" (internet, cable, etc) is helpful in that regard. When one is isolated, one becomes insular and just that lack of exposure to other people with other cultures and other points of view not only tends to lead to internalizing stereotypes, but leads to irrational fear of the "unknown" and eventually hatred.

Let us hope that we can heal.

Just kiddin you're back on.

Just kiddin you weren't on.

And yes, racism, like sexism and homophobia, needs to be met with our immediate, swift, and unequivocal condemnation.

but i keep reading your post. Thanks for watching KO, and for your thoughtful words. I know that was hard for Keith to do, but it needed to be said

Outstanding! Thank you for so eloquently stating what we less talented mortals could only dream of expressing.

I think I will look back at this post, this night, and recognize the beginning of the unification of the Democratic Party.

For the first time in a long time, DU's core has shone through its confusion.

Thanks.

Reading some of the defense offered for Ferraro's comments, I've wondered if I've fallen down the rabbit hole.

You have restored my faith in rationale discourse. Thank you for that.

that is one brilliant and introspective post. Cheers to you OMC.

Seriously, it is far better than 99.9% of anything you will read in the national print media.

a tremendous positive impact on how they run their campaign going forward. I just don't understand how her AA supporters can sit by and watch this without saying something publicly, especially Maxine Waters. I'm very disappointed.

Recommended.

Thank you so much for speaking out about this, your gracious heart is shining like a beacon

that I can unequivocally say .... that maybe some common sense, sanity, is returning to DU GD-P. Rationality, truth, looking within ourselves, finding answers. Thanks OMC ... a very healing post.

ps: Still keeping an eye on you just the same, !!! Peace. K&R.

In this toxic environment, it takes courage to admit when your candidate is wrong about something. There have been several times over the past couple months when something has been said about one of the candidates that I had hoped we could all get together and agree was wrong (this episode, Shuster's comment about Chelsea, Republicans attacking Obama's patriotism, Steve King), but it hasn't happened, and that is upsetting to me. Regardless of candidate preference, we should all be outraged when a Republican congressman says that terrorists will be dancing in the street if one of our candidates gets elected president, but instead I saw comments here along the lines of "Obama deserves it because he failed to denounce McClurkin". I applaud you for being honest and being willing to call out racism when you see it despite how it reflects on your candidate.

As an Obama supporter, I am disappointed with Clinton's failure to denounce Ferraro's comments more forcefully, just as have been disappointed with Obama for not denouncing certain surrogates at times. But I don't believe she is a racist, just as I don't believe Obama is homophobic.

Again, thanks for standing up and making a statement about racism that we as Democrats should all be able to get behind regardless of our candidate preference.

I recognize subtle racism because I've grown up in Helms country. I've even seen pols down here in the past taking advantage of it. Where I never thought I'd see it is in our primary. Stupidly, I thought it had pretty much had gone away at least through it's recognizability. But all this has been quite depressing. Hope the party mends and people get a grip. We were given a gift in the unpopularity of our republican opposition. I hope we don't blow it for the stupidity lately.

My hat's off to you, OMC. K&R

No one has said it better IMHO.

This is the OP of someone for whom truth and justice is more important than devotion to a candidate.

I commend you, OMC. You are a tremendous person.

A real mensch, you are.

Got a good soul even though you're a cratchety old fuck half the time.

you are a brave and valiant soul. I commend you, and agree with you wholeheartedly.

it is the most hopeful thread I have read in a long time given your very deep committments.

(you still drive me crazy a lot of the time lol)

This is an extremely moving post. I think it inspires us so much because you've demonstrated true integrity, which is always in some way the act of choosing principle over immediate interests and loyalty. I think integrity is the core of political and moral responsibility. Too much of the discourse now, and over the last 7 years, has been nothing but fighting with words, the clash of rigid loyalties, with everyone holding their opponents to standards they don't meet, failing to listen as well as they want to be heard, refusing to credit the other side with good ideas, leaping to judge a point of view solely by the loyalties of its speaker. Integrity is independence of judgment and self-honesty. Fundamentally, it is what makes progress possible where it otherwise would be permanently hampered by refusals to break loyalties or cede to principle.

I'm ready to bury the hatchet with you.


You're the real deal, and I'm proud to call you a fellow Democrat.

After all... that's OMC's signature style.

Seriously, Crime, excellent post. Thanks for sharing that. For once, you're right.



NGU.

It's time to call what's wrong wrong.

And please note - I understand that this isn't an abandonment of Hillary or an endorsement of Barack.

You are just speaking your truth about this incident.

Again, I'm impressed.

Her initial ramblings might be excused as speaking spontaneously and not as part of the campaign's strategy. But when those remarks became well-publicized and controversial, she undoubtedly would have spoken with high level people at the campaign, if not Clinton herself. And was Ferraro quieted? Was she publicly rebuked or dismissed? No, she was sent back out to claim publicly that she was only being attacked because she was white.

Well, thanks for clearing that up once and for all. This has removed all doubt that the Clintons have been making strong appeals for the votes of racists. By saying she had been attacked because she was white, Ferraro was speaking to, and for, every pissed off white person who thinks they haven't gotten a job, or accepted to a college, because of the lucky blacks who have been given everything without having to work for it (don't forget, Hillary's a hard worker!--not like some people we know). She's a white person being victimized by blacks again.

I posted a thread here at DU the morning after New Hampshire in which I said I thought the Clintons had been using subtle racist stereotypes. I was pretty much laughed at, but I still believed it was true. Besides the Clintons' comments that had caused a bit of eyebrow-raising and had been publicly discussed, what had struck me as odd was how Hillary was always emphasizing how hard she works. This is certainly true, but it is probably true of most highly successful people. But one of the biggest stereotypes by racists is that blacks are lazy. I thought the Clintons were trying to push the racist stereotype, especially prevalent in sports, that Obama is a naturally gifted speaker--born "lucky" as Ferraro would say--and he had not had to work hard for his newfound status. The gritty, fighting Hillary (who nonetheless surrendered the majority of states in this campaign without putting up a fight) would compete for us just as she is competing against the gifted black guy who was born with all the advantages.

The Ferraro comments coincide perfectly with the narrative about Obama that I thought the Clintons were intent on developing since Hillary lost Iowa. I think there can no longer be any doubt of that. I know it's going to be a lot worse against the republicans--but we're not republicans! That's why we're Democrats, because we don't go for that kind of shit.

I'm glad you have stepped back and tried to see the big picture. When you get so intensely caught up in something it's hard to see things as they clearly are (and that's also the reason I'd much rather have Obama pick up that red phone--he keeps an emotional distance). When the republican shitstorm comes at Obama, we're going to need everyone to help stand up to it. It's good to know we can count on you.

edited to add: I do not think the Clintons are racists. But I do think they will try to win the votes of racists if they think it would win the presidency.

You might want to post that as a separate thread.

I agree, it should be its own post. The "blacks are just being lazy" meme has been out there forever and it would be easy for them to incorporate it without looking deliberate. The "hard worker" and "fighter" themes are really subtle but there all the same.

I'm not a Clinton supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but I can't blame her campaign for this.

I've posted this a few times before, but I remember Ferraro making veiled could-be racist comments as far back as 1988. She spoke at my university, and took a question re: Jesse Jackson's campaign. It was during the primary season, and Jackson had some serious momentum going. He had won a couple primaries and had taken 2nd place in my state's caucuses only a few weeks prior to Ferraro's appearance.

Ferraro all but dismissed Jackson (and his campaign). She said much the same thing about Jackson as she said about Obama: that he wouldn't be getting any attention if he were not a black man, and that he should not be a factor in the primaries.

Ironically enough, it was probably due to the massive voter registration efforts of Jackson and the Rainbow Coalition in many southern states that led to the Senate going Democratic in 1986, and Bill Clinton's victory of 1992.

I couldn't agree more.

I hope everyone reads this and thinks deeply about its implications.

Bravo.

You have my respect.

I haven't always agreed with you, but you hit this right between the eyes. Thanks for this, it is brilliant.

And I know you are a proud Clinton supporter, as well you should be. I'm a proud Obama supporter that loves Queensryche so we have some common ground.

Whichever AWESOME candidate gets the nom, we will, more than likely, be forced to work overtime against the right-wing hate machine that will attack with either racism or sexism. I believe our candidate and you/we/I will beat back that torrent and deliver the presidency to our nominee. So say we all.

K&R!

n/t

albeit more hidden than in the past.



How many posts are needed to recommend or start ones own thread?

I guess I thought most of the racists had already gone to the Republicans, but this primary season has made me realize how wrong I was about that.

And happy about the long list of positive posts here.

FOXNEWS.COM HOME > BIO

Geraldine Ferraro

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,34759,00.html

and keep it kicked.

We are sick and tired of the hate and the division.

...All the time! Very Rovian I mmight add.

Not what this thread is for.


(The OP is a Hillary supporter, by the way.)

Piling-on when someone has made a statement of such magnanimous and eloquent contrition is bad form.

I agree with the sentiments and thoughts in your OP. It's posts like these that make for DUers that I can respect.

Thank you for recognizing the obvious, but also for going into details about the more subtle forms of racist language that often passes below the radar of even the best intentions. This is important, and we are all learning to get over these things together.

When someone makes a comment that has racist (or sexist, homophobic, etc) overtones, or contains a mockery of accents or dialect, what is the best reaction? THAT is a very difficult question, and I struggle with that, and often get it wrong.

As you say in your post, we should not accept even subtle racist remarks, even if the person is likely unaware of the impact of these remarks. “That which we tolerate, we teach” -- I agree, and have tried to do so for decades now. Unfortunately, most of the time the reaction is a variation on the following:
“I was just joking!”
“You are too sensitive! Political correctness is against my free speech!”
“You think you are perfect, and are just being condescending!”

What is the best response to that kind of reaction?

Just weeks ago, I decided to do just that - when a fellow DUer made an analogy using a faux asian “guru” voice -- “kicking someone in nuts, very bad. Very very bad. Don't do this. This bring great dishonor...“ -- I jumped in and said it was racist BS. He came down hard on me for that and said it was just a joke, and that I was “stupid” and he was “laughing his ass off” about it. True, it was a digression from the main point, and I really did not want to argue the main point. It was a case of correcting some errors I saw in the analogy, as well as offensive -- but I did it in a snarky way, as the characterization pissed me off. And that probably wasted a possible “teaching moment” because of my tone.

Heck, I can do impersonations of Apu, or Cletus, or Master Po myself. Does that make me a racist? Should I stop doing that? Context is important! But gauging that context is often tricky, especially on the fly, or on a discussion board...

In retrospect, I think I reacted too harshly toward that DUer for the racist angle, and my main problem is the constant insults and name calling so prevalent in GDP. It is very much the key to the racism we are talking about. And that is, of course, RESPECT. Even as we decry racism, we should be examining how we treat others on a discussion board. Just because we can't see each other does not mean we should not show respect to each other. Without taking that into consideration, any calls to fighting racism ring hollow.

I am certainly not perfect, for sure. Far from it. Maybe I am too sensitive, or don't always appreciate a joke when “funny” impersonations are used. Maybe because my sister is Vietnamese and one of my best friend's wife is Chinese color my experience in this regard. But that sensitivity comes before that, born of comparative studies since childhood. I am a humanist to the core. Even so, I can find myself in need of re-calibrating a term or phrase. Years ago, that sister corrected me once when I used the word “oriental rug” . She was shocked that I used the term and said so. Instead of getting defensive, I first acknowledged her point, then asked why it was a problem, and a good discussion ensued about accepting colonialist framing and terms. I learned from that, and thankfully, reacted properly. Do do otherwise would have been embarrassingly stupid of me, and I would still be feeling shame.

The real question is how to address comments without triggering a defensive reaction instead of a “Hey, you have a point there” reaction.
A discussion of the best ways to correct these more subtle cases would be a good step - one positive thing to take from it would be that both the learning and teaching process makes us better people, more open to actually SEE the world around us. It is a process that enlightens us all.

But humor is a much more complex issue. Obviously, we can't just reject anything that would offend anyone at any time, or we'd be reduced to knock-knock jokes. On the other hand, it's good to be sensitive to those who feel like they've been subjected to too much mockery in their lives.

Ultimately, I think the content and context of a joke are both very important - who/what is being made light of, who's telling the joke, and to what audience. A clear case of this (to me at least) are the "gay jokes" that always pop up in response to Republican sex scandals (e.g. Larry Craig), with some being annoyed or offended by the jokes, while those who tell them probably have no idea that they could be construed as offensive.

Because a message board is an environment where it's especially difficult to gauge intent, it's probably best to be careful what jokes we tell here, and what words/expressions we use, since our posts are likely being read by hundreds or thousands of people who don't know us or what we're about. Things that may be perfectly all right within one's own social circle may not fly here, or as the case may be, might get one TS'd.

If I hadn't used my rec earlier, your words here would have easily earned it. Bookmarked

Thanks OMC

Saying this sort of thing to a campaign you support can be painful within your own mind and can attract attacks from people less open than yourself; I hope you don't take too much flak for this OP.

I join you in saying - "Racism is unacceptable"!

It's been a long time since I've read anything this powerful on DU.
Well done.

the people here would be up in arms and calling them on it. Since it is coming at Obama from Hillary's team, many people here say it is okay. It is never okay! NEVER! It should be beneath us here to even allow anyone to defend it. Obama is a black male, big deal! He is a fantastic candidate and deserves an opportunity to run for any position in this country. It is time to realize he is a man running for the Presidency, period. Hit him at his beliefs and anything else but leave his race out of it.

Words that needed to be said, and you have my respect for saying them. We may not always agree, especially at this time of year, but you have my respect for being a decent, honest caring human being who puts justice above politics. Peace

PS. K&R

It is always wrong, as is sexism.

Excellent post, OMC.

standing up for principle and decency.

Thank you for your heartfelt post.

case in point....the video that the Clinton campaign was accused of darkening and widening. I've yet to see an apology from anybody on this board when it was proved to be bullshit.

.

Beautifully said!

..we turn away from our soul. We all have a center of love and kindness and the truth reaches that. Keith said what he said as he loves Americans and just wants what is best for the countryand it to live to is ideals he is consistent. For this he has my admiration and reverence. Had HRC had a pospositive campaign and a positive vision I would celebrate it with all of her supporters and would beam with pride for bothof them.

I appreciate your honesty and thoughtfulness. K&R

thank you for your eloquent words that perhaps help some who didn't see the racism - to see
it better now.

for Geraldine not to see his talent is probaly the most worrying thing. Let's movethe focus from race Obama would want it this way his goal is unity. A great post btw.

" let's go change the world"