Dowd misses it. Here's the real work of racism

[ProSense]

Dowd misses it. Here's the real work of racism

by Guinho

There is a rec'd diary about Dowd's op-ed piece about the reporting (or lack thereof)on the racism in some opposition to Obama. And yes, we've heard a whole lot about how racism made Joe Wilson scream during Obama's speech ), or how racism was behind Skip Gates' arrest (since that'd never happen to a white person, right?). Powerful stuff.

but it misses the point.

Actually, it misses it by about 2 inches, since the real story was next door in Barbara Ehrenreich's piece, which hasn't been diaried as far as I can tell. Yes, racism is alive and doing far too well in America, but Dowd's examples aren't the real story. Instead, the real story of racism is the unflashy, day-to-day experience that leads to more friction for black people than for white. This day-to-day is laid out brilliantly in an op-ed piece by (another white woman) and something of a hero of mine, Barbara Ehrenreich, along with Dedrick Muhammad.

This is where the fight really lies.

I am writing this in part out of frustration with how racism is discussed on this blog. Instead of these symbolic examples, why has dkos been eerily silent on the economic status of our African American countrymen and women? You want to see racism in action? Forget Skip Gates. Look to the average hardworking black men and women who don't have retirement accounts. Look to the economic impacts of the "downturn" on whites and blacks. that's where the rubber meets the road.

In her latest piece, Ehrenreich and Muhammad(if you haven't read Nickle and Dimed, buy a copy now), report on the economic trends since 2000 among African Americans

It is sobering reading. This is the real face of racism in this country.

A few salient points:

for African-Americans the recession is over. It occurred from 2000 to 2007, as black employment decreased by 2.4 percent and incomes declined by 2.9 percent. During those seven years, one-third of black children lived in poverty, and black unemployment — even among college graduates — consistently ran at about twice the level of white unemployment.

A recession is defined as contracting economic activity. For the nation of African Americans, if tallied as a separate economic unit, we're in the ninth year of the recession. If it recession is over, it's because a full depression has bitten home. Nine years.

more

It took "you lie" to awaken Dowd, but Joe Wilson's disrespect is a clue that the problem runs much deeper.



edited for clarity

[ensho]

1. kick

nt

[AspenRose]

2. I don't think it's an either/or

Both articles tell the truth and it's important for both stories (the bigger one and the one that doesn't get as much exposure) to be told.

[ProSense]

3. This isn't presented as an either or. n/t

[AspenRose]

4. Well, when they say "Dowd misses it"

it could put the context into an implied either/or, implying that she missed the point entirely. I don't think she "missed" or overlooked anything - she was on point. What she DID do is merely scratch the surface and *not go deeper* to the root, and in my mind that's different. This commentary picks up where she left off, and gets to the meat of the issue, but they're both in the same ballpark. If she missed anything, it was an opportunity to go deeper. But I don't think she missed the main point at all. And that is where the ambiguity lies with the "Dowd misses it" comment.

I think commentary about the importance and pervasiveness of the issue beyond the big picture could have been made without dragging Dowd's commentary into it at all. It's important enough that it can stand alone.

K&R

[nightrain]

6. yep. Both writings are essential.

[CakeGrrl]

7. I agree with this. I think Dowd's commentary was important because

a) she admitted to being reluctant to ascribe previous occurrences to racism against Obama prior to the Wilson outburst - how many of that op-ed's readers fit that bill?

b) any inroad into mainstream media coverage of this issue helps. It's a topic that people generally don't want to acknowledge, much less discuss. Yes, there are many layers and facets to racism, but a lot of the discussion has been preaching to the converted. If Dowd's piece reaches some of her contemporaries who don't give racial issues much thought, it's a success.

[Danascot]

5. SC Congressman Jim Clyburn:

“In South Carolina politics, I learned that the olive branch works very seldom,” (my father) said. “You have to come at these things from a position of strength. My father used to say, ‘Son, always remember that silence gives consent.’ ”

[Cha]

8. I love that

quote.

[angee_is_mad]

9. Kick

and thank you.