On Talk of the Nation, Gerard Alexander spoke about how the Southern Strategy and why conservatives are unfairly labeled racist or xenophobic for their political views. While I am liberal both fiscally and socially, the analysis was interesting. Audio will be available later (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130216253)
I posted this in the Taibbi thread, and thought he did a good job on this topic. I know this doesn't speak to all conservatives, but "intent" isn't necessary for racist thinking.
"Interesting" is one word for it. Another word would be "revisionist". Or "obtuse". Or "myopic". Any of these would apply.
Racism is a word used to silence debate or discussion. This is a pity, because I think liberals can win these debates without resorting to smears.
I don't know about the textbook definition, but one problem with the racist label is that it certainly implies intent.
yeah bigots don't like when they get called out, it seems. they always want to play the hypothetical double standard "what if" game. they refer to the Bush years and bring up the hypothetical double standard that Bush was portrayed as a monkey at times, too. -That's racist! they always use Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in their "what if" game. -Where is the outrage from Al Sharpton?! then they get all territorial on Obama's mixed heritage- remembering to point out that our country's first Black President isn't All Black. and as previously pointed out, they love it when black political leaders and communities fail, using examples in Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans as constant "See We Told You So But We're Not Racists" reminders.
right. it is only a coincidence that the citizens of former Confederate States are still holding on to antiquated philosophies while being called racist or xenophobic in the process. the two do not correlate one bit.(Southern Conservatives) Stand Up For Yourselves, Victimized Majority!
I've gotten into over 20 debates with white conservatives and I’ve noticed that at least in 80% of these debates, if you refute all their points they will bring up racial elements for why they vote the way they do without realizing they have some racial prejudice. When I explained all of Obamas polices and tI noticed when hey had no coherent arguments left they went to Obamas pastor, something they think Obama said about white people, Black people and crime, welfare, immigration, the list goes on and on(inaccurately). The first few times it scared the crap out of me, but I now understand from talking to them directly that most of these Southern conservatives mask their prejudices with polices. You will be surprised how many times I heard white conservatives candidly admitting to me that the “white man” is the most discriminated person in the United States. SMH
Once conservatives stop emailing each other racist emails and photos of our president, then I might take this article seriously.
riiiiight. cause there is no such thing as racism on the left side of the table...AMIRITE? liberals are just as disgustingly lolrus as the other side.
what i hear you saying is that all white conservatives from the South are racists. that can't be what you mean...right?? i certainly don't consider myself a conservative. but i know lots of people who would identify themselves that way that i'd defend from any charge of racism.
Conservatism does not equal racism. However for 30 plus years mainstream conservative politicians such as Nixon, Reagan and the Bushes did not hesitate to use racism to appeal to racists to get their votes. George Bush I's father (Dubya's grandfather) was a senator from Connecticut and an early member of the NAACP. Bush I and II were not really racists personally but did not hesitate to appeal to racism to win elections. For that matter except for possibly Dubya after quitting drugging and drinking were they particlulary religious or against abortion or homosexuals. There is a famous instance in which Bush I lost IIRC an election for congress in West Texas early in his career and later said he would not ever lose again because he was seen as too liberal on race.
I havent had nearly the amount of debates as you have, in fact I havent had any debates at all. Just a mere observation, IRL and especially on this board, but whenever people cant defend an Obama policy or disagree with a conservative poster... Obama skin color is there go to argument. This sht works both ways, liberal are not immune to this bigotry and petulant tactics. pots, meet kettles. some peens are longer than others. commence contest.
Similarly many conservative and even moderates bring up racial elements when they are trying to say whyin America we can't have such benefits as health care for all, free college tuition, 4 weeks vacation, secure retirement and a largely middle class society like they have in Scandinavia and much of Western Europe.
Yet they support a party that consistently makes racist appeals, consistently tries to keep minorities from voting, and consistently tries to diminish minorities socially and economically. There are different types of racism. You would have a hard time convincing me anyone from Texas (including me) is not racist to some degree. Some of us recognize it and try to counter it, others don't. That's personal. Then you also have institutional racism, of which the current GOP is a primary example. It is there for anyone to see, from Willie Horton and Jesse Helms to Real America and the Heartland as defined by Palin. If you can see this... and I'm convinced most Republicans can and do... but you refuse to allow yourself to recognize it (forget about acting on it) and continue to support politicians and policies that engage in such, well, you're probably a racist. That doesn't mean you run around turning fire hoses on blacks and making them ride in the back of the bus, but let's face it... you're supporting people who make racist appeals. There are significant GOP positions that do not depend on any racist appeal whatsoever. Why then, do Republicans and Conservatives allow the people that stoop to such tactics have the run of the party? One of the reasons I vote for Democrats is because Democrats have been right on the big issues and they had the courage to rip their party apart over civil rights because it was the best thing to do for the country even though it was absolutely not the best thing to do for the Democratic Party. There were and are a lot of racist Dems, but there's also no question that the Democratic Party is the more diverse and inclusive party.
right. I am saying that all Southern Conservative Racists don't like being called racists. these are the ones that show up to rallies calling our president a monkey, then defending their free right to call the president a monkey.
When the GOP is sending out newsletters with this picture, it is hard to take the "not racist" claim seriously.
