Ruben Navarrette, who writes for the San Diego Union Tribune, has a column in the Seattle Times that hits the proverbial nail on the head in “Liberals don’t know what to do with nondeferential minorities”:
In the minds of many liberal Democrats, Hispanics and African Americans must seem to come in only two varieties: deferential or defective….So this is the Democrats’ dilemma. How are they supposed to market themselves to minorities as the one-and-only party of opportunity when Bush is putting nonwhite faces in high places? Better to try to paint the Republican Party as a restricted club, as Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean did recently when he described the GOP as “pretty much a white Christian party.” And minority Republicans as aberrations.
Ruben and I should meet for a cup of coffee. We could trade stories all day long.
I got an e-mail the other day from someone who says he’s a white liberal. He was writing to alert me that some of his conservative family and friends make “condescending remarks” about black people. Knowing human nature as I do (because I know my own so well), I have no doubt that his white conservative family and friends say negative things about blacks. And white liberals. And each other. And him. So what was his point?
That I’m being used by white conservatives.
In what way, you ask? Well, trying to follow his line of reasoning was difficult. From what I gathered, the mere fact that he’s heard white conservatives say nasty things about blacks means that since I hold views similar to theirs, I’m being used by the entire group. Perhaps as a patsy or a lapdog, playing the fall girl and delivering coded messages to the white nation. How should I know!? I’m only guessing. Don’t think about it too much, or you’ll get a brain cramp like I did. And please don’t ask me to post the entire e-mail. It won’t help you.
I could make a similar argument, a stronger one at that, about black liberals, but what’s the point?
Such correspondence used to raise my blood pressure, but now I let it roll off like water on a duck’s back. That’s just the way white liberals think. When they’re not calling me an ignorant bigot (sniveling behind aliases, of course), they’re giving me the “heads up” that I’m playing the House Negro for their conservative counterparts. I explained to the e-mailer, as I do with others, that God gave me a brain, and I manage to use it fairly well.
My opinions, which I stand behind publicly, every day on this blog, are mine. For all I care, neo-Nazis (white power!) can agree with every single word I write.
They keep forgetting to sign the checks, though. Hmmm…what’s up with that? 
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LaShawn,
In the administration are non-white faces you write. Is Michael Jackson a white face? He seems to be on TV? The Secretary of State and the Attorney General are non-white and seem to have
education and ability. However, getting conservative judges on the Supreme Court now is more important in the long run then the current apointments to cabinet. The only conservatives on
the Supreme Court are Thomas and Scalia. There should be an opening relatively soon. Would Janice
Rogers Brown be our pick? Certain groups would go
ballistic, but our principles would be served!
James M. Barber
Once again La Shawn, your honesty is so refreshing!
I really like what you said about the chances being good that someone from a white conservative family will say an occasional bad thing about blacks…..And white liberals……And each other!
I’ll infer from your post that ALL people will say “bad things” about some group or another at some point in their lives. It doesn’t mean they’re racist or judgemental; but simply observing from their own perspective.
This was the single biggest wrinkle in the OJ case. (except that a murderer walked away scott-free!) If the defense could prove Mark Fuhrman (sp) had used the N word sometime in his life this somehow translated to the fact that not only was his testimony unreliable but in fact prejudiced! Because he had used a WORD in his life! This is where liberals set the bar. And they wonder why their appeal is dwindling.
La Shawn,
What drives me ballistic is how white liberals feel they have license to use any and all derogatory racial slurs when speaking about black conservatives, saying things that would spark a riot if mouthed by conservative whites. It also gets me riled up that black liberals will ignore (or even encourage) serious racial epithets as long as they are directed at those with whom they have idealogical disagreements.
LaShawn said:”That’s just the way white liberals think.”
In a post critisizing (righfully) SOME liberals who
assume they know how non-white conservatives think,
you turn around and tell us how white liberals think. O.K.
Isn’t that irritating?
Hmm, by that same line of argument he as a white liberal is also being used by (extremist) Black Liberals who may openly endorse his political views, but make condescending remarks about him behind his back as well (as black Americans we all know how often this is done…).
Great post La Shawn. I think that you and J.C. Watts are very enlightening on this subject.
“Isn’t that irritating?”….too cool
Haven’t conservatives tried to make the same argument to black liberals when they bring up Robert Byrde and the members of the Democratic Party that voted against Civil Rights Laws. By the way, those Dixiecrats all became Republicans.
Being from Chicago, I know all too well of the racist that mingle in the Democrat Party. And I’m not afraid to call them racist either… it seems to me that conservatives refuse to tag any white conservative with a racist label no matter how obvious it is that the racist label is deserved.
What I do believe is that black liberals won’t circle the wagons to protect a white liberal racist as fast as black conservatives will do to protect a white conservative racist. I believe conservative blacks tend to give white conservatives a pass on racist comments more so that black liberals. Not to say that black conservatives are all sellouts – Clarence Thomas and Rev. Jesse Peterson are sickening “Toms” – but I do notice that black conservatives are more forgiving of racist in their midst.
Just my thoughts
Besides Strom Thurmond, which Dixiecrats became Republicans? Read my archives. This line of reasoning is well-worn and well-covered terrority.
One such thread: http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2005/02/21/murdock/#comment-23494
- Admin
Bada-boom
Maybe the “condescending” remarks are something like “Blacks [a too broad generalization but probably 65% correct since all Blacks don't support Democrats and some do it out of thoughtful conviction] aren’t very bright to unquestioningly support the Democratic Party.” An example of this would be Ann Coulter’s article before the 2004 election, “40 Promises and a Mule.”
By the way, I’ve heard some white Liberals make unkind, condescending remarks about Blacks in their own party. Does that make all Liberals anti-Black? Maybe it’s the human condition of the frustration, at times, of working with others of any color.
What about Senator Kennedy calling the group that included Justice Brown “Neanderthals?” Or when Liberals say something negative about minorities, is that OK?
“What I do believe is that black liberals won’t circle the wagons to protect a white liberal racist as fast as black conservatives will do to protect a white conservative racist.”
Um, it was conservatives of ALL colors that brought Trent Lott down.
Evon,
As I stated before… it is not OK and I’m old enough and smart enough to know the difference between a stupid statement and a racist one. The fact is the black conservatives have a hard time recognizing conservative racist. And pointing out liberal racsit does not negate the fact that there are a lot of conservative racist – except in the eyes of black conservatives. Why is that?
“By the way, I’ve heard some white Liberals make unkind, condescending remarks about Blacks in their own party. Does that make all Liberals anti-Black?”
No it doesn’t. We’re all grown folks here and we’ve been around the block. I’m confident that you know the difference between saying something negative about someone and making a racist statement.
I talk about white and black folks all of the time. Some of my statements are negative… but they aren’t racist – big difference.
You know I was with you until the Neo-Nazi statements..I’m not even going to go there.
James,
Name-calling such as your reference to Justice Clarence Thomas and Rev. Jesse Peterson as “Toms” is one thing that I find reprehensible. The fact that they differ with you in their worldview, and cling to a conservative ideology that is in opposition to the ideology you follow, does not give you the right to resort to it.
As to your reference that black conservatives are quicker to “circle the wagons” around white conservative racists, than black liberals are with regard to white liberal racists, give me an example. I can think of NUMEROUS cases involving black liberals defending white liberals’ racist remarks just within the past few months, or if not outright defending, simply ignoring them as if they never occurred. But, I’m coming up short on the opposite scenario…
Good grief! I didn’t see James’s statement about black conservatives not “recognizing conservative racist” until you pointed it out, Montie. In another thread he had the nerve to say he’s a “fan of serious discussions.” Not on this blog, it seems.
I knew it was too good to be true.
James, I support principles. I couldn’t care less how seething a bigot a white person may be. I recognize bigotry, which comes in blackface, whiteface, and every other kind of face. The statement you made about black conservatives, which I am, is insulting. Look, use common sense if you want to comment over here. Right or wrong, I don’t like being insulted on my own blog, and you’re moving closer to the line.
I’ve got a great idea, James! Define “racist” and use examples of what you’d consider a “racist” policy or person in the Republican party. We’ll start by defining terms and using real life examples.
La Shawn,
Now you’ve done it, you are asking for FACTS when you know that the average liberal tries hard not to let facts confuse the issue at hand.
Definition:
Racism has historically been defined as the belief that race is the primary determinant of human capacities, that a certain race is inherently superior or inferior to others, and/or that individuals should be treated differently according to their racial designation. Sometimes racism means beliefs, practices, and institutions that discriminate against people based on their perceived or ascribed race. There is a growing, but somewhat controversial, opinion that racism is a system of oppression
Practices: I would hard press to say that any policy on the books today are overtly racist. What is easier to define is the practice of racism as it pertains to policies and the rule of law. Jim Crow is no longer around but that does not mean that there are practices that take place that work to the disadvantage of minorities and black people in particular.
This week the Supreme Court struck down a practice that allowed prosecutors and defense lawyers to exclude potential jurors from a case based on race. I won’t go into details but you can read it here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20050614/ts_csm/ajuryx;_ylt=Am66eotnh5PBHdR2Gv35k1iyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
Black farmers had to fight with the government over discriminating lending practices: http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/323.html
Racial Profiling: http://www.racialprofilinganalysis.neu.edu/
Redlining: http://www.public-gis.org/reports/red1.html#C
School Funding: http://www2.edtrust.org/EdTrust/Press+Room/funding+gap+2004.htm
I’m sure I could find some links on judges and their sentencing practices, minorities and government contracts, access to health care, standardized test, police shootings, gentrification or anything that has to do with how America deals with Africa. The fact is we do not live in a colorblind world and people with all kinds of political leanings are practicing racism every day. My contention is that black conservatives don’t seem to think there is a problem with racism in the country – at least not to the degree that black liberals do.
Now, maybe I did go to the edge of being offensive, but my intent is to point out that racism is alive and well – just because no one is riding around with white hoods on or burning crosses on black folks front lawns does not mean we’ve reach some sort of racial utopia.
And as I stated before, there are a lot of white liberals that turn a blind eye to this because they themselves benefit from it.
PS: Your server is giving me fits today
Ok, I mispoke when I wrote not recognizing white racist… I’m sure we all know a racist when we see one.
Montie:”Now you’ve done it, you are asking for FACTS when you know that the average liberal tries hard not to let facts confuse the issue at hand.”
Montie also said:”The fact that they differ with you in their worldview, and cling to a conservative ideology that is in opposition to the ideology you follow, does not give you the right to resort to it.”
So, Montie… calling names, making broad, sweeping negative generalizations is bad if a liberal does it, but if you a conservative do it, it’s o.k.?
LaShawn: “Isn’t that irritating?”
Montie: “Too cool!”
Me: Indeed, though ‘irritating’ isn’t the word I’d use…
if I was being polite, I’d use ‘ironic.’
Neither conservatism or liberalism are racist ideologies. However, the Democrats policy of relentlessly painting conservatives with the white-christian supremacy brush in order to secure the black vote is the most hateful, oppressive and intolerant tactic used by either party.
And obvious, too.
BTW as far as families go, my white liberal family loved my black (beautiful, but apolitical) wife when they assumed her politics mirrored their own. But then she began ripping into their secular, socialist, white-men-are-to-blame-for-everything views. Guess what happened? They attacked her for being ignorant, blamed me for just being a white male and for good measure called her a bad mother.
My relatives stood their well cultivated liberal ground and sacrificed a family in the process. To me this just shows how fragile the liberal mentality is – particularly when concerning race.
James Manning wrote (# 13):
“I talk about white and black folks all of the time. Some of my statements are negative… but they aren’t racist – big difference.”
Unfortunately, ‘racist’ is in the eye of the beholder, and a lot of people are on a hair-trigger these days, just waiting to be offended by even the most innocuous remark.
You’re right: everybody makes derogatory (and often stupid) remarks about other people and groups. In our culture of victimhood, however, instead of letting it roll their backs, too many people go ballistic and start screaming for the offender’s head.
“The fact is the black conservatives have a hard time recognizing conservative racist. And pointing out liberal racsit does not negate the fact that there are a lot of conservative racist – except in the eyes of black conservatives. Why is that?”
Possibly it is because conservatives TEND to be more concerned with rationality and logic and less with ‘feelings’. They also don’t get by in life by playing the race card at every opportunity. Therefore, non-white conservatives aren’t provoked to hysterics by allegedly racist statements. In contrast, liberals are always on the lookout to be ‘offended’, so they SEEM more sensitive to racism.
By the way, who are the ‘conservative’ racists? What is the evidence that they are?
Dell:
“The fact is the black conservatives have a hard time recognizing conservative racist.”
And all Liberals have trouble recognizing a liberal racist. When did Sen. Byrd renounce the Klan?
Add the meaning of irony to the things I wished our schools did a better job of teaching…
Reply to #20: I think part of the problem is that many conservatives may believe that racism still exist, but they don’t believe it has any impact on the day-to-day lives of black Americans. I working class suburb of Chicago. My grandmother raised me along with three other brothers and sisters and a host of cousins with very little support. Life was hard but she did what she could and now I do OK for myself. Most of my run-ins with racism were at the hands of police. So I can’t say racism played any role in my lot in life. But not everybody walks my path. Maybe I am a little more sensitive to racism – but maybe you are not sensitive enough.
Reply to #21: Sen. Byrde is and always will be a racist. So when will Sen. Helmes renounce his belief in segregation? He sure didn’t do it in his book?
James,
Before I address each of your examples of “racism,†let me ask one more question. Do you support race preferences? If so, you effectively negate each example of “racism†you linked. So-called affirmative action is racial discrimination, plain and simple. This is where some blacks get it twisted. If skin color distinctions benefit us, it’s affirmative action and “good.” If they are either neutral or harmful, it’s racism and “bad,” and the professional civil rights Negroes start seeing dollar signs.
You write: Racism has historically been defined as the belief that race is the primary determinant of human capacities, that a certain race is inherently superior or inferior to others, and/or that individuals should be treated differently according to their racial designation.
What do you think race-based government preferences are, James? Inherent in a skin color preference of any kind is the “belief that race is the primary determinant of human capacities, that a certain race is inherently superior or inferior to others…â€
In the case of preferences, white social engineers determined that blacks are inherently inferior to whites; therefore they came up with lowered standards and separate categories based on skin color, and slapped on the euphemism “affirmative action.â€
Unconstitutional and personally repugnant.
And you’re exactly right about being “hard pressed†to find examples of overt racism. You’re hard-pressed to find examples of covert or subtle racism, too. Take your first example, a court striking down racial bias in jury selection. Are you calling racial bias “racism� Then we’re all guilty as charged because we ALL have racial biases. Did you know that lawyers try to stack juries all the time? Black, white, women, whatever.
Now sometimes clever lawyers can get away with striking jurors based on race or sex or religion, the same way clever lawyers get away with STACKING A JURY WITH BLACKS or women or Jews.. Whatever the case, I certainly hope that MURDERER won’t walk because of inane and idiotic cries of “racism.†That’s some example you used. That poor victimized murderer and those “racist†white jurors who put him on death row. Where he belongs. Good grief.
About these black farmers, if this obviously slanted article you linked is to be trusted, the way the farmers were treated was wrong. But if they were turned down for loans based on bad credit, again, all a clever lawyer has to do is cry “Racism!â€
If a disproportionately large number of black farmers had bad credit, it follows that a disproportionately large number will be turned down. To social engineers, that in itself is racism. Utterly idiotic. Objective standards fly out the window and reason is suspended. That’s called the disparate impact theory, a hare-brained socialist scheme cooked up by bored, white Ivy League liberal lawyers. The mere existence of a disparity of ANY kind is evidence of racial discrimination. I would expect an intelligent man like you to see through that nonsense like a pane of glass, James. Unshackle yourself from the hair-trigger, reactionary response, and see people for what they are: Individuals.
Racial profiling – Again we have the emotional reactions. If a disproportionate number of blacks (we’re only 13 percent of the population) are committing a certain kind of crime (drug dealing, drugs in the car, illegal guns in the car, etc.), which they indeed are, it’s common sense that a disproportionate number of blacks will be arrested for the crime. In that regard, it’s common sense practice for cops who’ve arrested the same kind of people in the same areas committing the same crimes TO PROFILE THAT TYPE OF CRIMINAL.
While it may be distasteful to you or a black doctor, or to someone like me whose own brother has been profiled, it’s the cost of protecting the most people and capturing the most criminals by the most cost-effective means. I’m 100% certain that people in urban neighborhoods gutted with gangs have no problems with cops profiling gangbangers! Profiling, in some form or another, has been done since the beginning of time, and black American sensibilities don’t render it illegitimate, immoral or obsolete!
I’ll skip the redlining story. Boring.
School funding, school funding…let’s see. Did you actually read the site you linked to? Check out this gem:
“In 36 states, the highest-poverty school districts receive less money than the lowest-poverty districts when we account for what school funding experts say is the extra cost of educating low-income students.â€
Did you catch that? It’s not that high-poverty schools are being shafted. Quite the opposite. For example, DC Public Schools (hideous!) receive among the highest per pupil expenditures in the country, and they still STINK. Now liberals argue out of both sides of their mouths. The schools stink, they say, either because white people are racists and don’t pay enough of their tax money to “high-poverty†schools, or they do give an enormous amount already, but fail to take into account what school funding experts say is the extra cost of educating low-income students.â€
What kind of doubletalk is that? Extra cost??? So DC schools are getting more money from the feds than most schools in the country, but because the students are low-income, they need to get even more money from the government, or the government is racist?
James, do you understand how ridiculous and patently condescending and paternalistic that sounds? These schools already get gobs of money, which isn’t really necessary to teach kids to read and write in the first place. Now some “education†bureaucrat (who’s probably a member of the teachers’ union, the entity with a vested interest in making sure black kids are dumb!) getting government funding him/herself thinks black schools should get even more money than the rest because of the “gap,†and if they don’t get it, the taxpayers are “Racists!�
Re-read my comments from yesterday’s posts because I’m getting a headache saying the same thing over and over again. I do hope you stick around. If I can change the way you think even slightly or encourage you to at least TRY to look at facts objectively once in awhile instead of through a “white racists!†lens, I’ll die a happy woman.
It will be a great day when black conservatives can rip into white conservatives – and win. That day’s coming soon.
It will be an even better day when the color of one’s skin is not assumed to restrict the contents of one’s mind.
docjim,
Also, like the villagers who heard the boy cry wolf, many black conservatives have become quite jaundiced when the cries of racism are leveled at fellow conservatives. Esp. since so many accusations are expected to be taken prima facie. This is a natural consequence of the way many of the left use the word conservative as a synonym for racist, selfish, evil, etc.
how did nondeference get translated into meaning doing the work of the elite party?
As long as the liberal blacks acquiesce to having Reverend Sharpton (an outspoken racist who has fomented racial discord on a national stage) as a “spokesman,” the liberal blacks will be (rightfully) mocked by conservatives of all hues.
Getting that troublesome (I’m being charitable) blowhard off the stage would advance both the cause of liberals – blacks and whites – and race relations.
SCIWuzzy,
I know what irony means, and yes, I used it in a less than ideal way… I was merely trying to be polite. The other word that is a better fit begins with H… but i didn’t want to go there afterall.
as i said, I was trying to be polite.
Fritz,
Not just liberal blacks. Many liberals of all hues hold Rev. Al and Jesse up as spokesmen and leaders of American blacks everywhere. And for that, all liberals should be mocked. Since they say it’s the conservs that see everything in black and white
Ya know, I think conservatives spend more time listening to Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton than anyone else. I haven’t heard a peep from the Rev’s outside of the MJ trial and the shooting in Compton. My leader political leaders happens to be Sen. Barak Oboma and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. As spokespeople for the black community, I listen to Tavis Smiley, Ed Gordan and Bev Johnson. I also read a lot of Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu and Michael Eric Dyson’s work.
Rev Jackson and Sharpton’s stars started fading long ago. Young people don’t listen to them and folks my age give thanks what they’ve done but have moved on. It is the media that hasn’t picked up that.
And I think the MSM is a full of it as most conservatives… so we do agree on that.
Perhaps I live in an alternate reality. Maybe another universe. I like to think I’m not hypersensitive because I’ve gotten used to being followed in stores and learned to keep my hands on the steering wheel when being pulling over for a speeding ticket.
However, I tend to agree with James Manning on some points.
DocJim wrote this:
“You’re right: everybody makes derogatory (and often stupid) remarks about other people and groups. In our culture of victimhood, however, instead of letting it roll their backs, too many people go ballistic and start screaming for the offender’s head.”
I don’t know if I want the offender’s head, I’d simply like to be treated with respect.
I have a friend who went to enroll her son in school in a predominately white school district. She lives in the district. Upon meeting the principal who she had been corresponding with by email, she was asked 1) Was she sure she was in the right school district? and 2) Was she aware that that district had school choice? I won’t even go into the deer-in-headlights look the principal had when he realized that my friend (and her husband) were black.
So according to commenters here and LaShawn’s expansive post in reply to James comment, my friend should just let ignorance roll off her back and dismiss that principal of that school as just being stupid.
I can’t buy that. And perhaps, that is why I can’t fully buy into conservatism even though I clearly agree with many of the viewpoints that presented on LBC (but not all..:).
Conservatives say they are color-blind, when the world is not so. And I’m not trying to be funny but if you are white, it’s hard for you to understand that a lot of blacks operate in two different worlds out of necessity. I think it was Paul Laurence Dunbar that talked about how we (meaning black folks) “wear the mask”.
I think the commenters here on LBC must be very enlightened and open minded and judge each person they meet as the individual but with whites still being about 70% of the US population, I’d still say that a lot of your fellow Caucasians probably don’t think like you guys do. Those are the folks I have to think about when I go into the world.
Then again, maybe I haven’t ascended to that higher plane yet. Who knows???
James,
Regarding #33, you ain’t said nothing but a WORD.
James,
But none of those folks speak for all black folks, any more than I speak for all conservatives, all catholics or all mutts.
Reply #35 – Thanks Tif. All I am trying to say is that racism is alive and well and it does affect people. It may not impact me (outside of being stopped by the police all of the time because I’m black) but that seems to be cool with some because being a black man, they know that I either commited a crime or know someone that has.
Reply #36 – No they don’t. But politically speaking, Barak Oboma and Jesse Jackson Jr represent me – especially since I voted for them. Although, now I’m in California – looking for Maxine Waters and Barbara Boxer now.
James, are you saying that Dyson is less objectionable than Sharpton? I’ll argue that point. I’ve heard Dyson speak, and I found him insulting, degrading, and just plain foolish with his crude “N” this and “N” that semi-poetic rantings.
Also, I’m curious as to why you only have one Senator to represent you. Most folks have two.
Redbeard – Dick Durban is the other Senator from Illinois – but technically speaking he represents me, although I’m not a fan.
Oobjectionable to whom? As far as I am concerned, he’s cool. I like reading his articles and his books. At times I like to hear him speak.
That was my point, James; you do have two representatives in the Senate. I’m also assuming that Sen. Obama represents all the white citizens of Illinios as well.
I think this is fascinating.
Because I am white, I am assumed to make disparaging remarks about other peoples and ethnic groups on a regular basis.
I internalized Dr. King’s dream very early on. I do judge people by the content of their character.
I hate being constantly told that I am not, because I am white and conservative (more libertarian than anything.)
Does racism still exist? Yes it does. But the supposed “cures” for the ills of racism are now more destructive (and degrading and demeaning) to the black community than the racism itself.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get my cranial receiver fixed so I won’t miss my next cyberfeed from Emperor Rove.
Redbeard – true… but I still don’t like Durbin. It seems as though no minds were changed today.
In the second largest city in the US, you’d think there would be at least ONE person that could make a Chicago Style pizza.
I really have to put the conversation of racism on the side for a moment. I have a much more pressing issue to deal with. I am in need of a place – ANY PLACE, in the city of Los Angeles that can make a decent pizza. Even a reasonably decent pizza would be nice.
How about finding a real Chicago dog anywhere outside of Chicagoland? Hopeless.
I’m gonna try to get up there to “The Taste” in a couple of weeks; might miss it, but I’ll try.
RedBeard – You’re a good man… That’s the same thing I’ve been telling folks about pizza and hot dogs. Would you believe someone actually suggested Domino’s Pizza to me. It took every good bone in my body to not ask the Lord to smite him and cast his soul into the depths of hell for all eternity.
We may not share political philosophies but if we’re ever in Chicago at the same time, we’ll share a deep dish with all the fixin’s. It’ll be on me of course. I may be a little race sensitive, but I’m not cheap
Fold a pizza? The man should be flogged.
“For all I care, neo-Nazis (white power!) can agree with every single word I write.”
You are so right.Somewhere I read that and idea is not responsible for the people who believe in it.
After reading this blog for some time, the one thing I’m sure of is that you, La Shawn, are not looking to polls or a certain group of people to decide where you stand.
When “Black liberals” think for themselves, conservatives accuse the “Black liberals” of either being mislead by “their leaders” or stuck living off of the government or socialists, or believing in “victimology” or…
RedBeard and James-
I have the same issue down here in Texas with finding good ole Memphis style BBQ. They have a spinoff chain from one of the Memphis joints down here, but not the same.
Tiffany in Mpls wrote (# 34):
“I don’t know if I want the offender’s head, I’d simply like to be treated with respect.”
I think that’s what we all want. My point is that there are too many people (mostly liberals) who are ready, willing, and able to take offense at just about anything and scream their heads off if somebody rattles their hair trigger. Example:
You recall when the singer Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash a year or so ago? A (white) reporter commented that, while her death was tragic, she wasn’t really that good a singer. He was branded (surprise, surprise) a racist:
— A newspaper columnist has sparked a racist row after criticising the scale of Aaliyah’s funeral and branding her an “undistinguished singer of forgettable pop songs”.
Rod Dreher from the New York Post wrote that that 22-year-old singer, who died in a tragic plane crash last week and whose funeral took place in New York on Friday, was not worthy of the grand procession that featured a horse-drawn hearse, a silver-plated coffin and the release of 22 white doves. He also compared the events to those of the funerals of Lord Byron, Princess Diana and Mother Teresa.
Black activist The Reverend Al Sharpton has described the comments as “abysmal, shocking and racist” and has called for the Post to apologise and punish Mr Dreher.
Addressing a Harlem rally in memory of Aaliyah, he said: “I’m outraged, and I think all decent people are outraged. We will bring down anybody who tells us how to mourn our own.”
So far the newspaper has declined to take any action over the column despite being flooded with complaints. The editor-in-chief Col Allan has stood by his employee saying he “had a right to express an opinion”. —
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/dotmusic_news/21693.html
See what I mean? And this is hardly an isolated issue. Michael Jackson was prosecuted due to racism. Janet Jackson was criticized due to racism. OJ – racism. Tax cuts – racism. SAT – racism. College admissions – racism. AIDS – racism. Failure to give enough hurricanes ‘black’ names – racist. I’ve even heard some ‘experts’ describe the effects of ’subconscious’ racism. Yep: white people just can’t help being biggots.
Racism exists, and unfortunately always will to some extent. However, people of good heart, even if they have racist thoughts and beliefs, will do their best to combat it. We’ve come a long way in the past fifty years (which is worse: black people not served at Denny’s, or black people lynched for trying to vote?). Playing the race card too often, however, makes it seem more like whining than denouncing injustice.
Paul Greenberg has a good column about this topic today at Townhall.com.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/paulgreenberg/pg20050615.shtml
We lived through Hurricane Ivan and just got the fringes of a tropical storm recently here in Montgomery.
I don’t know why anyone would want a hurricane named after them.
That reminds me of a pig some friends named after my Mom. They really loved their pigs, and considered it an honor, but she could never really see it that way.
Oh, my! There they go again. Yes La Shawn, you are being used along with Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Armstrong Williams, Larry Elder, Condaleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Janice Rogers Brown and a host of other black conservatives. Oh, I forgot to mention latino conservatives, chinese conservatives, native American conservatives. All are being used by the white power elite cabal.
On the other hand, could it possibly be that Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, Kwesi Mfume, et al might just have it wrong? After all, they’re surrounded by a fairly powerful white power elite cabal too…Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, Howard Dean, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, Charles Shumer, et al.
It couldn’t possibly have anything to do with values and fundamental beliefs.
Tiffany – I’ve gotten used to being followed in stores and learned to keep my hands on the steering wheel when being pulling over for a speeding ticket.
I haven’t been followed around a store since I was a teenager, but I DO keep my hands on the wheel when pulled over. I even tell the officer my every move before I execute it…’insurance/registration is in the glove compartment’…’driver’s right here in my wallet’. That’s not a ‘black’ thing, that’s common sense.
BTW, there is no decent bbq in Minneapolis, is there? At least not good Texas bbq.
Sheesh! “driver’s LICENSE” not “driver’s” blank.
S & T, I do the same thing, and I’m so white I’m pink.
I have a tendency to push a bit too hard on the gas pedal, so I’ve had the opportunity to meet a number of state troopers during their duty hours.
With the dangerous garbage they have to face every day, I’m not about to give them any reason to suspect me of anything. I show them courtesy, and get the same in return. I tell them right up front that I’m a concealed weapons permit holder, and tell them the location of any firearms. This open behavior always results in a non-confrontational outcome, and probably fewer speeding tickets than I really deserve. 
Now does anyone know where I can find a genuine Indiana-style breaded tenderloin sandwich in Florida? No one down here has a clue. Bunch of food philistines around here.
Great post and great site! I agree with another commentator that your views are refreshing, excellent description. If you had to place a label on me in the context of this post it would be white libertarian, however, I want to label myself simply Christian. I too can confess that in the past I have said and thought “bad things” about other people, but the good news is that I have confessed and am forgiven. Prayer helps a great deal, for myself and for others who still let hate fill their life.
At work, we have a wonderful atmosphere where many believers openly share our faith with one another. I am always pleased to pass another believer and call him “brother”, irregardless of his skin color, and he to me.
Once again, great site!
LaShawn should have an open comment thread so all of us “transplants” can find our favorite foods in our adopted hometowns.
OR, one of us supporter bloggers could open a thread on our blogs. I am sure LB would be happy to link OT traffic your way.
Anyone notice how precious few liberals/leftists/Democrats have challenged Sen. Durbin about his outrageous comments?
Evon,
How often do you challenge what you agree with?
Well, Hillary might have been expected to do just that, as part of her disingenuous act to curry favor by pretending to move away from the left fringe. But she must be slipping, as she forgot to put on the phony face for this issue. Not only did she not even mildly criticize Durbin, but she gave him a boost by taking up his Gitmo agenda.
Has there been another time in history when so many otherwise intelligent [although I'm beginning to have my doubts on this one] people have made so many outrageous remarks? If the Democrats are trying to convince us that they can’t be trusted with national security, they’re overdoing it.
Howard Dean is Crazy!!
There’s plenty of minorities with an irrational fear of gay people in this country!!
“the Democrats policy of relentlessly painting conservatives with the white-christian supremacy brush in order to secure the black vote is the most hateful, oppressive and intolerant tactic used by either party.”
worse than implying that anyone who doesn’t support Bush’s war “loves Saddam”?
I don’t think so.
Nice strawmen, Robby. Did you go to the learning annex to pick up how to weave them so well?
The Strawmen….. weren’t they the guys who sang “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” at the big Harmonic Convergence party some years ago as they tried to raise money for Michael Dukakis’ campaign?
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