White racism is far from dead
From the Washington Post The Democratic primary campaign has exposed the extent and virulence of sexism in the U.S.; the McCain-Obama contest will do the same for racism. The Obama campaign has been trying not to draw attention to this inevitability, but there is a backlash brewing. I believe the strategy of the Obama campaign has been to present a vision of a new America where the old problems of race (if not of gender) will be swept away, leaving the country cleansed and united. That his been his selling point, much as it was Bush's (a uniter, not a divider). Clinton has been portrayed as the divisive candidate and this perception has apparently defeated her.
I expect that we will be subjected in the coming months to the tiresome racial politics that make our country such a drag to live in.
More: I want to plug Shakesville, a really good blog.
Divisions in this country will likely once again be exploited in the coming election. I don't look forward to this either. So many people continue to allow this approach to distract from, even prevent, focus on issues that need attention.
Posted by:joared | May 13, 2008 at 11:40 PM
We have come a long way but have a long way to go.
Posted by:Brandon | May 14, 2008 at 10:43 AM
So, which will get more play, prejudice against African-Americans, or prejudice against elder-Americans?
By the way, the "remember personal info thingy on your blog still won't remember me.
In response to your question on my blog, I like to give to local food banks, and battered women's shelters.
Posted by:gerry rosser | May 15, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Well, ageism and misogyny are still expressed by powerful media people and just plain folks as well. I regularly get put down in a patronizing way for my age, sometimes subtly and sometimes overtly, and just the other day the handyman called me "Sweetie." Racism is popular among the fringies but a no-no in the mainstream.
Posted by:Hattie | May 15, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Speaking of racism, did you catch Shuckabee's quip about Obama ducking for cover, made at an NRA function?
Posted by:gerry rosser | May 17, 2008 at 03:51 AM
Pretty funny, all right. He's known for his good sense of humor. Ha ha.
Posted by:Hattie | May 17, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Huckabee's done this before:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-feldman/for-assassination-joke-hu_b_102186.html
Posted by:Brandon | May 17, 2008 at 11:33 AM