Racism is A-Okay in America

We don't have worry about it dying out any time soon, as you can see by this up-coming election, which has assisted in highlighting how ignorant and backwards and backwater lots and lots of America remains. I've even heard intelligent people say things like, "You're just voting for Obama because he's black." And a random lady in the street telling no one in particular, "Yeah, he's going to win because he's black." Right, right. Because of all the black presidents and vice presidents we've had throughout the years and all of the black senators and congress people and mayors and CEOs that are over-flowing our system. And why aren't more people calling McCain on his totally racist response to Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama? When asked if how he felt about this long-time Republican, and former member of the Bush cabinet endorsing Obama, McCain said, "I'm not surprised." WHY was he not surprised? He should've been. This is a guy who has been a Republican for decades, Chairman of the Joint Chief's of staff, and a staunch backer of Bush and the attack on Iraq. McCain should be surprised. The implication seems to be that of course CP would vote for Obama because he's black. Not b/c McCain is loony, not b/c he disagrees with McCain's policies, not b/c he doesn't want to help elect a grossly unqualified VP, not b/c McCain is backed by even crazier neoconservatives, but because, you know, the brothers stick together.

On another note, I like how Colin Powell responded to the false claim that O. is Muslim:

"Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, 'What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?' The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, 'He's a Muslim and he might be associated with terrorists.' This is not the way we should be doing it in America."

Exactly! Hasn't the Muslim community been way offended by the assumption that their religion of choice is synonymous with terrorism?

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm no Republican (*shudder*) but isn't it possible that McCain just meant that there had been rumblings for weeks that Powell would support Obama, so he wasn't surprised when it was officially announced? I think it's dangerous to assign 'racist' to any statement or person without solid evidence of such (though don't get me started on that woman in City Hall calling journalists KKK members).

And Colin Powell has spoken out, albeit it hesistantly, against some of the decisions of the Bush administration and admitted that many mistakes were made in deciding to go to war with Iraq. So it's not too surprising that, as a moderate, he is swaying the other way this time.

Just some healthy debate! On another note, I miss you. Can we have lunch?
Aimee said…
Yes, you're right. I almost always assume the worst. when it comes to McCain. But I still do think the statement could be interpreted with that lens.

And yes, I would love to have lunch. Name the day!
Anonymous said…
I agree with you. People are seeing colors instead of seeing issues. All the just TV ads I have seen have O. talking about he would change America while Mc. are just bashing O.

We need change, we all know that, but we need to look to the person who is willing to talk about how to change and not how to rake someone over the coals.
Aimee said…
Hey, thanks for reading, Michelle. Did you apply yet???
Anonymous said…
No...did you email Dan yet?
Aimee said…
Yes, I did. You made me! Now you have to apply!

Popular posts from this blog

Short story by Lauren Groff, "At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners"

Candyman: Race, Class, Sexuality, Gender, and Disability

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz