Racism is a painful part of the American fabric. It's been in the national dialogue in a big way since the Racist-in-Chief sought the presidency. In the last few weeks, it's been a front-and-center issue.
I talked about 45's racism and other-isms in general in several posts, but most directly in my post, Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that (June 12, 2017), about the uptick in the audacity that racists have shown after the election of their Messiah, leading to an increase in hate crimes.
In the last few weeks, racism has been all over the front pages. Over the weekend, The Drumpf Family continued racist rants against Native Americans as they taunted Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
First, the tweet from Don the Con:
The President* tweeted outrage, but not necessarily for the racism aspect. To him, it's just a part of the competition.
I talked about 45's racism and other-isms in general in several posts, but most directly in my post, Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that (June 12, 2017), about the uptick in the audacity that racists have shown after the election of their Messiah, leading to an increase in hate crimes.
In the last few weeks, racism has been all over the front pages. Over the weekend, The Drumpf Family continued racist rants against Native Americans as they taunted Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
First, the tweet from Don the Con:
Today Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to by me as Pocahontas, joined the race for President. Will she run as our first Native American presidential candidate, or has she decided that after 32 years, this is not playing so well anymore? See you on the campaign TRAIL, Liz!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2019
And the bullying continued with Donny Jr reacting on Instagram, writing, "Savage!!! Love my President."
The all-caps "TRAIL," of course, is a sick reference to the Trail of Tears, a death march which wiped out thousands of Native Americans who were forced to walk to a new reserve. Now just a convenient racist jab.
These people are despicable.
Freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) made an offensive tweet with an anti-Semitic trope this week. Her party members came down hard on her, and she issued a prompt and effective apology. The Angry Creamsicle called for her resignation, calling her apology "lame." This, from the man who has never once apologized for his hundreds of insults and racist and misogynistic taunts.
What got more coverage, however, was that Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was found to have dressed in blackface during medical school, as evidenced by a yearbook photo of a "minstrel" in blackface standing next to a robed KKK member. In a bizarre news conference, he denied that the particular photo was him (after saying it was him earlier), but admitted that he had dressed in blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume, that he rocked the moonwalk, and was about to demonstrate the dance when his wife stopped him. Can't make this up.The all-caps "TRAIL," of course, is a sick reference to the Trail of Tears, a death march which wiped out thousands of Native Americans who were forced to walk to a new reserve. Now just a convenient racist jab.
These people are despicable.
Freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) made an offensive tweet with an anti-Semitic trope this week. Her party members came down hard on her, and she issued a prompt and effective apology. The Angry Creamsicle called for her resignation, calling her apology "lame." This, from the man who has never once apologized for his hundreds of insults and racist and misogynistic taunts.
The President* tweeted outrage, but not necessarily for the racism aspect. To him, it's just a part of the competition.
Ed Gillespie, who ran for Governor of the Great State of Virginia against Ralph Northam, must now be thinking Malpractice and Dereliction of Duty with regard to his Opposition Research Staff. If they find that terrible picture before the election, he wins by 20 points!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2019
For a little history about blackface in entertainment, please watch this piece from CBS a few months ago. If you are like me, perhaps you haven't completely understood the cultural ramifications.
As always, our satirists rise to the challenge of dealing with these difficulties.
Gov. Northam has stated that he is not going to resign, despite calls from Democrats far and wide. Others have argued that "some of our best friends were racists" and want to perhaps give the governor a bit of a pass on this one, because what he is doing NOW is what counts. Here is one opinion, by John Blake at CNN. (aside: In another essay, Blake shows how racism and racial bias is insidious -- and rampant.)
I am torn in my views. Yes, his actions matter now. But what's wrong is wrong, and there must be consequences. And as a Democrat, he mustn't be hypocritical. None of us should. We always must stand up for what is right. It's odious, but is the blackface mockery the worst racist act, necessitating resignation?
I am of the mind to strongly condemn those actions, offer a censure, but but more strongly condemn -- and call for resignation for -- the racist actions that do the most harm:
- voter suppression
- racist criminal justice system
- violence against people of color
- racist rental policies
- calling for the death of five innocent black people
- withholding aid to brown people
- banning people from entering the country due to their religion
- emboldening racists by calling them very fine people
- etc, etc, etc...
What we must do going forward: continue to learn how to reverse our tendencies toward bias. Acknowledge our white privilege. Learn about other cultures; continue to be an ally and an advocate. Call out racism when you see it. Acknowledge that "The Civil Rights Era" isn't a time 50 years ago. It's now.
It's Black History Month. Embrace it. Learn some black history! Check out Rachel Elizabeth Cargle's instagram this month for prompts on what to learn about. Learn, grow, change.
And Resist!
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