[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]FLU: Racism or charges of racism are the “third rail” in American society. Quickest way to shut someone down or shut them up is to accuse them of racism. I think the OP makes that point quite well. Any criticism of Obama, valid or not, can be dispelled instantly by ascribing it to racism.
The irony of course is that everybody, to a certain extent, is racist, consciously or unconsciously. Black people can be tremendously racist, especially when it comes to Asians and Mexicans. Asians can be racists, too, and even within their own racial group (have you ever heard Japanese people ripping on Koreans, Vietnamese and Chinese?).
The PC movement has destroyed free speech in this country and instilled a fear of saying anything that either gives offense or might give offense. It’s pathetic, really, but we’re all conditioned now.
I remember playing football in high school and having black players refer to me as Opie, Mickey, Cracker, Clem, Jethro, Honky and Whitebread, as well as some other epithets that aren’t repeatable. We treated it as part of the game and responded accordingly, using terms like Sambo, Toad and Jungle Bunny. The funny part? We all knew each other and got along with each other, when we weren’t on the field, that is. Using those terms openly today would get you sued.[/quote]
Is it that everyone is a little bit “racist” or are we all a little “culturalist”? Or is it the same thing?
For example, let’s say that I’m hiring for some generic white collar position. Who I am going to prefer upon first inspection, the nondescript black guy in a suit and tie that went to Generic University, or some perfectly nice white dude with a mullet that didn’t attend college and didn’t bother to wear a tie? The black guy, of course. Different color than me, but probably shares more of the same cultural values than the white dude. At least on first inspection. Does that make me a reverse-racist against my own race? Of course not. I’m showing a preference for one person’s culture over a another (again, on first impression).
That’s why so many middle-class-and-above white folks identify with Colin Powell, Obama, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, etc. etc. Culturally, they’re very similar to “us.” Likewise, most of these same middle-class white folks have a distaste for gangsta culture (among blacks) and redneck culture (among whites). Perhaps not in equal measures, but certainly a distaste for both.
My point is that I think a lot of what folks point to as “racism” isn’t about race (or color). It’s about culture. Now, some folks may say that “culture” is just a code word for “race,” such that if you’re a “culturist” then you’re really just a “racist” by another name. I happen not to buy that argument, because it’s intellectually lazy (specifically, it assumes that everyone of a particular race supports the same culture, which is absurd). Nevertheless, some folks will play that card if you back them into a corner on the issue.
Bottom line: folks like to work and live among other folks of a similar culture to their own. While race may play a role, I think culture is the real issue. Now, is it wrong to discriminate – openly or otherwise – on the basis of culture? Maybe. But that’s what every one of us does. Even the folks that don’t consider themselves racist.
Allan: Why didn’t they refer to you as Cletus? That’s my favorite redneck name. I’m disappointed.
