Green Energy
Stogie is absolutely right:
In a prior post I denied that the term "Negro" is racist (by "racist" I mean "demeaning" or "insulting" for purposes of this discussion. Webster's has a broader definition.) Therefore, Harry Reid did not display "racism" in using the term and all of the race-baiting hoopla now in play is just dirty politics.
However, I did not fully discuss Reid's other remarks, i.e. that Obama is "light skinned" and doesn't speak with a "Negro dialect." From a purely objective viewpoint, Reid was factually correct in making this observation. But what does his statement imply?
Here are some thoughts and observations:
1. Reid was arguing that Obama's "light skin" is more politically viable than that of someone who is 100% black (Obama is the offspring of a mixed marriage). Therefore, Obama's electoral chances were not as impaired by his racial composition as some Democrats might fear. This observation is very politically incorrect, but from a realpolitik point of view, a valid point for discussion when assessing a candidate's chances. The electorate, after all, is not comprised merely of enlightened university graduates, but little old ladies from Topeka, Baptists from Abilene, and PTA members from Peoria. And a whole lot of others.
My conclusion: the "light skin" remark was discussed in a valid context, was not used or intended in any hateful way, and was therefore not racist.
2. Obama doesn't speak in a "Negro dialect." Again, a valid point for discussion when assessing a candidate's chances. The way a candidate speaks is very important, as it provides a powerful first impression. Ethnic accents can be charming to some and annoying to others, particularly if they make speech more difficult to understand. (An example: I love Sarah Palin, but her rural Alaskan comment "You Betcha" is rather annoying.)
My conclusion: the "Negro dialect" comment was also not used or intended in a hateful way, was discussed in a valid context and was an appropriate item for discussion. Therefore, the comment was not racist.
Good Lord, what is the world coming to when I am put into a position of defending Harry Reid?
The Republicans who are now taking advantage of his statements do the conservative cause more harm than good. They are reinforcing the liberal standard of racial hypersensitivity, where even objectively true statements automatically render the speaker "racist."
- Obama: The Post-racial Racist
Since 2007, Hillary Clinton partisans were complaining that while Obama pretended to be post-racial, in fact he was sending out his minions to make the bitterly racist attacks, while he floated above it all, clean. They couldn't actually prove their...
- Hearts Of Darkness
Guest Commentary by Edward Cline: The moral sewers that are the minds of the likes of Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, and Senate majority leader, were revealed this week with the report that Reid has apologized to President Barack Obama (and to other black...
-
Poor Harry. Karma can be such a bitch. . . MSNBC: Dems rally behind Reid after race remark Republicans call for majority leader's ouster, claim double standard WASHINGTON - Prominent Democrats defended Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Monday...
- Welcome To Today's Show! Pick Your Hypocrite Type !
Will it be the Foley, Larry Craig, Bob Packwood social conservative holier than thou variety? Or should we pick the Harry Reid, Jess Jackson, Barack Obama holier than thou variety? Will it be predatory homosexual liars and heterosexual gropers...
- If It Were Bill Frist. . .
Newsmax: Reid Apologizes for 'No Negro Dialect' Comment Saturday, 09 Jan 2010 02:18 PM Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid apologized on Saturday for saying Barack Obama should seek — and could win — the White House because Obama was a "light...
Green Energy
Some Thoughts On Harry Reid's "Negro" Statement
Stogie is absolutely right:
In a prior post I denied that the term "Negro" is racist (by "racist" I mean "demeaning" or "insulting" for purposes of this discussion. Webster's has a broader definition.) Therefore, Harry Reid did not display "racism" in using the term and all of the race-baiting hoopla now in play is just dirty politics.
However, I did not fully discuss Reid's other remarks, i.e. that Obama is "light skinned" and doesn't speak with a "Negro dialect." From a purely objective viewpoint, Reid was factually correct in making this observation. But what does his statement imply?
Here are some thoughts and observations:
1. Reid was arguing that Obama's "light skin" is more politically viable than that of someone who is 100% black (Obama is the offspring of a mixed marriage). Therefore, Obama's electoral chances were not as impaired by his racial composition as some Democrats might fear. This observation is very politically incorrect, but from a realpolitik point of view, a valid point for discussion when assessing a candidate's chances. The electorate, after all, is not comprised merely of enlightened university graduates, but little old ladies from Topeka, Baptists from Abilene, and PTA members from Peoria. And a whole lot of others.
My conclusion: the "light skin" remark was discussed in a valid context, was not used or intended in any hateful way, and was therefore not racist.
2. Obama doesn't speak in a "Negro dialect." Again, a valid point for discussion when assessing a candidate's chances. The way a candidate speaks is very important, as it provides a powerful first impression. Ethnic accents can be charming to some and annoying to others, particularly if they make speech more difficult to understand. (An example: I love Sarah Palin, but her rural Alaskan comment "You Betcha" is rather annoying.)
My conclusion: the "Negro dialect" comment was also not used or intended in a hateful way, was discussed in a valid context and was an appropriate item for discussion. Therefore, the comment was not racist.
Good Lord, what is the world coming to when I am put into a position of defending Harry Reid?
The Republicans who are now taking advantage of his statements do the conservative cause more harm than good. They are reinforcing the liberal standard of racial hypersensitivity, where even objectively true statements automatically render the speaker "racist."
- Obama: The Post-racial Racist
Since 2007, Hillary Clinton partisans were complaining that while Obama pretended to be post-racial, in fact he was sending out his minions to make the bitterly racist attacks, while he floated above it all, clean. They couldn't actually prove their...
- Hearts Of Darkness
Guest Commentary by Edward Cline: The moral sewers that are the minds of the likes of Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, and Senate majority leader, were revealed this week with the report that Reid has apologized to President Barack Obama (and to other black...
-
Poor Harry. Karma can be such a bitch. . . MSNBC: Dems rally behind Reid after race remark Republicans call for majority leader's ouster, claim double standard WASHINGTON - Prominent Democrats defended Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Monday...
- Welcome To Today's Show! Pick Your Hypocrite Type !
Will it be the Foley, Larry Craig, Bob Packwood social conservative holier than thou variety? Or should we pick the Harry Reid, Jess Jackson, Barack Obama holier than thou variety? Will it be predatory homosexual liars and heterosexual gropers...
- If It Were Bill Frist. . .
Newsmax: Reid Apologizes for 'No Negro Dialect' Comment Saturday, 09 Jan 2010 02:18 PM Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid apologized on Saturday for saying Barack Obama should seek — and could win — the White House because Obama was a "light...