Who could not be moved at the sight of a major political party naming Barack Obama, an African American, as its presidential candidate? To me, there could not be a better sign that America has left behind its racist past. We are now approaching what may be termed "the end of racism." The End of Racism was the title of my 1995 bestseller, hugely controversial when it was published, but now it seems to have been a decade ahead of its time. If we appreciate the significance of our current moment, we are driven to an ironic but rational conclusion: perhaps the best way to recognize Obama's historic achievement is to vote for John McCain this November.
Consider this: for the past several years we have been hearing liberal Democrats emphasize how racism still defines America, how things haven't really changed all that much, how racism has gone underground and is now more covert and more dangerous than ever. It may seem strange that a racist country would adopt legal policies that discriminate against the majority and in favor of minorities. Even so, liberal activists and civil rights activists continue to browbeat white America in the schools, in the universities, in politics and in the media if there is the slightest dissent from civil rights orthodoxy.
Well, I don't know how many people have been drinking the liberal Kool-Aid, but these people must be utterly shocked at the success of Barack Obama. Here is a guy who could not possibly have made it as far as he has with only black votes. He has attracted not only white votes but the votes of some of the most affluent and successful segments of the white community. Obama, not Hillary, is the pillar of the white establishment. Moreover, Obama's own campaign is based on the premise that America is no longer racist. Far from making race-based appeals, to blacks on the basis of solidarity, and to whites on the basis of guilt, Obama campaigns on the expectation that whites share his economic values and foreign policy positions and view of America. In other words, Obama's public message is that race doesn't matter and that transracial alliances should be built on shared political and cultural values. It's a good message, and how it must dismay professional civil rights activists to hear it. I wouldn't be surprised if Jesse Jackson is telling family members, "If race relations keep improving like this, I may have to get a real job."
Clearly there are many in the liberal Democratic camp who are made profoundly uncomfortable by the recognition that racism is no more a defining feature of American life or even African American life. Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying that racism does not exist. This is a big country, and surely one can find several examples of it. But racism, which used to be systematic, is now only episodic. In fact, when I ask young blacks on the campus today whether America is racist, many say yes. But if I ask them to give me examples of how that racism affects their lives, they are hard pressed to give a single one. The best they can do is to mention "Rodney King" or provide some well-known, recycled horror story. Recently someone told me that McCain is still winning the white vote by a substantial majority and that shows "we have a long way to go" in overcoming white bigotry. By this logic, blacks are have even longer way to go in overcoming their bigotry since Obama is winning almost 98 percent of the black vote. When your logic leads to an absurd conclusion, go back and re-examine the premise.
Even though Obama's candidacy signals that America is overcoming its racial past, neither Obama nor his wife recognize that. Their personal statements, as seen for example in Obama's books, are suffused with race-consciousness, race-obsession and even racial resentment. The more privileges they have received on the basis of race, the more embittered they seem to become. The source of these pathologies is the very liberalism that the Obamas have embraced: a liberalism that declares them equal while treating them as inferiors who need preferential treatment. (Liberals hate to have this pointed out; hence the irrational invective of the early responses to this post.) The solutions are obvious. If you want to get rid of racial obsession, stop talking and thinking about race so much. If you want to remove race as the basis of decision-making in America, let's eliminate America's policies that make race the basis of decision-making. And if you want a party that stands for color-blindess and equal opportunity, you might consider voting for the Republicans.
Reader Comments ( Page 6 of 44)
76. it is true what Obama said, "these guys (republicans) take pride in being ignorant".
Jay at 12:09PM on Aug 28th 2008
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Yes. Or perhaps they teach themselves to think of intelligence as silliness because they're not able to understand it. They've learned to mock and reject that which "sounds smart" even when it is smart. So of course they pride themselves on not being a "silly" smart person,and thus for that very reaon, are content to stay that way forever. Incredible, really.
Saint Brian the Godless at 12:32PM on Aug 28th 2008
77. Saint Brian the Godless
Do not presume to tell me who to vote for! I will vote for the person that best reflects my values and who I feel is most qualified for the office of President of the United States. I will decide how to cast my vote; me and me alone!
janesophie1 at 12:32PM on Aug 28th 2008
78. 77. Saint Brian the Godless
Do not presume to tell me who to vote for! I will vote for the person that best reflects my values and who I feel is most qualified for the office of President of the United States. I will decide how to cast my vote; me and me alone!
janesophie1 at 12:32PM on Aug 28th 2008
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Good for you. I was merely suggesting that you actually *thought* about it, but silly me, that was way too much to expect from you. So vote for McCain. I'm sure that it won't be the first horrible decision that you've made in your life.
Saint Brian the Godless at 12:35PM on Aug 28th 2008
79. Interesting picture of McCain here:
http://www.jail4judges.org/WolfInSheepsClothing2.jpg
What big teeth he has...
Saint Brian the Godless at 12:38PM on Aug 28th 2008
80. And here's a pic of Janosophie, I think... Seems about right.
http://unconventionalindividualist.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/sheeple.jpg
Saint Brian the Godless at 12:42PM on Aug 28th 2008
81. Cripes, the same old tired "America isn't racist anymore" argument. And to prove your point, you drag out the old systematic/episodic chestnut.
Dinesh, let me illustrate why racism (and for that matter, sexism) still exists. You are right in one respect--this ain't the 1920's anymore. Back then, if you were a woman or a person of color, it didn't matter how darn smart you were...you weren't going anywhere. Now, the best and brightest can go all the way to the top, regardless of race, color, or creed. Yes, that is progress. But it is not "proof" that racism no longer exists.
You know how you will be able to tell when racism is gone? When the good paying jobs populated by do nothing/know nothing bottom feeders who (gasp) just happen to be virtually 100% white males are equally populated by women and people of color. You are seriously out of touch if you don't realize that in the United States, if you are White, Literate, Reasonable well groomed, and have an IQ slightly above Forrest Gump, that you should easily be able to schmooze your way into a middle management position with a high enough income to support a family of four. And your success is virtually guaranteed if you are married with children. Don't imagine even for a moment that the executives running businesses don't play favorites with men who fit the "Traditional American Family" demographic.
It gets even worse once you have managed to bullshit your way through 4 years of college. (And yes, I meant bullshit. I work for a University. Today's "C" is yesterday's "F". Virtually no one fails anymore. We have an excellent example in the White House). If you are a White Male with a college degree, and have managed to finagle a position in a large company, you can pretty much do anything short of fucking a goat in Times Square and they will keep you. Why? Because they already have too much time and money invested in hiring and training you. It is easier to keep shoving a paycheck at you and burying you in a cubicle where you can do little damage, than it is to fire and replace you. Again, this is not a luxury afforded to women or people of color. (Unless you happen to be in IT or accounting, but that is a different story)
If, and when, women and people of color can be successful EVEN IF THEY ARE BARELY MEDIOCRE, then we will be able to herald the end of racism and sexism in this country. Until then, the playing field will not be truly level.
Kodiak at 12:45PM on Aug 28th 2008
82. Has anyone heard about the Nazi Raccoon crisis in Europe yet?
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article85048.ece
Mokele Mbembe at 12:55PM on Aug 28th 2008
83. Saint Brian the Godless,
I've actually been reading DD's blog not for the tripe he spouts, but for the interesting comments you and a few others post. You're making me regret that now. These attacks on janesophie1 are unwarranted, highly personal and so troglodytic that I'm actually wondering if someone hijacked your name to make you look bad. When you make readers sympathetic for the side they don't even support, you're doing something *massively* wrong.
coyotenose at 12:58PM on Aug 28th 2008
84. "You sound deranged!"
janesophie1 at 11:05AM on Aug 28th 2008
Based on reading js's postings for months, I find that statement from her to be hilariously ironic.
Doofus at 1:28PM on Aug 28th 2008
85. If, and when, women and people of color can be successful EVEN IF THEY ARE BARELY MEDIOCRE, then we will be able to herald the end of racism and sexism in this country. Until then, the playing field will not be truly level.
Kodiak at 12:45PM on Aug 28th 2008
Interesting.
naturalpuppy at 1:30PM on Aug 28th 2008
86. AOLSMD
Mokele Mbembe at 1:30PM on Aug 28th 2008
87. "it may seem strange that a racist country would adopt legal policies that discriminate against the majority and in favor of minorities." DD
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When the majority treats a minority or anyone different with disregard, there is cause to legislate the appropriate laws to facilitate equality.
Is it in favor of minorities? Or is it in favor of equality? Has my life been affected adversely due to these laws? I don't think so - I don't feel discriminated against when everyone is on equal footing and I think that is what we need to achieve.
But like religion, discrimination, racism, sexism and bigotry is taught to us when we are young - it is something you are indoctrinated into believing.
So being the logical thinker - that I am, I have disregarded what I was taught by my parents and instead have made my own mind up about how people should be treated - mainly they should be treated like I would wish to be treated.
That my skin color wouldn't matter when I applied for a job I was qualified for, or for a loan when I wanted to buy a home I could easily afford.
My sex shouldn't matter when I wanted to buy my first car - negotiating terms with the finance department or applying for college.
My sexuality shouldn't matter when I wanted to adopt a child that I knew I could love and care for just as much as anyone else. Nor should it matter when I wanted to make my home with someone of the same sex, to create a family of love and purpose and hope and be treated as equals - given the same support when faced with the same situations those of "traditional" families were faced with.
One day there will be a little less discussion on the matters of equality - only because it would be a "traditional" thought of understanding that all humans are to be treated with equal respect in all things.
TJ at 1:41PM on Aug 28th 2008
88. You want a perfect example of racism? How about the fact that 90% of blacks favor Obama. Why isnt that a story? If 90% of whites were for Mccain, we would be hearing it from the liberal left 24/7. Why do blacks get a pass. Are they voting for him simply because he is a black man? It has to be that, or the fact that Obama promises more free giveaways on the backs of the people that work thier asses off to be successful, only to have it taken away and given to slackers.
Whit at 1:47PM on Aug 28th 2008
89. 83. Saint Brian the Godless,
I've actually been reading DD's blog not for the tripe he spouts, but for the interesting comments you and a few others post. You're making me regret that now. These attacks on janesophie1 are unwarranted, highly personal and so troglodytic that I'm actually wondering if someone hijacked your name to make you look bad. When you make readers sympathetic for the side they don't even support, you're doing something *massively* wrong.
coyotenose at 12:58PM on Aug 28th 2008
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Highly personal? I don't see that, sorry. She misunderstands everything we say and thinks her religion is the answer to every question. Her head is filled with ridiculous dogmatic and biblical nonsense due to her religious conditioning, which I abhor as the evil that it is. She is asking for it.
So kindly put your nose back in a coyote. :-)
Saint Brian the Godless at 1:45PM on Aug 28th 2008
90. When you make readers sympathetic for the side they don't even support, you're doing something *massively* wrong.
coyotenose at 12:58PM on Aug 28th 2008
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This blog has many posters whose opinions can elicit some thought, not the least of whom is the heathen.
Several posters are able to muster imaginative, compelling arguments, but unfortunately, their self-indulgence detracts from their credibility and casts doubt on their honesty.
naturalpuppy at 1:50PM on Aug 28th 2008