Sorry, dealer’s all out of race cards
WASHINGTON — Predictable as rain, the race card has surfaced just in time to stir up electoral passions, justify outcomes and explain away inconvenient truths.
Just days from Election Day, the zeitgeist belched up one of its least attractive—and least defensible—memes. (Was it the weather?)
Pre-emptive theories, in no particular order, include: Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama because they are both black (according to Romney surrogate John Sununu); if Obama loses Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, all of which voted for him in 2008, the old Confederacy will be restored (Daily Beast commentator Andrew Sullivan); Americans still harbor racial bias even if they don’t know it (recent online poll, Associated Press).
Anyone reading headlines related to the poll might infer that white Americans are biased against black Americans. Extrapolating, given the current election season, it follows that if some voters prefer Romney, it is because Obama is African-American.
But a review of the poll reveals something not quite so definitive or sinister. Overall, the findings suggest that most Americans are moderate, fair-minded and for the most part don’t see things one way or the other based on race.
Some of the questions themselves, on the other hand, were unnecessarily provocative and biased. That is, their design was based on an assumption of racial bias.
For example, participants in the AP online poll were asked whether they agree or disagree with the following statements: “Irish, Italians, Jewish, and other minorities overcame prejudice and worked their way up. Blacks should do the same without special favors.”
What kind of question is this? Who doesn’t believe that everyone should work his or her way up? The underlying assumption is blatantly racist, implying as it does that blacks don’t work and do expect special favors.
It is heartening that the majority, perhaps perceiving the trap, neither strongly agreed nor disagreed.
Another statement read: “It’s really a matter of some people just not trying hard enough; if blacks would only try harder, they could just be as well off as whites.” Why not just ask people when they stopped beating their children?
The lengthy poll posed similar questions about other races and ethnicities. I selected these two because they were among the most egregiously biased and were most pertinent to the current election. It should be noted that most of those polled expressed a preference for Obama to win on Nov. 6, even though the figures have dipped somewhat since 2010, when the AP polling began.
Oh, and most identified themselves as white Christian Democrats (though not necessarily born-again) and most were from the South. So much for the racist-Republican Confederacy, which never dies in the eyes of some political commentators. Sullivan, declaring a Cold Civil War, found “fascinating” the reconstitution of the Confederate states should Romney win the three previously mentioned. But the obvious implication, Sullivan’s protests notwithstanding, is that people who vote for Romney in those states are necessarily racist.
What else could he have meant by mentioning the Confederacy in the context of a black incumbent president being rejected by three Southern states that previously embraced him? Operative words: “previously embraced him.” What happened? Did all those people who voted for Obama in 2008 suddenly become racist? Or have they lost confidence in Obama four years later? Obama had a 70 percent approval rating early in his administration. Did all those people suddenly become racist?
We are not a nation naive enough to think race plays no part in our perceptions and responses. And where there are humans, there will be racists. But this nation also elected an African-American as its president. By an overwhelming majority, Americans like him and wanted him to succeed.
If Obama loses, it will be his own un-doing. Meanwhile, no one questions why 95 percent of blacks support the president. Is it racial? Or is it simply that most African-Americans happen to be Democrats?
Sununu implied the former, hinting that Powell chose Obama out of racial loyalty. I wish Sununu hadn’t gone there. Had Powell endorsed Romney, he’d be a GOP hero, just as he now is to Democrats who have managed to overlook his convincing support for the weapons of mass destruction hypothesis in Iraq.
So it goes. But even the netherworld of politics should have standards. To pre-emptively label people racist for favoring a candidate who happens to be white, and otherwise advancing a narrative that will create only racial animus should Obama lose, is implicitly biased, unfair and a breach of good faith. Stop it.
Kathleen Parker is a columnist for the Orlando Sentinel. Her email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.
Nov 4, 2012 at 8:58 p.m.
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"Have you heard how Republicans are laughed at?"
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I sure have Godishere. I laugh every time I hear Romney claim the "job creators" need a tax cut. Or how wealth "trickles" down to the middle class and poor. Or when they claim "science" can't be trusted. Then I cry when I when I hear those pathetic Republicans claim that a woman can shut down a pregnancy after being raped "legitimately" or that it's God's will when a woman is raped and becomes pregnant. Obama HAS changed everything - for the better.
Nov 3, 2012 at 11:24 a.m.
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Hate has never been higher.
We adults, want to take a walk in Chicago, Detroit
or say no to a choice without race or abortion a
discussion louder that God?
Obama is of no color, remember?
Obama is of no blue or red state, remember?
Obama cut the debt in half, remember?
Obama said he would "Fundamentally change our America" remember?
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He has changed the fabric of America. We are now poorer. All the rich Americans in this country CAN not stop the 8.2 billion a day we owe other countries on this debt. A day, each and EVERY day. Obama has used the color of skin to silence more Americans. His media use color of skin to make or break any ones humility. His campaigners have called Romney an "old fashioned white guy." What has happened to our country when a man or woman is afraid and shamed to speak out? Do you ever see Obama go into the areas where the poor are? Have you heard how Republicans are laughed at? Have you read your own minds? Do you not see homes empty for MONTHS after being sold? Do you not see the closed stores? Do you not understand we are going to lose another police officer over a skate park=do you not understand? How can you spend more than we have? Yet, you call this "forward" when my grandchildren have to pay this?
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Obama: You changed America. You broke us . YOU are man, not this God that Americans wept and desired to just touch your feet. You have Hollywood, the media, wall street, AARP, EVERY union but the miners and the border control. You were given the highest office of this country. I have nothing to give my family. Win win for Obama. After all, he needs another term to finish what he started. AGAIN:: I will not vote for him because of his Senate, and now POTUS record. His skin color has nothing to do with his record.
Nov 3, 2012 at 10:59 a.m.
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Bill Maher Warns Romney Supporters: 'Black People Know Who You Are and They Will Come After You'
Now why would he say something like that?
1. Race baiter
2. He knows Obama is going to lose.
3. He puts all blacks into a category like most of the liberals do. Women are a category. Christians are a category.
Conservatism celebrates the individual. Don't vote for Obama "revenge", vote for Romney and love of your country.
Stark difference isn't there. Hate or Love.
Nov 3, 2012 at 5:48 a.m.
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moo moo...you being naughty boy again?
Nov 2, 2012 at 4:25 p.m.
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Nobody denies racism still exists but to say just because someone is white and not voting for Obama is racist. You have to be kidding. He failed as president that is why I cannot vote for him. Racist people did not vote for him the first time. The drop in his numbers are not because of racism it is because of his lack of leadership
Nov 2, 2012 at 4:04 p.m.
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http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500160_162-4...
A poll in 2008 found that only 70% were ready for a black president....ready for one simply based on skin color not qualifications. If the 30% that wasn't ready for one isn't based on racism than perhaps I need a new definition of it.
Nov 2, 2012 at 3:11 p.m.
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I voted for Obama for his promises. I'm voting for Romney for his past accomplishments.
Obama lies have nothing to do with his race, nor his failures. He's not a leader, period.
Nov 2, 2012 at 2:41 p.m.
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Its all a bunch of non-sense to make people feel bad...blaming the victims or re-directing the blame. People, regardless of color, who won't vote for obumma are going to do-so based on his record, not his skin color. To quote Gene Simmons (who voted for Obumma in 08), "he's a piss-poor president". Only a racist would suggest that someone not voting for obumma is a racist. Only a racist would suggest that those that believe in reverse-descrimination are racists. Only a racist would single out a particular group of individuals based on color and give aid based on past racial biases...not even based on minority status. Of course, I'll be labled a racist for suggesting any of this.
Nov 2, 2012 at 2:35 p.m.
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correction..."All whites are going to hell."
Nov 2, 2012 at 12:48 p.m.
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It's obvious from the majority of comments coming from the Conservative ranks that an adult discussion regarding race relations in this country is impossible. At least for those posting on this article.
Nov 2, 2012 at 12:09 p.m.
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an alert, ttt, and moo moo...Lowery gave the benediction at Obama's inauguration and he did say "All whites are going to jail." Divert, divert, divert. You would rather ignore the racist comments from Obama's buddy and quibble about what his title was, that's sad.
Nov 2, 2012 at 7:34 a.m.
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"Playing the race card" is infuriating. If I'm somehow offensive to a white guy, I'm called a jerk. If I'm offensive to a black guy, I'm racist?!? That makes no sense.
Nov 2, 2012 at 7:12 a.m.
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There is confusion here over terms. Rick Warren gave the "invocation".
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/17...
Joseph Lowery gave the "benediction".
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/...
Nov 2, 2012 at 12:39 a.m.
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MooShoo I suggest you step up to the plate and explain how there is video, pictures, and audio all over the web of Pastor Lowery giving his benediction at the inaugural event. Must be more of that right wing conspirancy...
http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/01/obamas...
Nov 1, 2012 at 10:54 p.m.
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mooshoo- I think donnaw picked up that lie from Rush Limbaugh or Charlie Sykes. They are always putting out misinformation that for some reason is taken as gospel truth. The need new writers.
Nov 1, 2012 at 6:55 p.m.
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MooShoo: Since when are facts relevant on these threads?? C'mon man...
Nov 1, 2012 at 5:26 p.m.
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Race..Another diversion which helps the two psychopath "parties" continue to destroy the nation.
Nov 1, 2012 at 5:17 p.m.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHsb17MRA...
In Obama's own words.
Nov 1, 2012 at 4:52 p.m.
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Isn't if funny that all of us who voted for Obama in 2008 weren't racist and now that he's failed us and we want a new direction, we're now racist?
Just another warfare divide the nation as best you can ploy by Dems who have nothing left to campaign on. It's over.
Here's a secret - Obama's mother and grandparents were white. So you tell me, do I disagree with the policies on his Mother's side or his Father's side?
Nov 1, 2012 at 4:28 p.m.
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greatplan.....You are absolutely correct! The most common bumper sticker in Arizona, across the Colorado River from where I live in Nevada, is, "Put the White Back in the White House."
Nov 1, 2012 at 7:45 a.m.
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The Black pastor who gave the invocation at Obama's inauguration now said "All white people are going to hell." Who is the racist?
Oct 31, 2012 at 6:47 p.m.
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I agree with Dave. The press and blogs tend to show the most racist practices, such as bumper stickers and negative, racist signs too.
Oct 31, 2012 at 1:34 p.m.
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Right on the mark. Race and race-baiting have become a virtual industry, with those engaging in it either racist themselves, or standing to profit in some way from the notoriety.
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