Posted by: McQ on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 I think one of the most useful aspects of the Democratic primary, because a black man and a white woman are running, is the debate it is forcing over charging sexism and racism at the drop of a hat. Complaints made by the right for decades about how everything is twisted into a charge of sexism or racism when convenient are now seeing the light of day among Democrats and the left. It is as if a huge veil is being lifted from their eyes as the accusers of the past are suddenly the accused. Take Geraldine Ferraro. Accused of making racist comments by claiming Obama wouldn't be where he is if he wasn't black, she responds: "Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let's address reality and the problems we're facing in this world, you're accused of being racist, so you have to shut up," Ferraro said. "Racism works in two different directions. I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?"Frankly that's hilarious. It's obvious they're attacking her because she's a woman. But seriously, she hits on the most important point to be made in this dust up. These sorts of counter-attacks have a purpose and that purpose is to silence the critic and end the discussion by citing race (or sex). It is a tactic the left has used successfully for years. Whether you agree with Ferraro's point or not about why Obama is where he is today, you can't deny that the purpose of pulling the race card is to marginalize her and shut her up. If she can be successfully branded as a racist (or having made a racist comment) then she can be ignored. And right on cue, Hillary Clinton enables that: In an interview with The Associated Press, Clinton distanced herself from Ferraro's initial remark.The politically savvy Ferraro knows what's going on and goes after Obama campaign manager David Axelrod who called Ferraro's comments "part of an "insidious pattern" of remarks from Clinton supporters that have drawn attention to Obama's race": "He knows damn well that the best thing to do in a situation like this is to come back and hit with race," Ferraro said, adding that the response is a sign that the Obama campaign is "worried" about the first-term senator's lack of experience.Precisely. Pull the race card and successfully deflect attention from the real point of weakness - experience. Ferraro then acknowledges the obvious: Ferraro said she was not trying to diminish Obama's candidacy, and acknowledged up front that she would not have been the vice presidential nominee in 1984 if she had been a man.To some extent, I agree. In reality, a politician doesn't want to be accused of being either racist or sexist, but in the hierarchy of accusations that hurt, racism is far more powerful than sexism. That said, the point to be made here is the "racism" and "sexism" chickens have come home to roost with a vengeance during this Democratic primary. And those slapped with it are understanding both the purpose and the result of such tactics. And interestingly they object and object mightily. Good. Maybe, finally, we can begin to put all this PC nonsense to bed, recognize that not every reference to race or gender involves racism or sexism. Maybe we can actually have debates and discussions about the reality of statements and opinions vs. marginalizing and muting those who may say something we disagree by using false charges. Maybe. _________________ Linked by Outside the Beltway and Sister Toldjah - Thanks! |
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