Dr. Laura is the current example of this widespread phenomenon. Michael Savage, Rush, Beck, etc.. often complain about feeling constrained in what they are 'allowed to say'. How many times have you heard this; 'alright, I'll say it' followed by some bit of honesty and stupidity.
Well listen up fellow white folks, it's time for let's make a deal!
It amazes me that for these giants of communication, the simplest notions elude them so completely. Words are abstractions created by our bodies to communicate ideas and feelings from one sentient being to another. That's why the same idea can be transmitted in many languages, or from language to language.
If you are constantly feeling that you are not able to say what it is that you really want to say, let me help you figure out what's really going on.
1. You are not allowed to be racist (in your business, talk radio, etc...)
2. Different people have different ideas as to what constitutes racism
3. If you say the wrong thing, you will economically suffer
Ok, so I see how you can reach the conclusion that some things that are true, cannot be said because 'they're out to get you'. And I can see that you are confused and scared, but I'm here to help you.
The sneaking sinking feeling you get that stops you from saying something at some time is not actually your super keen anti PC police gaydar, it is in actuality...
Your Conscience.
It is your conscience that stops you, and you hate your conscience so very much. I can understand, it makes you feel bad about yourself. It's not very nice. It tries to stop you from saying the 'truth' all the time.
The words that you use are not the thing that others have a problem with. It is the ideas that form the words.
Let's use "Dr" Laura as an example here.
Here is an example where she is taking a very complicated issue, and trying to deal with it. Let's call it the N word for now.
Here is a word which is loaded with history and emotion. It evokes passion and fire at its very mention. To speak it aloud is to risk social and economic ruin for her.
Dr. Lauras point is a perfectly valid point and is a major question regarding race relations today.
Is it ok for one race to be treated differently from another?
Is that not the very essence of racism?
This is the part of the issue that I see as being the main stumbling block that modern whites in the US can't get past. Let's look at what she was talking about. She uses the example of comedians on HBO. So, I feel compelled to do the same. Let us however avoid the entire discussion of "nigga" for now, and focus on the actual "N-word".
The whole issue regarding the N-word is contained in the following very powerful word, CONTEXT.
So in this discussion with a black caller, Dr. Laura controls the narrative. The caller is in a mixed marriage and here's the beginning.
"CALLER: OK. Last night -- good example -- we had a neighbor come over, and this neighbor -- when every time he comes over, it's always a black comment. It's, "Oh, well, how do you black people like doing this?" And, "Do black people really like doing that?" And for a long time, I would ignore it. But last night, I got to the point where it --
SCHLESSINGER: I don't think that's racist."
It is racist. It is plainly racist. The comments the caller describes are two very plainly racist comments. Sure, they are not inciting violence against a particular race, or denigrating a particular race, or comments containing any real negative intent towards a particular race, however they are comments which separate people into races and then assume knowing that the caller is black and the neighbor white that; a. there is a "black think" as described by Dr L, and; b. that the caller knows better what the "black think" is than the neighbor because she is black.
Now, I can see where the neighbor is coming from. He has some questions and is curious about what black people think. He is trying to have a dialogue, trying to learn. He isn't trying to be mean, hateful, spiteful, or anything negative at all.
But maybe we can see that the caller can justifiably be upset, even though the neighbor may have no ill intent whatsoever. Here she is in a mixed race marriage in a world that can be less than friendly toward such marriages. Here comes a neighbor who has some questions about black people, after all he's been told his entire life that 'they' think differently about things than him. So he asks them. Of her. Because she's black. Now she's Queen Caller from Blackyllvania, duly elected representative of all black opinion and ideas. Elected by her white neighbor. Because she's black.
Once again reminded that she is not just his neighbor. She's his black neighbor.
Well, if you can't see how night after night, she could at least get frustrated by this, then you are of no use to me.
Anyway Dr Laura immediately goes on to talk about Obama, claiming that "a lot of blacks voted for Obama simply 'cause he was half-black" and then in the same thought "the guys who were gonna start playing basketball. I was going to go out and play basketball. My bodyguard and my dear friend is a black man. And I said, "White men can't jump; I want you on my team." That was racist? That was funny".
I can see a problem there.
Help me Merriam Webster
Racism
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
So, lets just ignore the first definition, for now.
Let's define prejudice and discrimination though.
Prejudice
1 : injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims
2 a (1) : preconceived judgment or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b : an instance of such judgment or opinion c : an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics
Discrimination
1 a : the act of discriminating b : the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently
2 : the quality or power of finely distinguishing
3 a : the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually b : prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment
So now we have everything properly defined, thanks again to Merriam-Webster.
Racism can be defined as racial prejudice or discrimination.
Prejudice can be defined as preconceived judgment or opinion.
An adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge.
An instance of such judgment or opinion.
An irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics.
So apparently the ill intent clause is not necessary for a thing to be considered racist, at least in the English language. It can be as simple as a preconceived notion as applied to race.
So let's get back on track.
Dr Laura immediately goes on to talk about Obama, claiming that "a lot of blacks voted for Obama simply 'cause he was half-black" and then in the same thought "the guys who were gonna start playing basketball. I was going to go out and play basketball. My bodyguard and my dear friend is a black man. And I said, "White men can't jump; I want you on my team." That was racist? That was funny".
The comment "a lot of blacks voted for Obama simply 'cause he was half-black" fits our definition of racism. So there's that.
And then there is the rather bizarre twist next, note the basketball reference...
"the guys who were gonna start playing basketball. I was going to go out and play basketball. My bodyguard and my dear friend is a black man. And I said, "White men can't jump; I want you on my team." That was racist? That was funny"
This is the equivalent of saying, "some of my best friends are black".
So Dr. Laura is going to play basketball, and feels comfortable enough with her black bodyguard to make a racist joke "White men can't jump; I want you on my team.". The white men can't jump cliche is a racist comment that denigrates whites, i.e. "racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race" in this case athletics. AKA, the first definition of racism from Merriam-Webster. But it's ok to Dr Laura as this does not denigrate blacks, the equivalence of self deprecating humor. And that may even be fine morally or whatever, however it is racist. Clearly.
What she doesn't get is that its humor (generously allowing the word here) comes from the fact that it is racist. She's white, he's black, they can be racist around each other because it's safe, they like each other and treat each other with respect, and there's no ill intent. It's forbidden, it's dirty, it's starting to sound like Dr L has other possible issues with her bodyguard. Wait a second, he's her bodyguard? He's her employee?? Her token black friend is her paid bodyguard?? Seriously?
That was funny?
So Dr Laura has given us at this point three examples of racism that are not racism, even though they really are.
Next.
The caller brings the N-word in. Oh boy!
Now Dr Lauras power is threatened. She is now upset because black people are allowed to do something that she is not, and that is to use the N-word.
Now, normally I would applaud a person who feels threatened by authority to confront that authority and rebel openly. But this just doesn't make that cut.
I was going to keep going but I will conclude with this.
If our public figures continue to be rewarded for their bad behavior, the will continue to behave badly. It is not just a matter of avoiding letting slip the stupid comment, but not believing the stupid things that make the stupid comment stupid, stupid! Ha parse that!
Seriously, it makes my soul tired to know that I am the same species as these people, and that they are what society laps up. We love it so much. This is why I don't watch TV anymore.
