America Mourns the Death of Joe the Racist: Will Racism Rest in Peace?: Paul Scott
The Game For half of America, the outcome of the last election was seen as a time to celebrate the birth of a new era of change. For the other half, it was a funeral to mourn the death of Racism and the idea that America is "a white man's country." While both of these scenarios made good headlines, neither represents reality; historically nor in real time.
This may come as a shock for the overly optimistic but Racism is not dead. Matter of fact, it has more lives than Jason from the Friday the 13th movie series. Just when you think you've finally laid him to eternal rest , you hear that annoying horror movie music and teenage campers start going missing at the lake.
The reason for the resilience of Racism is mostly because most people don't have a working definition of the term. While the dictionary may define it as "the notion that one's own ethnic stock is superior," the functional definition digs deeper into the social and economic roots of the "notion" of racial superiority. Racism is the ability for one's race to impose its will on another race. And to quote writer Neely Fuller, "the only form of functional Racism that exists among the people of the known universe is White Supremacy." Therefore, as a group, black people cannot be racist nor do we have any real power to dictate the terms of this country's race relations. In reality, the only black person in this country that has that power is Barack Obama, himself.
Historically speaking, this is not the first time that Racism has flat lined. From the time of the Emancipation Proclamation to Reconstruction to the election of President John F. Kennedy, many have prematurely declared Racism dead. Even in recent times, in the sometimes shallow world of Hip Hop , some have seen the popularity of white rappers such as Vanilla Ice and Eminem as evidence that Racism was on its last legs.
Racism is a horrible burden to bear for black folks and it is understandable why some are quick to report that "Joe the Racist" has died of pneumonia when, in actuality, he only had a cold.
For some, the reasons are economically motivated . It has always been a feeling among some African Americans that in order to move up in the world, you have to "act white" and deny your own culture. So, the upwardly mobile middle class no longer have to worry about being called "Oreos, sell-outs or Uncle Toms" at this year's Thanksgiving dinner by less affluent family members. If Racism is dead then everyone has equal opportunity.
There is also a sexual component to the need to break down racial barriers. For many years white women have been the forbidden fruit. There are black men who champion a color blind society for no other reason than to have a better chance of dating Sarah Palin.
But despite all the wishful thinking, there are reasons why Racism has more lives than Garfield. First, as activists like the late Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichel) were quick to point out, Capitalism, needs Racism in order to survive. There has to be a permanent underclass and this underclass has been made up, primarily, of people of color.
Also, fighting Racism is in and of itself a business. If Racism ends, many civil rights leaders will be in line at Wall Mart trying to hook up a job for the Christmas season. Lastly, for a large segment of the population, the only way that you will remove the sceptre of white supremacy is from their cold dead hands. If one truly needs to to know that Racism is alive and kicking one needs only to flip his radio dial to the local conservative talk radio station. As long as you have right wing conduits such as Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Mike Savage holding daily seances on radio and TV shows, it won't be long before the white sheet wearing specter of Racism rises from the dead saying, "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated." Paul Scott's , the Hip Hop TRUTH Minista" , blog is http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com
Thank you for the webspace. Best of luck
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Yeah, thank you for bringing up Sam-the-Sham-"Joe" "Weaselbacker" (aka Wurzelbacher). He is the face of the McCain campaign and his hairstyle (or lack thereof) does make him look for all the world like a skinhead I wonder where he is now that his hero, McCain, lost the election. Will he go to work for Fox News as an undercover Roto-Rooter man? Nevertheless, the mindset that fuelled the McCain campaign, namely right wing ideology, and bigotry of all stripes and forms is alive and well. You should read the blogs at the end of major news stories of the day. The sniping, grousing Weaselbacker crowd is already in the advanced stages of finding pre-inauguration fault with Barack Obama. You can bet they will function as constant detractors during Obama's tenure in power. They will 'Bill Clinton' Obama, and spend the next four years seeking to dig up any and every scurrilous bit of slander and misinformation they can to try and discredit the new president. He will find out as Clinton did just how vicioius and determined the right wing is.
by
JOHN LORENZ (23 articles, 117 quicklinks, 118 diaries, 313 comments [25 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 at 8:43:13 AM
This author perpetuates the fallacy by Neely Fuller, "the only form of functional Racism that exists among the people of the known universe is White Supremacy."
It presuposes that only white people have power.
Every person on this planet has power. That power becomes political power when two or more gather around an idea or common goal.
Racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, is when that common idea or common goal behind the political power denies Natural Law and its unalienable rights.
The statement that only White Supremacy is the only functional racism is in itself a racist statement in that it denies non-whites have power.
Unfortunately it is all to true racism is still a real part of the human condition. It is the duty of all people of good will; be ever vigilent for times and situations the dignity (creator endowed rights/power) of any individual or group is being threatened.
Vigilence needs to keep in forefront of mind; creator endowed rights/power is most vulnerable in times of war or external threat.
by
MoSceal (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 1:05:52 PM
I'm so happy .. now we have Moly the Mooch.. thank you Mr President .. No more mortgages, no more gas prices, free health care... It's a great place to live... I hope he's telling the truth.. Bigger government .. Papa Bear is gonna take real good care of us. Tax the Bad Boy Gas Companies... and we really believe the price of gas will not go back up to $5.00 a gallon.. the gas companies will not lay off employees and send jobs over seas... Must be nicde to live in a make believe dream world .. What happens when he runs out of money and we see our taxes go up... nnnaww never happen
by
Don Bybee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 116 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 8:36:04 PM
forgot .. President Obama also said he would bankrupt the Coal Industry in Pennsylvania... and they still loved for him... they must have another job lines up... where is he .. and how is he going to increase jobs if he taxes all the Big Companies ? If you dislike Hannity, Rush and Bortz maybe you are a racist...
by
Don Bybee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 116 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 8:40:13 PM
(0+)
Want to post your own comment on this Article?
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Contact Author
View Authors' Articles
(0+)
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0) 
