The “N” word is back. I’m not talking about the foolish and gratuitous use of the word by rappers. I’m talking about the use of it within the body politic without it ever being said.
When I was younger, I watched some of the daytime talk shows. They included Geraldo Rivera, Phil Donahue and even Oprah.
From time to time, they would bring on some of the most virulent white racists imaginable and allow them to say some of the most egregious things possible. Things that would even make Archie Bunker blush.
The studio audience would invariably consist of blacks, whites, Asians and Hispanics who would understandably be vehemently opposed to these folks. We would see a diverse coming together of people decrying the use of racial epithets. But I have also discovered that older black folks were not put at ease by these kumbahya moments well-meaning as they were. These folks have long understood that the “N” word was not just a spoken word but an action as well. Those that were denied housing, jobs, equal opportunity, education witnessed the “N” word in action. The problem comes when we begin to diminish racism to the simple use of certain words. As a result if we don’t hear certain words racism must be over.
It has long been unacceptable in mixed circles to use certain words or phrases when speaking of people of color. When I interviewed a leader of the Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC) a white supremacist organization about then Senator Trent Lott’s affiliation with the group, the leader of the CCC was very careful about what words he used.
The Republican party is ingenious when it comes to being word smiths. Like preachers who use words to convey a meaning they have simply come up with a new way of saying the “N” word.
Republican candidates are using the “N” word without saying it. They have come up with a new way of appealing to the racist elements of their base. With exceptions like Chris Matthews and recently Bob Schieffer, many columnists on the left and right unfortunately give the Republicans cover by saying they are simply appealing to the most conservative and evangelical part of their base.
In years past, it was Ronald Reagan’s use of “strapping young buck.” Today its Michelle Bachman saying “gangsta White House. It’s Donald Trump questioning the Presidents birth certificate, and how he got into Harvard University. It is the Southern Baptist Rev. Mike Huckabee use of the term Mau Mau and not being part of the rotary club. It’s Newt Gingrich saying Obama pulled a con job on Americans and will make us dependent on food stamps. It’s Dinesh D’ Souza’s President of the Kings College in New York portrayal of Obama in his book.
One of the problems when it comes to issues such as this is that many members of the press are close to many of these people. When Jeanne Cummings of Politico, who admits to knowing Gingrich well, appearing on Hard Ball refused to refer to Newt Gingrichs comments as racist but after being pressed by Chris Matthews had to admit “I can’t defend them”
It is also difficult when members of the oppressed class will rise up in defense of the oppressor. Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson comments on Fox television that “Obama hates white men” is an attempt to give political cover. African American commentators such as Ron Christie and Amy Holmes also attempt to provide ample cover to a new virulent trend of political code words.
We give cover when we simply describe Newt Gingrich as a genius with baggage, Mike Huckabee as a nice guy, Donald Trump just seeking publicity or Michelle Bachman as just plain wacko. Despite their feigned ignorance, the Republicans know the implications of the strategy and tactics they are using. The difference today is that they do it with a smile.
The “N” word has not disappeared it has simply been reinvented.
When I was younger, I watched some of the daytime talk shows. They included Geraldo Rivera, Phil Donahue and even Oprah.
From time to time, they would bring on some of the most virulent white racists imaginable and allow them to say some of the most egregious things possible. Things that would even make Archie Bunker blush.
The studio audience would invariably consist of blacks, whites, Asians and Hispanics who would understandably be vehemently opposed to these folks. We would see a diverse coming together of people decrying the use of racial epithets. But I have also discovered that older black folks were not put at ease by these kumbahya moments well-meaning as they were. These folks have long understood that the “N” word was not just a spoken word but an action as well. Those that were denied housing, jobs, equal opportunity, education witnessed the “N” word in action. The problem comes when we begin to diminish racism to the simple use of certain words. As a result if we don’t hear certain words racism must be over.
It has long been unacceptable in mixed circles to use certain words or phrases when speaking of people of color. When I interviewed a leader of the Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC) a white supremacist organization about then Senator Trent Lott’s affiliation with the group, the leader of the CCC was very careful about what words he used.
The Republican party is ingenious when it comes to being word smiths. Like preachers who use words to convey a meaning they have simply come up with a new way of saying the “N” word.
Republican candidates are using the “N” word without saying it. They have come up with a new way of appealing to the racist elements of their base. With exceptions like Chris Matthews and recently Bob Schieffer, many columnists on the left and right unfortunately give the Republicans cover by saying they are simply appealing to the most conservative and evangelical part of their base.
In years past, it was Ronald Reagan’s use of “strapping young buck.” Today its Michelle Bachman saying “gangsta White House. It’s Donald Trump questioning the Presidents birth certificate, and how he got into Harvard University. It is the Southern Baptist Rev. Mike Huckabee use of the term Mau Mau and not being part of the rotary club. It’s Newt Gingrich saying Obama pulled a con job on Americans and will make us dependent on food stamps. It’s Dinesh D’ Souza’s President of the Kings College in New York portrayal of Obama in his book.
One of the problems when it comes to issues such as this is that many members of the press are close to many of these people. When Jeanne Cummings of Politico, who admits to knowing Gingrich well, appearing on Hard Ball refused to refer to Newt Gingrichs comments as racist but after being pressed by Chris Matthews had to admit “I can’t defend them”
It is also difficult when members of the oppressed class will rise up in defense of the oppressor. Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson comments on Fox television that “Obama hates white men” is an attempt to give political cover. African American commentators such as Ron Christie and Amy Holmes also attempt to provide ample cover to a new virulent trend of political code words.
We give cover when we simply describe Newt Gingrich as a genius with baggage, Mike Huckabee as a nice guy, Donald Trump just seeking publicity or Michelle Bachman as just plain wacko. Despite their feigned ignorance, the Republicans know the implications of the strategy and tactics they are using. The difference today is that they do it with a smile.
The “N” word has not disappeared it has simply been reinvented.
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