This all followed on to an N.A.A.C.P. condemnation of racist elements within the Tea Party movement. This was greeted with shock and dismay by spokespeople like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. Later, the movement had to jettison Mark Williams and his Tea Party Express given his clear demonstration of outright racism in the form of his self-authored 'note from N.A.A.C.P. head Ben Jealous to President Lincoln'.
Whether or not or to what extent the Tea Party movement is inclusive of a racist element is really not the central issue, in my mind. The problem with such an angle is that it avoids the broader issue. That is that there is clearly a significant segment of the population that is disposed toward a pretty high level of racial animosity - a level that most Americans are uncomfortable discussing. The Tea Party and much of the concern that is being expressed over growing government programs, spending, and debt relates to an important discussion too. But the visceral nature of the language and the response by too many people, as well as the lack of reason that is demonstrated in their accusations and conspiratorial ideas about the Obama administration bespeaks troubling levels of fear and disdain.
One could chalk up the vitriol to concerns about socialism, or oppressive government, or too little attention to the border, etc. if it were not for two uncomfortable things: (1) the level of hatred that is being spewed by this movement is not consistent with its response to the same sorts of policy orientations by the previous administration, and (2) the issue of race just keeps emerging in overt as well as more subtle ways in the opposition's narrative.
I found Professor Harris-Lacewell's comments in the Hardball segment posted below to be particularly thought-provoking. While I think that it is going too far to say that reverse racism is a complete myth, I do think that a couple of her points are right on the mark. First, the fact that the story got the initial reaction and coverage that it did reflects the reality that a sizable portion of American society operates at a steady simmer about what it believes to be double-standards when it comes to race. These double-standards relate to both opportunities and standards.
The opportunities narrative is displayed clearly in the clip from the movie, Crash. The narrative is in many ways a reaction to and resentment over affirmative action programs. It is one that I frequently hear in public and private discourse. It comes in many forms, some of which I genuinely believe are quite reasonable. It also often comes in the form of personal experience in which one strongly feels that he/she was 'passed over' because he/she was up against a minority (perhaps even one who is viewed by the offendee as less qualified). The core perception is that minorities get jobs and promotions unfairly. The resulting common assumption is that black people in high positions got there because of race, not ability. Such was part of the context, I think, with Shirley Sherrod. The lens through which many people saw the small segment of her speech was one that held that she did not belong in the job she was in in the first place.
The other part of the opportunities narrative that people are less open about is the perceived exploitation of public programs by minorities. This view is typically bolstered by anecdotes about black mothers (in particular) with multiple children who are abusing the social welfare system, and is generalized as a systemic reality. One can see this demonstrated in Mark Williams' letter mentioned above.
But is the opportunities narrative really valid in broad terms? I don't mean do you know someone or were you personally 'passed over' by an affirmative action hire or promotion. I mean in the broad terms that relies upon such individual stories and generalizes them into a more systemic truth.
Look at outcomes and overall experience. Don't limit yourself to before the Civil War. Don't stop at the Civil Rights Movement. Don't even stop when you find out that the U.S. elected a black president. Look at in terms of socio-economic, health, educational, criminal justice, or whatever other data you want to. Once you have done that, in all honesty answer the following question. Do 'they' really have it so easy, and get all the breaks?
The standards narrative is even more relevant to the Sherrod story. The subtext was that she was an angry black woman who operated out of spite for white people. It is easy to jump to such a conclusion when you are already operating from the assumption that this 'reverse racism' permeates black society in America, and the clip that 'we' saw was a window into how 'they' talk about us when we're not there. As Harris-Lacewell argues, this was the reason for the resonance among the same group when Michelle Obama said that "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country."
Second, the assertion that such expressions of criticism and even anger by black people reflects racism rather than a justifiable resentment about one's experience as a minority - and particularly a black minority - in the United States, is as ridiculous as it is widespread. To argue that there are not both historic and contemporary reasons for such a perspective is to stand in the face of facts and say, "but I heard on (name your favorite pundit's show) that this one black woman was totally doing (choose your favorite stereotypical tendency), and that this is part of a big trend." As Harris-Lacewell points out, the utitlity of this belief is that it justifies one's own racist feelings by working on the assumption that everyone really is kind of racist.
I heard someone say once that slavery is America's original sin. The racial division that was borne out of this historic wrong has permeated American society since that time. It is an issue that we have not for a long time had open and honest conversations about. Many of us like to tell ourselves that it is a problem that has gone away. It seems to me that the Sherrod story and its underlying subtext is evidence that it has not.
I intend to post another blog soon relating to the parallel story that is being ginned up by FOX News and the standard sources about the Obama administration's dual treatment of civil rights offenses, as displayed by the Justice Department's decision not to prosecute the New Black Panther Party for voter intimidation. Needless to say, I think that the very same subtexts can be seen underlying the accusations that are being made. I began this blog thinking it was going to be short and to the point. It is clearly not, and there is more to be said. I will continue to do in coming blogs.
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