Who's teaching America's youth how to be racist in 2009?

by Rhonda J Mangus | September 24, 2009 at 04:22 am

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"The unfortunate thing is that racism is real. Racism does still exist here in America. I've seen it with my own eyes. And every time Nancy Pelosi or David Paterson or David Letterman pretends it lives somewhere it doesn’t, it makes it all the more difficult to find out where it actually does." (S.E. Cupp)

According to political commentator S.E. Cupp, "Generational Racism is Old and Tired" and Jimmy Carter, Dave Letterman, Nancy Pelosi, Maureen Dowd, and Al Sharpton are teaching America's youth how to be racist in 2009. According to Cupp, "They are very good instructors."

Whether it’s Carter’s insistence that “an overwhelming portion” of the opposition to Obama is racist, or it’s Dowd declaring “Some people just can’t believe a black man is president,” or it’s Pelosi’s feigned crocodile tears over the “language being used,” or it’s Letterman baiting the president into a race discussion, each one of them is telling my generation and the ones that follow that race is merely a political weapon of expedience, to be used haphazardly and crudely simply to get what you want. As long as there is a convenient victim to prop up, some kind of imagined target of the hood-donning right, it doesn’t matter if the racism is real or perceived. It just matters that it’s effective.

And it used to be. Race was always a hot-button topic in this country, and it still is. But the sharpness of that threat has been dulled a bit. Thanks to the inarguable success of the civil rights movement, my generation, the 20- and 30-somethings, didn’t grow up encumbered by the aggressive identity politics of the 60s and 70s, or the kind of rhetoric that made white people scared to talk about race, and men scared to talk about gender.

So my generation isn’t so easily intimidated by discussions of race, because we were raised in a climate that was much less hostile toward them. And that should be a good thing, the unmitigated result of equality and justice, the mark of progress. We talk about race in blunt and unthreatening terms when race is an issue. And when it isn’t an issue, well, we don’t pretend it is.

Not so with the aging liberal cognoscenti, which, as of late, would be better labeled the “ignoscenti” for some of the baffling oddities they’ve uttered. For them, race is simply everywhere. It is hanging from the trees and falling from the sky. It’s in the air, in the water, it is both viscous and fluid, and permeates every willing orifice of every fertile sponge. The Sharptons and Dowds and Carters and Lettermans have decided that they’re not quite ready to live in the post-race America they effervesced about so dreamily and giddily during the presidential campaign. And why not? Because, as it turns out, living in a “racist America” is much more useful to them.

Instead of discussing Obama’s plans for health care reform, immigration, foreign policy or the economy on their merits (or demerits, as it were), graying liberal finger-pointers have discovered it’s so much easier to simply play the race card. So any opposition to the president’s initiatives – which are frightening enough without projecting an imagined veil of racism onto them – quickly elicits throaty screams of “racism!” with the hope that all their enemies will scurry back into their caves, shamed into hiding by the tenured, holier-than-thou professors of race politics who are still clinging to their 1965 textbooks.

Race-baiting is so five minutes ago, we tell them – but it falls on deaf (or at least hearing-impaired) ears. No matter, they’re hoping that the old-school racializing of everything and anything (did Joe Wilson say “boy,” like Maureen Dowd said?! Gasp!) will come back into fashion. It won’t. Because my generation is the first that isn’t willing to go gentle into that good night, intimidated and threatened by Al Sharpton’s erratic dry-heaving or Maureen Dowd’s shrill lectures, or Jimmy Carter’s see-through sanctimony. I know they really, really want us to take them and their lunatic accusations of racism seriously, but we're rebelling instead. Better get used to it. It's all just part of the aging process.

Full article, here.

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Karen Hatter

at 07:21 on September 24th, 2009

Speaking of racism, stating what is known and experienced by many citizens in America, despite this country's accomplishment in electing its first African American president in November 2008, who garnered votes from all races and all demographics, is not teaching racism.

Ignoring racism, which is very much still a disturbing factor in American life, however, enables racism to continue unaddressed, putting the nation and its citizens in peril of its continued poisonous influence.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 16:45 on September 24th, 2009

Thank you for reading and commenting, Karen. I would just like to point out that President Obama is not America's first African-American president. He is however the first, apparently, to acknowledge his ancestry--bi-racial-- from the womb of a white mother coupled with a black Kenyan father.

With that said, I don't think most are ignoring racism. Cupp states in her article that racism is in fact very real. The problem is calling on the "race card" when in most cases no racism is present at all -- and, worse, to discourage discourse.

Consequently, it is my opinion that the nation and its citizens are in peril of its continued poisonous influence, not because it is ignoring racism still exists, but because too many are not willing to let the 'race-card' go.

Rik P (not verified)

at 07:51 on September 24th, 2009

I am sorry but, WHAT?? people shouting bury Obamacare along with Kennedy.Signs showing Obama as a clown or nazi . Equating Obama with hitler -> whom is teaching racism ?get a clue, it's the racists and wingnuts (birthers !! there is a racist group for sure, and whacko also) gathering their splintered factions under 1 banner, oppose Oboma and his policys.Don't look at the TV for teachers, look at the parents and social climate in the states where this activity is most prevalent. Carter was not teaching it, he was drawing oters attention t an issue which others dance around and blame everyone and everything except the inviduals who are fostering this climate. Racism is taught at home, not on the tube. Let's get upset at the parents and politicians who are spreading this horrible mind set.

a211423

at 10:06 on September 24th, 2009

"...Jimmy Carter, Dave Letterman, Nancy Pelosi, Maureen Dobb and Al Sharpton are teaching America's youth to be racist...."

America's youth do not learn to be racist from watching late night talk shows or watching political commentary. Racism is systemic, and just as children learn to love from their parents, they can also learn to hate.

The movie American History X is a difficult movie to watch, but everyone should see it, so they can understand where the roots of racism are grounded, and it begins at home. This movie powerfully takes you through a range of emotions from hate and disgust to general hope for the central character who becomes a White Supremecist. It shows how racism and prejudice are taught on a daily basis by pointed and seemingly harmless comments by parents. Then these emotions become twisted in the mind of a young person who becomes venegefull over the circumstances of his life. He ultimately turns his life around, but it is too late for his younger brother.

Think it through (not verified)

at 11:22 on September 25th, 2009

I agree. These examples of public people raising the race issue is not where racism in the USA comes from or are significant causes of continued racism. Racism continues through the exposure to it in the thoughts and actions of the parents, community or teen groups who might think it is cool or macho. After over 250 years of racism in the USA, it can't be eliminated overnight. However, with conscious efforts to show racism as the sickness it is, the USA can continue on it's path to end that form of ignorance.

premji jairam (not verified)

at 10:25 on September 24th, 2009

Racism is curse on humanity.This has been systematically practised by some vested interests throughout the world in order to have economic upperhand.This concept is outdated in the present context in which it looses its validity.But as the villain do not accept defeat and fights till its demise the same thing also is with racism.We are not civilised and educated enough to see above the animal instict.Our whole faculty of seeing things is vitiated.But in humanbeings all are not living at the level of animal there are some who see far above and because of them huminity survives sofar.

A. Tran

at 11:27 on September 24th, 2009

With due respect to the author, I don't think the 20's something spend their days listening to or following what those five persons have said or discussed.

I'm wary of people who make sweeping generalization about the youth of America and the same can be said about those who make sweeping generalization about any group.

The_Cynic

at 11:30 on September 24th, 2009

Her Twitter page.

Is she then, asking people not to listen to people such as Carter - who really does know what racism looks like - see where he was brought up.

"S.E. Cupp, "Generational Racism is Old and Tired" and Jimmy Carter, Dave Letterman, Nancy Pelosi, Maureen Dowd, and Al Sharpton are teaching America's youth how to be racist in 2009."

That alone tells me she is a fool!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 16:51 on September 24th, 2009

The_Cynic, thanks for the link to Ms. Cupp's Twitter page. I just browsed through it -- interesting! Thanks again!

Andrew Abate (not verified)

at 12:45 on September 24th, 2009

One thing to take away from this article, provided its how this article is meant to be taken...is that racism exists EVERYWHERE...it ALWAYS has and it ALWAYS will. Unless we find a way to make every person on this planet the same color, height, weight...look the same, dress the same, talk the same and basically turn the world into the "stepford" world...racism will be there. I always hear that this is a pesimistic way to view things, but thats BS...I am a realist. One of the most fundamental traits in the human brain is to be a "pack animal", protect your own...if something is different, it might be dangerous...black and white..and yellow, and brown...and red...each sticks to their own when the chips are down, maybe not as an extremist or a fanatic, but there is a certain tribal mentality when you are surrounded by your own kind, it's human nature. It's the same reason we need police, the same reason a program like welfare...designed to help the needy is exploited, the reason there is a debate on religion, healthcare, abortion...etc., it all boils down to human nature. We really are destined to destroy ourselves and the ones purpetuating most of the turmoil and racism are the very same people pretending to "care" about it and pretend they are trying to find ways to resolve the issue are most in part the very same people profiting from it's existance and profiting from campaign after campaign to try and fight it, it's burning the candle at both ends...and it's simply human nature. In the interest of SELF preservation, human nature is to do whatever has to be done for survival. Obviously this does not apply to EVERYONE, at least...not when anyone is watching, or when the camera is on...but it's always there, just below the surface. Having accepted this as my personal reality, I am able to descern between good and bad people, ffrom every color or shape or religion or any other distinguishing factor that would provoke my basic human nature to want to throw a rock, grunt like a neanderthal and run the other way...I like to be surprised by the decency and good in people and I like to think that we COULD in fact become a "perfect world", if only we could get a grasp on human nature and adopt the simple concept that most people have drilled into their heads from birth till death...Treat others as you want them to treat you...AND, there is not much room for opinion in the "real world", there is simply RIGHT and WRONG...periodandrewmabate@aol.com

Rhonda J Mangus

at 16:53 on September 24th, 2009

Andrew Abate, thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this article!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 16:53 on September 24th, 2009

Thanks, jazz!

Hall Monitor (not verified)

at 17:32 on September 24th, 2009

Judging by the amount of school districts that forbid the viewing of President Obama's education speech to students, I would say some of it is still quietly inherent.Hall Monitordetentionslip.org

Hall Monitor (not verified)

at 17:33 on September 24th, 2009

detentionslip.org

Rhonda J Mangus

at 05:46 on September 25th, 2009

Hall Monitor, thanks for stopping by, commenting, and for referencing detentionslip.org. Congrats to the authors of the blog as well for earning the top spot in Times Top 25 Blogs Award 2009!

Albert Milliron

at 19:02 on September 24th, 2009

I know of racism as well.. But the racism is not dissent. One can have differences with all types of folks. what bothers me is the word racism is being used so much that real racism may be ignored. I am hopeful that MLK dream will be true that we all look at each other as equal and based on character. Just by responding and recommending this story I may be called a racist. Sad

Rhonda J Mangus

at 08:33 on September 25th, 2009

politisite, it is really unfortunate that you have concerns about being perceived as racist by responding and recommending this story. In light of this, I sincerely thank you for both responding to and recommending this story. Your doing so demonstrates what Ms. Cupp points out --- we're rebelling:)! "Generational Racism is Old and Tired" Thanks again!

Albert Milliron

at 10:55 on September 25th, 2009

S.E. Cupp is a Friend. She is of the younger generation so her observations can be viewed from that perspective. Having said that, it is not the only perspective and will should always view the opinions of others with different experiences. My idasadvantage in this case is being a white man (I guess) who lives in the south. I chose to live in a mixed community and attended mixed religious services, because I beleive that we all came from Adam and Eve and from whatever training I have thos first humans were probably people of color. Having said that, I beleive that my hertitage can be traced to them and so as a Christian calls him self a grafted Jew, I also see myself as a decended of Africans,

I have been calle a racist based on my idiology. If folks would simply rea my material on the issue, they wouold know that I have voted for a persob of color in 1996, encourage African-Americans into the fold of the GOP, and my chairman in Georgia was African-American. Today my GOP leader is African American. If one cannot see progress in that area, they are missing something.

Our last president George W. Bush trippled adi to the African Union and African programs over the previos president Clinton. My two sponcered children are Hatians where I have a lifetime commitement to help these two wonderful children with education, medical, and food without undermining the childrens parents as the sole providers for their care.

Our churches focus on the poorest folks in south Carolina, where many happent to be African American. In SC alone the GOP is looking to break up the some 84 districts that will devide the tax base evenily throught the satate dispite the tax rates. We may all have differant approaches to the problems, but to say that southern whites are racist is a streatch comapared to the SC of the past.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 12:35 on September 25th, 2009

Thanks for sharing, politisite! Cupp's may not be the only perspective, but it is one worth paying attention to, I think:)! And I agree, "If one cannot see progress in that area, they are missing something."