"If you think racism isn't part of the conservative mindset,

Anon, I remember the problem you had, didn't you go on a big cruise also. Or, was that someone else. I believe it was you doing the "driving".

I have my conservative issues also. I don't like to mix issues or the same thread because, well hell, I don't know.

I do know that we in America today have become legions of extremists (even when we aren't). It is combative, Rush Limbaugh politics that have galvenized the populace. It is the reason I fully believe that 40% left and 40% right are commited to there stands and there are 20% that are in the mix.

BiilW:

We were supose to go one the cruise as of Jan. 18. JayBea's health is still pretty shakey, so we are postponing for a while.

The accident was last October, just before Holloween. I've been mending ever since. Got pretty busted up! Lucky I lived actually!

Anon

I am a white Southerner who is very proud of the progress made in race relations among our citizens over the past 50 years. Much more progress is needed and will be made as the next generation comes into its own.

It is my experience that most people who are Southern,
white and conservative are also racist. They are usually Republicans, too, as African-Americans usually vote Democrat as a bloc.

The GOP has used a "Southern strategy" in previous presidential elections. This involves using buzzwords such as "busing" or "affirmative action" to appeal to the white, Southern racists. Thus, African-Americans have, justifiably, sought progressive solace by voting Democrat.

I have no problem with people who are truly "conservative." Unfortunately, in my part of the country, "conservative" and "racist" seem to be synonymous.

I believe this topic is aimed more at the white Southern conservative but my experience in Orange County with my friends who are wealthy white conservatives is that no matter how much they try to hide it, things are said and come out that reveal their racism. William Henry knows of one inparticular and would be happy to know that I've broken off any friendship with that person -- he's one of the major philanthropists in Orange County. He recently gave a bundle to Christopher Reeve's foundation and was one of the major benefactors for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Chorale. He also supports scholarships at University of Irvine but, of course, has no control over what color of skin the recipients have (or, at least, I would hope not). Curiously (?) he gives little money to something that would directly help the poor or minorities and had even slighted giving anything to the AIDS foundations until I shamed him into it (he's gay).

(And he's positive). Just my own example of the compassion of convervatism.

What does "GOP" mean?

Grand Old Party, or so I've always heard, wilso. Always refers to the Republican Party, of which I am a member. Should someone decide that makes me into a racist, by the way, that's their problem - not mine.

hey Roger nobody would ever accuse you of being racist.

GOP - Grand Old Plutocrats

I was sure you wouldn't, dsy, yet conservative and Republican are closely identified with one another, and rightly so. Given the title of the question, I guess I thought I would stick my head up and see how much lightning it drew. Some other time, maybe I'll start a rant on the subject of generalizations.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I am also Southern, Christian, and mostly vote GOP (Grand Ole' Party.)
I can't, and won't try to, discredit what WilliamHenry said about his largely racist view of my demographic.

I will, however, state that when you take a broad group of people and stick a label on them, this act is known as discrimination and bigotry, IMO.

I would never begin a sentence with Blacks are... or Jews are...
I would ask people not to judge the motives or feelings of a group, as a group.

I repudiate racism, sexism, agism, regionalism, and all other 'isms' that intend to insult or accuse a large group of people of any inherent fault or offense.

This is not an attack, WilliamHenry, but an appeal to you to see people of my demographic as individuals.

Ah, but they do, all the time. Look at the comments of the originator of this discussion.

This is of course a convenient fiction. There are racists all across the political spectrum, and even were it true that more than half of all conservatives were racists, would this justify tarring all conservatives with that brush? Isn't that "prejudging" someone?

I was raised to treat people as individuals, and mete unto them as I deemed appropriate based on their individual behavior. The notion that I would make assumptions about someone because of something as arbitrary as skin color was absurd, and still is to me. Yet I find myself chucked into the "racist" bucket by people who don't like my political point of view.

Go figure. As my Dad used to say, "Ain't that a kick in the head!"

Anon says:



I had a friend who was in a terrific traffic accident about the same time. He almost lost his life also, and also a drunk driver was involved. Another friend almost went with him. Life and the world are so small. Hopefully you can get on that cruise soon!


Roger, I consider myself to be Conservative in many ways - but lots here would not realize it. In a lot of ways, I am more conservative than Republicans. Each person is consider on their own in my world. You would only be a racist if you exhibit and demonstratived racist tendancies. I don't know of anyone on A2K who I would label racist. The Republican Party could get over the first hurdle by not being the "Party of Inclusion" but the "Party of the Races". But the most important part is to mean it!

I wasn't entirely happy with the way this discussion was headlined but as a guide I did have a ligitimate question in my mind even though none of us can know what is in someone's inner thoughts. Closet racism is likely a more pervasive problem than any of would like to believe. I think the Trent Lott episode opened the wound. My personal experience in a conservative Orange County is that closet racism is a problem here. My business was snuggled right in the center of the conservative population here -- Newport Harbor at Newport Beach. I'm embarassed for the friends and clients I've had who display racists tendencies -- I was working with a interior design company in the area on some projects and several times the "n" word came up. Enough to make me suspicious and enough to cut them off as a client.

(They got their comeuppance -- I took their clients with me!)

Huh? Where did PDiddie accuse Roger of being a racist?

The title of the forum is "conservatives," which I would assume also means conservative Democrats. Roger identified as a Republican and I don't want to put words in his mouth as I always thought he was a centrist or moderate Republican. You'd have to hear from Roger as to whether he feels like he's been plummeted with "garbage" or not. I don't find the equation between "most conservatives" and Roger. Maybe he's not like "most conservatives." Maybe "most conservatives" aren't racists but I'll tell you, in my area I can have seen every indication that they are.

trespassers:

The operative word there is "most" Sorry you missed it. Anyone could have made such a mistake!!

Anon

I always like the definition and it's been quoted in these forums that the conservative is satisfied with existing evils and the liberal wants to replace them with new ones.