White Liberal Racism and Ethnic Minorities
Written by Bob Chandra
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury described a world in which firefighters burned books. In the guise of heroes coming to the rescue, they committed the most dastardly deeds. The people you would least expect were committing the crimes and therefore they were never opposed. This fictional account helps us understand how the "Party of Diversity" - the Democratic Party - is engaging in the most egregious racism in recent memory - and is getting away with it. Alarmingly, their bigotry is getting worse and most disturbingly, they have not been called to account. Many do not believe liberals are capable of racism, and therefore they turn a blind eye as the "firefighters burn the books," or in this case- utter vile racist epithets towards minorities.
Thinking Back
One aspect of the Democratic Party that always appealed to me was its support of diversity. Liberals didn't merely tolerate diversity; they celebrated it. What has jarred me from this dream was witnessing the Democratic Party's treatment of the occasional minority conservative who strived for higher office.
A Shot Across the Bow: Clarence Thomas
The Clarence Thomas nomination was the most brutal public lynching of a political nominee, before or since. A respected black judge and a Yale graduate who rose from poverty, Thomas was an intellectual rebel whose independent-mindedness offended the white liberal establishment. As many remember, on being nominated to the Supreme Court, Democrats launched an investigation meant to humiliate Thomas and cow him into withdrawing his nomination. A "show trial" was orchestrated and witnesses were paraded to tell a television audience that Thomas committed lewd acts would make the Starr Report seem tame. The Senate Committee found no evidence and dismissed the fraudulent charges. But the damage was done. And the message was sent by Democrats to the minority community: Cross us at your own peril. It is worth noting that Democrats subjected no white Republican nominee before or since to such incivility or hostility.
Redux: Condoleeza Rice and Al Gonzalez
In the 21st century, one would think that America ought to be ready for a highly capable African-American woman serving as Secretary of State. But there is an organized opposition that resorts to racist characterizations that depend on age-old stereotypes, dredges up phony charges in order to slander, and foments hatred towards minority nominees. This new racism has come from Liberal America, as well as from elected officials. It is loud, fearless, and militant.
Some examples? Liberal cartoonist Ted Rall labeled Rice a "House N*****", Liberal cartoonist Pat Oliphant depicted Rice as a parrot with extremely large lips. The mocking of minorities for physical appearance is a despicable practice that is being revived in liberal circles. And a liberal talk show host, John Sylvester, laughingly labeled Rice an "Aunt Jemima." This is what passes for humor amongst white liberal racists.
Given the dramatic shift of the Latino vote to President Bush in 2004, liberal pressure groups, led by
People for the American Way, are preparing an unprecedented public relations attack on the Latino nominee for Attorney General, Albert Gonzalez. This is "Clarence Thomas Redux" for the Latino community. Time will tell how effective it is this time around. Clearly, this hostility towards minority conservatives is not isolated, but indicative of a mentality in liberal America.
Liberal Racism Stems from Paternalism
Political paternalism colors everything Democrats do with minorities. White liberals see themselves as the "big brother" to the minority "child" who needs special assistance. Correspondingly, Democrats seek to take care of ethnic communities through government aid programs. Since the ethnic community is perceived as akin to a dependent child, liberals tend to believe that minorities cannot fend for themselves (if they could, why would such programs be necessary?) But this embrace quickly becomes a stranglehold. So long as minorities express their agenda in liberal ideology, in terms of grievances, and seek government remedies of those grievances, everything is fine. The moment minorities express their point of view in terms of individual achievement, their status as Americans first, or in terms of independence and self-reliance - there's a problem; the bond of paternalism is broken.
Intellectual freedom practiced by minorities breaks the bond of paternalism that the Democratic Party has used to keep them in tow. The public lynchings by liberals of minority conservatives are meant to ensure that the public views the independent or conservative minority figure with scorn, ex-communicating them from their ethnic community. This perhaps explains why liberals are convinced that Colin Powell, Condi Rice, and Albert Gonzalez are "token figures." In their heart of hearts, many liberals believe that minorities cannot be trusted with power.
Racism must be given No Quarter
White liberals have been brutal in their condemnation of conservative minorities. Considering the power that white liberals wield in the media, academia, and politics, it is daunting to think that if you dare to stand up for your principles, you will be subject to a uniquely harrowing campaign of character assassination. And much of society will excuse the bigotry of Democrats, because liberals have cultivated the perception that they are the champions of minorities. After all, "firefighters" don't burn books.
Racism, however, must be given no quarter. White liberal racists such as Pat Oliphant and Ted Rall must be assailed for their hateful, racial stereotyping. Democrat Harry Reid must be required to explain his singling out of Clarence Thomas for criticism and for questioning his intelligence. Conservative minorities are going to have an uphill battle and we should use any and every avenue to make our voices heard. The disturbing, unapologetic strain of racism in liberal circles is becoming more prevalent with every passing day. It will not abate without a fight.
The Minority Struggle for Intellectual Freedom means confronting the Racism of White Liberals
Despite the painful ordeal that left him physically and psychologically exhausted, Clarence Thomas's response to his liberal assailants illustrates the nobility of this cause:
"It pains me deeply -- more deeply than any of you can imagine -- to be perceived by so many members of my race as doing them harm -- I come here today not in anger or to anger. Nor have I come to defend my views, but rather to assert my right to think for myself, to refuse to have my ideas assigned to me as though I was an intellectual slave because I'm black. I come to state that I am a man, free to think for myself and do as I please."
Minorities like Clarence Thomas have suffered immensely so that we could choose our own path. The battle against racism is now against the bigoted propaganda of liberals like Pat Oliphant. There is also the larger struggle against the paternalistic view that liberals hold towards minorities. At the end of the day, we must hold accountable those who claim to represent diversity.
In short, it's time to reveal the "firefighters" for the arsonists they are.
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