Your column in today's Metro urges Democrats to be as bold as President Jimmy Carter in acknowledging the racial undertone of peoples' attitude towards Obama and his presidency. While I agree that racism is not exactly my idea of a party, I must respectfully disagree that Democrats have to stay on constant vigilance about racist remarks.
This may come as a surprise to you (it even comes as a surprise to me), but I think the Republicans are somewhat justified in their concerns about hypersensitivity to racism in the current administration. Undeniably, Obama will receive comments based on his race (and not his presidential abilities), more so than any other previous US president. Some people will behave unreasonably to him, and some of that behavior will be because he is not white, but not all of it will be about the color of his skin. There will be people who disagree with Obama purely because of his political opinions, not because of his genetics.
Did people think the shoe-throwing incident at Bush was because Bush was white? Then why should Wilson's comment about Obama being a "liar" be because Obama isn't white? Outbursts during House sessions at the President may be uncommon, but I think shoe-throwing at the President is probably even more uncommon. So the shoe-thrower wasn't a politician, neither was the woman who called Obama a Nazi during the Dartmouth town hall meeting. How come anyone mistake calling Obama a Nazi for racism...? Sorry, but that one is just a little too far reaching.
When there are instances of racism, by all means, squash it, please. As someone who's been ridiculed due to racial discrimination (yes, believe it or not...) since a very young age, I am wholeheartedly for cultural and ethnic education. But at the same time, we can't take every single piece of criticism so personally and assume it is due to race. I disagree with Obama on some of his current policies and priorities, but it's not because of what he looks like, it's simply because of the policies.
Let's not all become hypersensitive Democrats and be grown-ups now, please?
Kthxbai,
WhyWhy
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