A Modest Proposal: Ask The President to End Hate Speech

Mr. President:

English has constraints. There are only so many liberties one can take with the queen's language. For instance, the word racism has specific definitions.

This is reference.com's definition of racism.

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

This is Merriam-Webster's definition of racism.

1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

We could pile on but you get the point. Racism is a word that has already been defined. Racism is not the act of disagreeing with Barack Obama. Racism is not the act of opposing the Obama Agenda. Racism is not the act of criticizing Barack Obama. Racism is not the act of ridiculing Barack Obama.

To display President Obama alongside images of Hitler and Mao might be in bad taste. It might be mean spirited. It might be a criticism too harsh. But by definition, it is not racism.

It is time the president started acting presidential. Mr. President, for too long you have allowed (or possibly instructed) your media proxies to counter every criticism, gentle or crude, large or small, with allegations of racism. We respectfully ask you to curb the hate speech of your minions.

You have a lot of influence with the news media, Mr. President. None of us have ever seen a person who so commanded their reverence and loyalty as have you, sir. From your bully pulpit you set the tenor and tone of public discourse. We implore you to ask the media fixtures who have been so faithful to you to cease and desist in their hate speech.

In summary, we ask that you make a public plea to denounce bogus charges of racism and to label those bogus charges exactly what they are: hate speech. You sir, can restore civil discourse to our great country. Nothing short of the unity of our country is at stake sir. Please Mr. President, do the right thing.


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If you agree with the open letter to the president and would like to see civility returned to public discourse, please cut and paste the above and forward it to http://www.whitehouse.gov/