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.
___________________________________________________________________________
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/
Showing posts with label hate speech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hate speech. Show all posts
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Mr. President, End The Hate Speech!
A brief synopsis of the Obama Era:
Point: Washington is spending too much money.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
Point: We are dubious of the efficiency of the Federal Government, especially in matters of health care.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
Point: We don't want to pay our neighbor's mortgage.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
Point: We want to secure the borders.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
And on and on and on. The universal rebuttal. No need to bog down in facts and content and substance. Issues? Rhymes with tissues. Wipe your nose on them. And it continues to get worse. Now the president's attack dogs have launched a pre-emptive strike on tea party types. No verbiage necessary for conviction. Prove your innocence!
Calling someone a racist who is not a racist is hate speech. Arguably, it is the worst form of hate speech. We as a society reject racism, especially institutionalized racism. To pin that label and the accompanying stigma on anyone who is not guilty of racism is an act of extreme hate.
On a personal level, the racist label hurts. A lot of white families have adopted children of other races. Interracial dating is common and interracial marriage is not unusual. Most white people have friends of other races. To be labled a racist is to have a wedge driven between the victim and his family and friends and acquaintances.
False accusations should be severely stigmatized. Unfortunately, they are not. We have just grown accustomed to the noise. We accept that the race-baiters are just part of the din and the clamor and the foley. Hey ya live next to a flippin airport. Ya just gotta get used to the jets flyin over.
You, Mr. President, can stop the hate speech. No American figure in the electronic age has had the cozy relationship with the press that you have enjoyed. They are willing to spin a story any way you please. If you renounce hate speech, Mr. President, they will certainly take notice.
Your failure to renounce hate speech tarnishes your reputation, Mr. President. What does this say about your leadership skills? What does this say about your commitment to national unity? What does it say about the character of a man who does nothing to stop unfounded personal attacks against his political rivals when it is well within his capacity to stop the personal attacks? You have the power of the bully pulpit to set the tenor and tone of public discourse, Mr. President. So far you have cravenly promoted hate speech by proxy.
Mr. President, end the hate speech!
Point: Washington is spending too much money.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
Point: We are dubious of the efficiency of the Federal Government, especially in matters of health care.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
Point: We don't want to pay our neighbor's mortgage.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
Point: We want to secure the borders.
Counterpoint: You are a racist!
And on and on and on. The universal rebuttal. No need to bog down in facts and content and substance. Issues? Rhymes with tissues. Wipe your nose on them. And it continues to get worse. Now the president's attack dogs have launched a pre-emptive strike on tea party types. No verbiage necessary for conviction. Prove your innocence!
Calling someone a racist who is not a racist is hate speech. Arguably, it is the worst form of hate speech. We as a society reject racism, especially institutionalized racism. To pin that label and the accompanying stigma on anyone who is not guilty of racism is an act of extreme hate.
On a personal level, the racist label hurts. A lot of white families have adopted children of other races. Interracial dating is common and interracial marriage is not unusual. Most white people have friends of other races. To be labled a racist is to have a wedge driven between the victim and his family and friends and acquaintances.
False accusations should be severely stigmatized. Unfortunately, they are not. We have just grown accustomed to the noise. We accept that the race-baiters are just part of the din and the clamor and the foley. Hey ya live next to a flippin airport. Ya just gotta get used to the jets flyin over.
You, Mr. President, can stop the hate speech. No American figure in the electronic age has had the cozy relationship with the press that you have enjoyed. They are willing to spin a story any way you please. If you renounce hate speech, Mr. President, they will certainly take notice.
Your failure to renounce hate speech tarnishes your reputation, Mr. President. What does this say about your leadership skills? What does this say about your commitment to national unity? What does it say about the character of a man who does nothing to stop unfounded personal attacks against his political rivals when it is well within his capacity to stop the personal attacks? You have the power of the bully pulpit to set the tenor and tone of public discourse, Mr. President. So far you have cravenly promoted hate speech by proxy.
Mr. President, end the hate speech!
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