What's behind the Tea Party's ire?
By Eugene Robinson
WashPost
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The first African American president takes office, and almost immediately we see the birth of a big, passionate national movement - overwhelmingly white and lavishly funded - that tries its best to delegitimize that president, seeks to thwart his every initiative, and manages to bring the discredited and moribund opposition party roaring back to life. Coincidence?
Not a chance. But also not that simple.
First, I'll state the obvious: It's not racist to criticize President Obama, it's not racist to have conservative views, and it's not racist to join the Tea Party. But there's something about the nature and tone of the most vitriolic attacks on the president that I believe is distinctive - and difficult to explain without asking whether race is playing a role.
One thing that struck me from the beginning about the Tea Party rhetoric is the idea of reclaiming something that has been taken away.
(More here.)
WashPost
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The first African American president takes office, and almost immediately we see the birth of a big, passionate national movement - overwhelmingly white and lavishly funded - that tries its best to delegitimize that president, seeks to thwart his every initiative, and manages to bring the discredited and moribund opposition party roaring back to life. Coincidence?
Not a chance. But also not that simple.
First, I'll state the obvious: It's not racist to criticize President Obama, it's not racist to have conservative views, and it's not racist to join the Tea Party. But there's something about the nature and tone of the most vitriolic attacks on the president that I believe is distinctive - and difficult to explain without asking whether race is playing a role.
One thing that struck me from the beginning about the Tea Party rhetoric is the idea of reclaiming something that has been taken away.
(More here.)
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1 Comments:
I know a number of conservatives and have never heard the topic of race mentioned as having anything to do with the way conservatives feel about Obama. It is not Obama the person (or his race) that generates the ire, it is his statist and progressive policies.
Selfishly, I hope liberals continue to blame race (or Bush), it worked well this election...
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