Reply #32: First - your premise is wrong - I have never claimed to think that Biden's comments are racist [View All]

[beaconess]

and I defy you to find anything I said otherwise.

However, claiming that anyone pointing out racial insensitivity or other problem has accused someone of being racist is a convenient and common tactic to shut down discussion of this very important issue.

As I've repeatedly said (obviously to no effect, since I'm still regularly being accused of doing otherwise) I don't think that Biden is a racist. I believe that he, like most Americans of all races, has prejudices and biases. These problems, while not as virulent as outright racism, cause real problems in our society and, because they tend to be masked and people are uncomfortable talking about them, they fester and perpetuate.

Biden's comment was not racist. But it did reveal a mindset that is very common among many white Americans - that somehow a black person is exceptional if they possess the same attributes that white people are just assumed to have. Referring to a black person - especially one with Obama's credentials and background - as "articulate" is insulting, not only to the person being so-described, but also to other blacks. You may have noticed in these threads how many blacks have weighed in to explain how tired we are of being referred to as "articulate," simply because we can string sentences together well. It is common knowledge in our community that educated blacks are frequently referred to this way, as if it comes as a surprise.

And, as for your concern that white people hearing us "complain about a vague comment" leading to them to conclude that there is "nothing more important to talk about," I will just point out that white people who are so quick to dismiss the very real concerns of black Americans are probably not interested in the "more important" topics anyway. It really is pretty annoying to have white folk - especially supposedly "progressive" whites on DU and elsewhere - preach about inclusveness, etc., but the minute blacks have the gall to raise an issue that makes them uncomfortable, we're told that it is OUR fault that white people aren't willing to do more than pay lip service to the problem.

And finally, I do not need any lectures from you about how I should spend my time and what is and is not important in the fight for civil rights and full equal opportunity for African Americans. I have devoted my life to this cause and have more than paid my dues. And it's ridiculous to tell me that I should prefer to be called "articulate" than to be harassed by the police, as if this is an either/or situation. I would like not to be harassed by the police AND I would like not to be insulted by well-meaning but ignorant white people who still believe that somehow I should be grateful to them for telling me how smart I am and insist I shouldn't be unhappy about it since, at least I haven't been lynched.

I suggest that whites who are truly interested in the "more important" things take the time to listen to what black folk have to say about issues such as these instead of trying to dictate to us what is and is not worth their time to address. You may find that some matters you are so eager to dismiss are really important, after all.