George Bush and America's dirty (not so) little secret

[DancingBear]

I don't want to hear it, and you probably don't either, but here it is.

Federally sanctioned (wink, wink, nod, nod) racism is getting ready to take center stage once again, and we have George Bush and family to thank for it.

Listen to these words: "those people", "not our kind", "looters", "ungrateful", "why didn't THEY all just leave", “welfare”, etc. Sound familiar? To those of us of a certain age, they surely do, because we have heard them all before.

They are code words - nothing more. They are used (ostensibly) to define one class from another, but we all know that they hold an even more sinister meaning. In George W. Bush America they mean black, and anyone who believes otherwise is living in Candyland.

The right is going to place blame, and they will place it squarely NOT on the bastard who caused the deaths, but on the ones who are dying or dead. Anyone remember the race riots of the 60's? Those “people” were “ungrateful”, living large like they were with free cigarettes and welfare-purchased color TV’s while the rest of working America had to suffer in neighborhoods that black folks didn’t have a fucking prayer of ever buying into. As we stepped on their throats we admonished them for not breathing. Remember that logic?

Well, it’s back, sanctioned by a coward in the White House who conveniently forgot that the poor (read: black) are Americans too. I don’t know how they will equate people dying from neglect as their own fault, but they will. They will surely put their own life experience into the equation, and don’t be surprised when you meet people who actually BELIEVE the dead in New Orleans could have easily gotten away. I mean, why didn’t they just use the SUV –they could have saved 6 or 7! Stupid people. Their own fault. Not our kind.

See how easy??

The bigots in America now have carte blanche to spread the hate. If you’re too young to remember, pay close attention to the words, and watch the actions. Bigots always need a scapegoat, and they’ll take 2 “looters” over 20,000 dead any day of the week, if the looters pass the color test.

Class equals race. Always has – always will. The Republican strategy has always been to ignore the poor (read: black) and turn the middle class against them, but now they’ve decide that they can literally beat them to death. You may not believe it – yet - but if I were you I’d learn how to box, 'cause that first punch in the face is gonna hurt like hell if you don't know its coming.

[porphyrian]

1. Meet the new boss...

America has a five minute attention span. We've already forgotten what you just said.

[AspenRose]

2. Sad but true

I was born in 1968. I never thought I'd have to relive the times some of my family members endured. And I fear for my son.

What's worse, leadership is in a vacuum. The Neocons have successfully turned the country's clock back 40-50 years.

[Cassandra]

3. You forgot some

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2070393

"Jessy Jackson and Al Sharpton are black for God's sake. they lie, everyone knows all blacks lie when they have to. You can't believe them, so do you homework on this one guys."

This is from a shithead wingnut troll on Huffington Post.

[tulsakatz]

4. I think this will develop in a new civil rights movement

right now the victims are still in shock and trying to recover. But once they get back on their feet, I think this has the potential of being something big!

Especially if there's no accountability over the massive screw up that is FEMA!!!

Brown shouldn't only be fired, he should be shot!!!

[Just Me]

15. I think we are WAY overdue for an economic justice movement.

Just MO.

[Ravenseye]

5. I thought you were going to mention our secret black baby

...Liberia!

...get it?....get....it...?

*taps microphone*

Is this thing on?

Anyway in all seriousnes, you're spot on. Especially about blaming the poor.

[Armstead]

6. One disagreement -- Class equals Class too

I agree with much of what you say. However, I think it is too much of a generalization to say that class equals race. It is a distraction to mix two seperate issues.

Having lived and been conscious in the 1960's, you are absolutely correct about the racism that was all-pervasive back then. And it has certainly not gone away. It is a core reason that poverty is so pervasive among minorities today.

However, I think casting it that way misses an equally important point. Class differences are not limited to race or racism. There are plenty of whites who are just as trapped in poverty, and just as victimized by being born into a certain class.

And, more important, is the growing class divide that has occurred over the past 30 years that is NOT related to race. Many people who once would have been middle and working class of all races are being pushed down into a new underclass.

Racism obviously has to be acknowledged and dealt with on its own terms. But putting economic and class issues solely in those terms only serves as a distraction and adds a needless wedge to the people of all races who need to form a common front to combat the trend towards wider economic and class gaps.

[elehhhhna]

7. Framing it as DEM = Welfare loving lazyass crimilnally-inclined breeders

[sandnsea]

8. Almost correct

The Republican strategy has been to turn the white poor against the black poor. The middle class is already a settled deal and evident in the denial that this has anything to do with race. Poor folks though, if white poor folks ever figure out they've got more in common with blacks than rich white folks, then the elite are in trouble. Best to keep using those code words while denying the situation in NO had anything to do with anything but elitist Democrats.

[DancingBear]

10. Agreed - although the strategy is also to define white poor = middle class

By defining someone as "middle class" it then frees them up (in a bizarre way) to be able to their utilize their own class (read: black) bias in some sort of (in their minds) bizarre acceptable fashion.

[Beaver Tail]

9. Well I guess I live in candy land

If Bush is racists explain this

Colon Powell Condoleezza Rice

This is about who has money and who does not. Yes Black people are predominantly poorer that white people but women are predominantly poorer than men so is the Bush administration sexist?

If so then explain this

National Security Adviser: Condoleezza Rice
Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy: Margaret La Montagne
Assistant to the President: Mary Matalin
Counselor to the President: Karen P. Hughes
Director of Communications: Margaret D. Tutwiler

Bush has selected two African Americans, two Asian Americans, four women, and one Cuban American to serve as his staff.

Again, it is about who is rich and who is poor. Keep in mind the middle class under Bush will become poor while the rich get richer. It is not about race, it is about who has money.

Want to point a finger when it comes to racism (as well as sexism)? Blame Corporate America.

Edit Here

And to continue with this Thesis

Because Corporate America basically controls who gets rich and who does not it reflects directly who Bush supports and who he does not.

[Deja Q]

11. Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

[Just Me]

12. True. What you say is true. We are approaching a feudal system,...

,...and, although I cannot deny that Blacks AND women make up the bulk of it, we are ALL subjected to it.

[porphyrian]

13. "Bush has selected two African Americans, two Asian Americans,..."

He hasn't done this because of his racial tolerance, he's done this for political reasons. As I've said in other threads, especially when dealing with Southern politics, there is no way to separate racism and classism, nor is there a way to separate the systemic -isms from the personal in those in positions of power within the system.

[AspenRose]

16. Yep...it's tokenism

...so people in the GOP can point and say, "see, we're not racist. How can we be racist? Look at who we've appointed."

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[grrl62]

49. bingo

and by using tokenism they are able to set up the spin for "the dems are racist" when any dems oppose an appointment of one of these tokens.

hell it's the same w/ gays/lesbians - they can parade their corrupt token and if any dems oppose "dems hate gays."

:boring:

it's the SAME freakin' thing... every single time.. and people still fall for it. and it's getting really old.. hell it was old the first time.

[Beaver Tail]

23. Then explain this

Major Tax cuts to the Rich and Corporations but no such assistance to the middle class or poor? THe Middle class is mostly WHITE and are having a harder time of it because of Bush.

If you are not rich than as far as Bush is concerned you are not worth his time. Remember “Some people call you the Elite, I call you my base”.

[porphyrian]

27. Maybe I wasn't clear, because you don't seem to understand...

...what I'm saying. Racism and classism are both qualities of bush and his administration. In general, but particularly in the South, these two things have grown together and have become systemic. This is obvious to people in the South who can plainly see the continuing existance of the Good Ol' Boy Network. While people within the system are not necessarily racist or classist themselves, the system is. However, anyone who holds a position of power within that system has to be aware of its racism and classism, so if they don't work against these properties, they promote them. Thus, bush is a racist as well as a classist. That's what I'm saying.

[Beaver Tail]

47. I do understand that

and I certainly so see that, you are absolutely correct but if all the poor people were white would the Bush administration treat them any better? I doubt it.

I certainly don’t claim racism is non existent but the trust he Bush put in Powell and Rice puts a wrench in that. If he wanted token roles in the administration why such high profile positions?

Most certainly in the South if you are Black you are much more likely to be poor, there is a definite social failing here but you cant sweep a broad brush across the whole US administration. I certainly don’t like them and I am sure some of them ARE racists.

[EOTE]

18. It's called a facade.

It's much easier to enact racist policies if you can hide behind: "Hey look, I got minorities in my cabinet!" I'm not saying that bush is definitely racist, but his policies definitely are.

[porphyrian]

20. If he's in a position of power within the system...

...he has to know the system is racist. By perpetuating and even expanding the racist system, he is an active racist. Systemic racism can be unconsciously inflicted by ordinary members of the system, as they can live out their lives unaware of all the qualities of the system. People in positions of power must be aware of a system in order to manipulate it to their advantage, thus they consciously wield whatever -isms can be applied to that system.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

43. If you don't understand why Bush chose Rice and Powell to be part....

...of his team, then I would argue that you may not fully understand the willingness of the NeoCon Junta to do anything to camouflage their true interests.

Powell and Rice were chosen because of their willingness to put all other interests ahead of the interests of their own race. Powell had already proven his willingness as an officer in the predominantly white male U. S. Army officer corps of the late 1950s - early 1960s, while Rice made her way in the predominantly white male oil industry.

As far as Matalin and Hughes are concerned, they have been long-time conservative right-wing GOP operatives. IMHO, they are somewhere along the rightwing political spectrum with Lee Atwater and Karl Rove.

The Cuban-American should be no surprise because of the very solid connections between Poppy Bush and the anti-Castro Cuban community that dates back to the mid-1950s.

I don't know enough about the others to make a comment.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. I've been saying this long and loud

Racism is ABSOLUTELY on the upswing in our country. Code words are ABSOLUTELY in use. And they ABSOLUTELY have meaning beyond their strict definition. And those meanings are ABSOLUTELY understood by the intended audience.

Anyone who uses these words easily in conversation is a racist in my view. Maybe not a white sheet wearing racist, but a racist none the less.

[AspenRose]

This administration has emboldened racists

to come out and say the most vile, defiant, offensive stuff. And THEN have the nerve to say "what, it's free speech."

It may be free speech, but actions have consequences.

[pointblank]

17. Class equals race???? I call MAJOR BULLSHIT!!

Why is then that my mother has Multiple Sclerosis, my father holds two jobs...yet they cant seem to afford to handicap-friendly their house for my mother who has recently lost her ability to walk...The MS society has dragged its feet and the situation is bad.

My father applied for aid through the govt, but was denied aid...because he was NOT a minority and because he made TOO much money. (around $55,000 a year with my mothers $900 a month social security disability check) ...BTW, they also partly support my brother who is 24 years old and has dealt with severe mental illness for around ten years now and my 17 year old brother who is lazier than Bush when a hurricane hits....before you try to tell me that 55 grand is a lot of money.

So BS, there are PLENTY of whites who have it rough...dont forget it.

[Beaver Tail]

21. There is also the case of Disabled Vets as well

As well as the Old and the Sick (in general) who are getting the short end of the stick as well, and they are not all black but still getting treated just as shitty.

If you have no money you are discriminated against...period.

[DancingBear]

22. And who here is saying otherwise?

I suggest you re-read the post - the point being made is that racism is being wrapped in sugar and sold as health food.

The poor have always been discriminated against - but there are some posters on this thread who are being a bit too, shall we say, strident in propping up straw men.

[pointblank]

26. I am sure that you meant no harm..

I get emotional about the subject sometimes...for that I apologize


But you did make the statement that 'Class equals race"

I take that as an absolute.

Any third party want to step in here and figure this one?

[Lerkfish]

33. I think its possible to be both racist and classist.

they are NOT mutually exclusive.
Just like hiring a black woman was considered a "twofer" because two "minorities" were being represented (this was the style in the late seventies)

I think the Bushes (and actually current republican hierarchy) are classist AND racist, and if the person is both poor AND colored, then they are MORE of a target, but one half or the other can still be a target, and conversely, one half or the other can be tolerated for political gain.

[DancingBear]

35. By jove, I think you've got it!

Lerkfish,

:yourock:

[Beaver Tail]

28. And My point is

Terms like "those people", "not our kind", "looters", "ungrateful", “welfare” etc has been used against the poor white as well. It has also been used against the middle class (mostly white) by the Rich. I have seen it 1st hand and have been subjected to it, I was poor and white and subjected to the same discrimination so don't give me the "straw man" bullshit, I have been through this discrimination personally.

[DancingBear]

34. Sorry - I can't buy that

The above mentioned terms are almost EXCLUSIVELY "granted" to black citizens of this country.

If you're actually going to try and compare derogatory terms on a black vs. white basis then try this test.

Find 10 Caucasian people on the street. Ask them what particular group comes to mind when they hear the term "not our kind." Or "welfare." Or "those people."

You already know the answer.

If you are trying to say that these terms can and have been used against others I will agree. If you are trying to tell me that these terms do not have a PRIMARY target audience in mind then you won't win that argument.

If that is indeed what you're trying to do here.

[Beaver Tail]

46. Now I feel like I have just been discriminated against

Beacuse I am white

Do I know how it “feels to be black”? Maybe I do maybe I don’t. I am not homosexual but I was treated with the bigotry and ignorance of the intolerant people because of label that I was.

I understand how it is to be stereotyped and ridiculed so don’t isolate me from the ignorant people who have no compassion of their fellow human being. I understand all too well the pain of discrimination because of people’s whims and misconceptions and our right bigotry.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

41. I would argue that since you're white, you will NEVER fully understand....

...what blacks have gone through in this country.

Given a choice of saving two drowning men, one white and one black, the racist will choose to save the white man EVERY time. The black man will either be own his own, or the racist will shove him further underwater.

By the way, as a white man, I do understand your comments from a class warfare basis. My grandfather on one side of the family was a coal miner, and my other grandfather worked for the YMCA, both in West Virginia.

[shanti]

38. you're right - BUT

only whites can claim white privilege (and they do), and it matters not what class you're from.

[info being]

19. Welcome to Nazi America

IF they let those people die because of their skin color and economic condition, he is indeed the equivalent of Hitler.

[BootinUp]

25. Bottom line

KKKRove and the Bush family and the rest of the cabal, have no problem appealing to the baser instincts from our dark past. And they will try anything to stay in power.

[BlueJac]

29. A Cryin' Shame

[Gregorian]

30. So true. However, there is no such thing as "race".

It's a fake word. Same genes, same dna, same everything. Lizards are another race. This thing called "race" is as much a lie as anything the is emmitted from the opening of a Republican. Not that this is confined to Republicans. The term "race" is used only to categorize. Fit into a position or slot. It's as phoney as the last election. People need to remember this. Show us one way in which someone who is allegedly of different race. We all have mellanin. Just a little more in some than others. That does not meet the requirement to put an animal in another category of specie.
We are living in the dark ages still. Our faithless leader wants to keep us there, along with a lot of other hateful people. Can we grow up now?

[Catfight]

31. What amazes me is how black culture turns their backs on gay

culture. When will people open their eyes and see, all discrimination, all bigotry, all hate is evil. The design of the human race is to be HUMAN first.

Dionne Farris sings it best:

Before I am black
Before I am woman
Before I am short
Before I am young
Before I am African
I am Human
Because I am black
Because I am woman
Because I am short
Because I am young
Because I am African
I am Human

[Lerkfish]

32. yup, pretty familiar to this 46-yr old.

I've been saying it since Bush got elected, but Rosemary Carter correctly nailed it when Reagan was elected:

she said that the Reagans have made us comfortable again with our prejudices.

[HoosierClarkie]

36. I really think the only hope

we have right now is the MSM. I hope they never forget what they saw and how this administration failed us. We have to keep on them.

[shanti]

37. kick

:kick: because the u.s. IS the most racist country in the world. it's just that it's so....hidden. it's times like this that the veil is torn away for the world to see our ugliness. * and his gang are frantically attempting to cover back up again, but imo, it's way way too late for that.

[meganmonkey]

39. "why didn't THEY all just leave", - I have heard that several times

by neighbors and acquaintances.

So I ask "Who is 'they'? The elderly with no transportation, or the sick people in hospitals?"

They say "No, of course not"

So I ask "The people with no cars, without any means to leave the city since the buses and trains stopped running soon after they declared a mandatory evacuation?"

They start to look confused, and I look at them like "Yeah, motherfucker, I know exactly what you mean by 'they'. And that is NOT acceptable around me". But I don't say it out loud.

:(

[Media_Lies_Daily]

40. One of the code words currently in use is "underprivileged". Those....

...too young to have lived through the days of segregation and desegragation have no real idea how discriminatory words like that can be.

[DancingBear]

42. I'm 52 - I remember n/t

[Media_Lies_Daily]

44. Yep...54 here.

[Jara sang]

45. Certain right wingers I know have taken a step further.

accusing the blacks and their leadership of being racists. America is a diseased nation, right wing conservatism is a cancer.

[gollygee]

48. When my mom found out displaced families were coming up here to Michigan

she said, "We can't afford that many more welfare cases!"