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View Full Version : The Tea Party's racial resentment Op-Ed by Joan Walsh for Salon.com



poet
07-27-2011, 08:22 AM
http://www.salon.com/print.html?URL=/opinion/walsh/politics/2010/05/03/tea_party_racial_resentment

I've been getting a lot of attention from the conservative blogosphere in the last few weeks, and it's very flattering. I can't reply to it all, but I do want to take on the argument of my friend Cathy Young, the Reason magazine editor who used to write for Salon. Young took issue with my piece "The Tea Party's racial paranoia" in her last Real Clear Politics column, "Tea Partiers Racist? Not So Fast."

Examining data from a study of Tea Partiers' racial views conducted by University of Washington researchers, Young claims that in fact, the Tea Partiers' negative views of blacks aren't terribly different from the views of other whites. And where they are notably different -- especially around questions about whether black disadvantage is due to the legacy of slavery and discrimination, or blacks just not working as hard as other groups -- she writes that off to their conservatism, not racial bias. (The University of Washington professor who led the study, Christopher Parker, responds to Young here.)

She also mocks me for calling the Tea Partiers better off than other groups, based on a CBS News/New York Times poll finding that 12 percent of Tea Party members they polled made more than $250,000 a year. No big deal, Young claimed, since 11 percent of all Americans earn that much money. I wish I hung with Cathy Young; her friends must be doing very, very well: In fact, less than 2 percent of Americans earn more than $250,000 a year, according to Factcheck.org. The Tea Party movement is in part, as I said, yet another revolt of the haves against the have-nots.

Continue reading.
On one point, Young is right. It's true that white Tea Party skeptics are more likely than white Tea Party supporters to say black people are trustworthy (57 percent to 41 percent), Young acknowledges. But then she compares the two groups' opinions of white trustworthiness, and finds that while only 49 percent of Tea Partiers say whites are trustworthy, 72 percent of Tea Party skeptics do. So when you compare white Tea Party skeptics' views of black and white trustworthiness, you find that more (72 percent) think whites are trustworthy than think blacks are (57 percent). Young's right, that is a little weird, and depressing. But it's also noteworthy that Tea Partiers don't seem to have a lot of trust in black or white people.

To her credit, Young does acknowledge that on the indicators of what the University of Washington researchers call "racial resentment," white Tea Partiers differ notably, not only from white Tea Party skeptics, but from all whites in the study. Young puts forward an interesting defense: That's conservatism, not racism. I'm not sure why Young seems to want to tar all conservatives, not merely the Tea Partiers, with racially blinkered views. Here, let me defend my conservative brothers and sisters: I don't think it's mere conservatism to be much more inclined than other white people to say that the prejudice white ethnics faced is comparable to that faced by African-Americans; that the legacy of slavery and discrimination has little to do with persistent black disadvantage, and that such disadvantage would be erased if blacks worked as hard as other whites.

To the extent there is overlap between Tea Partiers' views and conservative views, well, that was my original point. Another name for the Tea Party might be ... the right-wing Republican base (although they aren't as likely to be evangelical Christians as other samples of conservative Republicans). Somehow, these opponents of big government spending never grabbed their protest signs when the Bush administration was spending down the Clinton budget surplus and building a huge deficit. Somehow these anti-tax populists are finally grabbing their party hats, and their guns, because the socialist President Obama ... um, well, he actually cut taxes for 95 percent of the American people, and tax rates are at their lowest in 60 years, according to the Brookings Institution. Go figure.The modern Republican Party owes its two generations of dominance to Richard Nixon's Southern Strategy. (Ronald Reagan actually pioneered out a California variation in his successful 1966 campaign for governor, playing on fears engendered by the Watts riots and rising anti-welfare animus). The Tea Party movement, which has mostly been embraced by mainstream Republican leaders who have no new ideas to improve the economy or make our nation safer, is a return to that tired old playbook. I don't think it can prevail again, but it can make politics uglier in the meantime. Conservatives of conscience would be better employed coming up with new ideas for their party than trying to defend the Tea Partiers' blinkered racial views.

Since I'm prohibited from posting in Racism and the GOP, I've introduced this OP, to counter and point out the obvious. - poet

Alias
07-27-2011, 12:14 PM
So what do you call black Americans who support the Tea Party?

poet
07-27-2011, 12:26 PM
So what do you call black Americans who support the Tea Party?

Deluded morons.
Why are you responding to my posts, when I had you on ignore?

Damocles
07-27-2011, 12:27 PM
You ignore him, you don't have the power to have him ignore you.

Damocles
07-27-2011, 12:27 PM
So what do you call black Americans who support the Tea Party?

Intelligent Patriots, what do you call them?

Alias
07-27-2011, 12:32 PM
Deluded morons.
Why are you responding to my posts, when I had you on ignore?

When you have someone on ignore, they can still read and reply to your posts, but you can't see their reply. Obviously, you do not really have me on ignore if you can read my post. Is there a grown up around to help you?

So a black American who supports the Tea Party is a "deluded moron". Can you explain to me why black Americans are "deluded morons" in your opinion?

Alias
07-27-2011, 12:33 PM
Intelligent Patriots, what do you call them?

I call them Patriotic Americans who look beyond race and politics, and look to the issues that affect all of us as Americans.

poet
07-27-2011, 12:44 PM
When you have someone on ignore, they can still read and reply to your posts, but you can't see their reply. Obviously, you do not really have me on ignore if you can read my post. Is there a grown up around to help you?

So a black American who supports the Tea Party is a "deluded moron". Can you explain to me why black Americans are "deluded morons" in your opinion?

I had you on ignore, and I saw that you responded, immediately , to my post, and I wondered why, and what would be the point.
Black Americans who support the Republican Party, and worse, The Tea Party are race traitors, in that, they have signed on with the enemy, excusing their "cloaked" and "overt racism and bigotry, for "crumbs from the table of Massa" (i.e. "favors", "perks", "political positions and clout", invitations to events, money, etc...). There is a reason that blacks , overwhelmingly, align themselves with the Democratic Party......they aren't the Republican and Tea Parties. But you already knew my position...so why are you asking me again?

poet
07-27-2011, 12:49 PM
I call them Patriotic Americans who look beyond race and politics, and look to the issues that affect all of us as Americans.

Really? Then how do you explain that most white racists, KKK'ers, John Birchers, anti-gay, and Christian fundies identify as Republican or right wing extremists (i.e. Tea Partiers)?
Is it any wonder Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Donald Trump, Glenn Beck, Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, and a whole slew of Republican legislators have had their awkward racial faux pas, and having to deny their racist tendencies or publicly apologize for making racially insensitive remarks?

Alias
07-27-2011, 12:55 PM
I had you on ignore, and I saw that you responded, immediately , to my post, and I wondered why, and what would be the point.
Black Americans who support the Republican Party, and worse, The Tea Party are race traitors, in that, they have signed on with the enemy, excusing their "cloaked" and "overt racism and bigotry, for "crumbs from the table of Massa" (i.e. "favors", "perks", "political positions and clout", invitations to events, money, etc...). There is a reason that blacks , overwhelmingly, align themselves with the Democratic Party......they aren't the Republican and Tea Parties. But you already knew my position...so why are you asking me again?

So you had me on ignore and then you took me off ignore to see what I said. Then you don't have me on ignore, do you!

So why would blacks join "race traitors"?

poet
07-27-2011, 01:02 PM
So you had me on ignore and then you took me off ignore to see what I said. Then you don't have me on ignore, do you!

So why would blacks join "race traitors"?

"Join"? Reading is fundamental. Is what you understood, what I wrote? You keep reminding me of why I have you on ignore. You're retarded and racist.

Alias
07-27-2011, 01:09 PM
"Join"? Reading is fundamental. Is what you understood, what I wrote? You keep reminding me of why I have you on ignore. You're retarded and racist.

You're the one who calls people in the Tea Party "race traitors". I'm asking you why would black Americans join a group of "race traitors". Does thinking give you a headache?

poet
07-27-2011, 01:14 PM
This message is hidden because Alias is on your ignore list.

Alias
07-27-2011, 01:18 PM
This message is hidden because Alias is on your ignore list.

Poor baby. Life is hard. Life is really hard when you're stupid.

Mr. T
07-27-2011, 06:36 PM
I cannot believe this garbage written by the self proclaimed Poet.

You are only trying to divide people in your failed attempt to paint tea party followers as haters and bigots. You need to look in a mirror Poet, your own insecurity of Americans moving towards a more conservative government is your nightmare.

Sarah Palin has a higher IQ than you do.

poet
07-27-2011, 07:26 PM
I cannot believe this garbage written by the self proclaimed Poet.

You are only trying to divide people in your failed attempt to paint tea party followers as haters and bigots. You need to look in a mirror Poet, your own insecurity of Americans moving towards a more conservative government is your nightmare.

Sarah Palin has a higher IQ than you do.

You just came on board, and before you get a layout of the land and the population, you launch an attack on me, not knowing who I am, or what I'm about. Ain't you about the stupidest person to venture onto this board? How can I put this so that you can understand? Fuck you. Tea partiers are racist by definition. I look in hte mirror, every morning, and sometimes throughout the day, and I like what I see. Conservative government? That's what got us into this mess. You don't know Sarah Palin, just like you don't know me. You don't even get to pass GO, as you are remanded, immediately, to ignore. Cretin. Mr. T???????????? They already got one.. You're an imposter.

poet
07-27-2011, 07:28 PM
I cannot believe this garbage written by the self proclaimed Poet.

You are only trying to divide people in your failed attempt to paint tea party followers as haters and bigots. You need to look in a mirror Poet, your own insecurity of Americans moving towards a more conservative government is your nightmare.

Sarah Palin has a higher IQ than you do.



You have to be white and conservative...no one, liberal or black could be that stupid or self-serving.
http://www.villagevoice.com/content/printVersion/2130170/

Mr. T
07-27-2011, 08:10 PM
You have to be white and conservative...no one, liberal or black could be that stupid or self-serving.
http://www.villagevoice.com/content/printVersion/2130170/

You have just shown how much of a racist that you are with your replies and your links.

We get it, you hate white people. Even with all of your words of self proclaimed wisdom and all of your catch phrases, everyone who can read into what you are saying is that you are avery lonely person who feels rejected by the world. So you take out your frustrations in your writings because you are so full of hate for the white man and all of those evil republicans. damn it must suck to be you.

USFREEDOM911
07-27-2011, 09:57 PM
You just came on board, and before you get a layout of the land and the population, you launch an attack on me, not knowing who I am, or what I'm about. Ain't you about the stupidest person to venture onto this board? How can I put this so that you can understand? Fuck you. Tea partiers are racist by definition. I look in hte mirror, every morning, and sometimes throughout the day, and I like what I see. Conservative government? That's what got us into this mess. You don't know Sarah Palin, just like you don't know me. You don't even get to pass GO, as you are remanded, immediately, to ignore. Cretin. Mr. T???????????? They already got one.. You're an imposter.

Since you've already shown that you're a racist, it's obvious that by race traitor you really meant "house niggers" or "oreos".
And there is no reason to believe that you're black; but there's lot of information that points to you being a poser.

Rune
07-28-2011, 05:51 AM
You have just shown how much of a racist that you are with your replies and your links.

We get it, you hate white people. Even with all of your words of self proclaimed wisdom and all of your catch phrases, everyone who can read into what you are saying is that you are avery lonely person who feels rejected by the world. So you take out your frustrations in your writings because you are so full of hate for the white man and all of those evil republicans. damn it must suck to be you.

Your stupidity idicates you are Dixie's troll. Either way, your posts are worth nothing.

Disillusioned
07-28-2011, 06:09 AM
Really? Then how do you explain that most white racists, KKK'ers, John Birchers, anti-gay, and Christian fundies identify as Republican or right wing extremists (i.e. Tea Partiers)?
Is it any wonder Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Donald Trump, Glenn Beck, Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, and a whole slew of Republican legislators have had their awkward racial faux pas, and having to deny their racist tendencies or publicly apologize for making racially insensitive remarks?

I think you are looking at this the wrong way, its not a case of the party itself being racist but the fact that racist organizations(or if one prefers, "narrow minded") see the tea party as an opponent of liberal groups, ie ones in favor of racial and gender pro hiring, gay rights, and religious moderation(I can't think of a better term)

So therefore they support it because it is a better option than the other ones, in the same way that socialist and communist groups ally even though their agenda's (without negative connotations) are not the same.
Oh and racism at this point is really in the eye of the beholder, the anti muslim/arab sentiments one hears these day's is much worse than most anti "African American" slurs, but I forgot, its only racist if we're talking about african americans

poet
07-28-2011, 06:28 AM
I think you are looking at this the wrong way, its not a case of the party itself being racist but the fact that racist organizations(or if one prefers, "narrow minded") see the tea party as an opponent of liberal groups, ie ones in favor of racial and gender pro hiring, gay rights, and religious moderation(I can't think of a better term)

So therefore they support it because it is a better option than the other ones, in the same way that socialist and communist groups ally even though their agenda's (without negative connotations) are not the same.
Oh and racism at this point is really in the eye of the beholder, the anti muslim/arab sentiments one hears these day's is much worse than most anti "African American" slurs, but I forgot, its only racist if we're talking about african americans

I was thinking your comments to be plausible and then you ended so badly. In America, when we talk about racism...it's usually "white on black" racism that is being referred to. But that's not to say that immigrants (legal and illegal) don't get their share of it. When you have whites "in charge" and occupying most positions of authority, power and clout, most mistreatment and the tangilble conclusions that result, come from them onto others. Outside of pedestrian crime, or the rare "hate crime", whites don't experience racism in any concrete way, because persons of color are not in charge, per se, and only represent a fraction of the country, and even less of the power structure. Although Hispanics are rapidly becoming the new majority, much to the chagrin of many.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1993/11/reverse-racism-or-how-the-pot-got-to-call-the-kettle-black/4638/

Disillusioned
07-28-2011, 06:39 AM
I was thinking your comments to be plausible and then you ended so badly. In America, when we talk about racism...it's usually "white on black" racism that is being referred to. But that's not to say that immigrants (legal and illegal) don't get their share of it. When you have whites "in charge" and occupying most positions of authority, power and clout, most mistreatment and the tangilble conclusions that result, come from them onto others. Outside of pedestrian crime, or the rare "hate crime", whites don't experience racism in any concrete way, because persons of color are not in charge, per se, and only represent a fraction of the country, and even less of the power structure. Although Hispanics are rapidly becoming the new majority, much to the chagrin of many.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1993/11/reverse-racism-or-how-the-pot-got-to-call-the-kettle-black/4638/

Didn't mean anti white racism, though the "cracker/whitey" remarks do get rather... old I meant more along the arab racism since there seems to be an aceptability(in certain circles) to the use of the term "sand N" when the term "N" would get somebody a broken jaw, the latino racism is also prevalent but we're still falling over ourselves to prevent anti-black racism.

The "whites in charge" argument while somewhat valid, is the case because (for the moment) white people are the majority, and it would make very little sense to put the minority in charge, I don't see Germany being run by turks or Morocan elections being decided by the french minority? It would be nice to have an amalgamation in charge, but really, I don't see people being able to get along that well.

poet
07-28-2011, 07:12 AM
Didn't mean anti white racism, though the "cracker/whitey" remarks do get rather... old I meant more along the arab racism since there seems to be an aceptability(in certain circles) to the use of the term "sand N" when the term "N" would get somebody a broken jaw, the latino racism is also prevalent but we're still falling over ourselves to prevent anti-black racism.

The "whites in charge" argument while somewhat valid, is the case because (for the moment) white people are the majority, and it would make very little sense to put the minority in charge, I don't see Germany being run by turks or Morocan elections being decided by the french minority? It would be nice to have an amalgamation in charge, but really, I don't see people being able to get along that well.

Look, I wouldn't advise your typical angry white man, approaching a band of arabs and letting loose with "you sand n-words"...a broken jaw would be preferrable to death.
Namecalling aside, what is tragic and unbelievable, is that the Republicans(and by proxy, the "Baggers" ) are so hellbent on reacquiring power and maintaining it, that they would stoop to "dirty tricks" like voter supression (requiring jumping through hoops and having picture ID's) in most states, and Jim DeMint's blatant cuckolding an inarticulate, numbnuts black and financing his bid as a Democratic opponent for an easy win. Even Rand Paul's attempt to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as unconstitutional, reveals that there is nothing too low for them.

DamnYankee
07-28-2011, 07:32 AM
I had you on ignore, and I saw that you responded, immediately , to my post, and I wondered why, and what would be the point.
Black Americans who support the Republican Party, and worse, The Tea Party are race traitors, in that, they have signed on with the enemy, excusing their "cloaked" and "overt racism and bigotry, for "crumbs from the table of Massa" (i.e. "favors", "perks", "political positions and clout", invitations to events, money, etc...). There is a reason that blacks , overwhelmingly, align themselves with the Democratic Party......they aren't the Republican and Tea Parties. But you already knew my position...so why are you asking me again?

The historical ignorance of this poster is truly stunning. The Democrat Party supported slavery, segregation, spawned the KKK, and fought the Republican Party on civil rights and suffrage. The current Democrat Party policy is to exchange hand-outs in return for loyalty. This idiot has it exactly opposite.

Mr. T
07-28-2011, 09:35 AM
The fear that liberals want people to believe is that the Tea Party and Republicans are building giant ovens to cook you with.

In reality they see that their days of raping the taxpayers for all of their free handouts are coming to a end.

poet
07-28-2011, 09:50 AM
This message is hidden because Mr. T is on your ignore list.

Alias
07-28-2011, 09:57 AM
I was thinking your comments to be plausible and then you ended so badly. In America, when we talk about racism...it's usually "white on black" racism that is being referred to. But that's not to say that immigrants (legal and illegal) don't get their share of it. When you have whites "in charge" and occupying most positions of authority, power and clout, most mistreatment and the tangilble conclusions that result, come from them onto others. Outside of pedestrian crime, or the rare "hate crime", whites don't experience racism in any concrete way, because persons of color are not in charge, per se, and only represent a fraction of the country, and even less of the power structure. Although Hispanics are rapidly becoming the new majority, much to the chagrin of many.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1993/11/reverse-racism-or-how-the-pot-got-to-call-the-kettle-black/4638/

Your entire premise is a lie and I'll tell you why. America elected a black President. Now you tell me how a bunch of racists in a racist nation can do that. Go for it.

poet
07-28-2011, 09:59 AM
This message is hidden because Alias is on your ignore list.

Alias
07-28-2011, 10:02 AM
You just came on board, and before you get a layout of the land and the population, you launch an attack on me, not knowing who I am, or what I'm about. Ain't you about the stupidest person to venture onto this board? How can I put this so that you can understand? Fuck you. Tea partiers are racist by definition. I look in hte mirror, every morning, and sometimes throughout the day, and I like what I see. Conservative government? That's what got us into this mess. You don't know Sarah Palin, just like you don't know me. You don't even get to pass GO, as you are remanded, immediately, to ignore. Cretin. Mr. T???????????? They already got one.. You're an imposter.

You're the one who brought up race in your initial post on this forum in your greeting. You made a point of telling all of us you are a black gay male. What in the wide wide world of sports does that have to do with anything? Are you looking for a date?

You come across as highly confused, bitter, and very angry. I think you should spend less time here and get a real education.

Rune
07-28-2011, 10:22 AM
The fear that liberals want people to believe is that the Tea Party and Republicans are building giant ovens to cook you with.

In reality they see that their days of raping the taxpayers for all of their free handouts are coming to a end.

You have brought new meaning to the word conservsatard. Do you actualy breath un-asisted?

Alias
07-28-2011, 10:50 AM
You have brought new meaning to the word conservsatard. Do you actualy breath un-asisted?

The word is "breathe". Here is an example. "You've run out of breath". "You need to breathe deeply". And "un-asisted" is spelled "unassisted". No hypen and two "s" after the "a". Not bad for a "conservatard", huh!

DamnYankee
07-28-2011, 11:19 AM
This message is hidden because Alias is on your ignore list. Alias: consider this a win for you. :good4u:

DamnYankee
07-28-2011, 11:28 AM
This message is hidden because Mr. T is on your ignore list. Mr. T with a mere 26 posts is declared the winner!:good4u:

Mr. T
07-28-2011, 11:44 AM
Mr. T with a mere 26 posts is declared the winner!:good4u:

We wouldn't want him to double up on the zanax would we.:awesome:

DamnYankee
07-28-2011, 12:32 PM
We wouldn't want him to double up on the zanax would we.:awesome: He's more likely to double-up on the Viagra.

Rune
07-28-2011, 06:21 PM
The word is "breathe". Here is an example. "You've run out of breath". "You need to breathe deeply". And "un-asisted" is spelled "unassisted". No hypen and two "s" after the "a". Not bad for a "conservatard", huh!

Ah, a spelling AND grammar NAZI. At least you are good for something.

DamnYankee
07-28-2011, 06:59 PM
Ah, a spelling AND grammar NAZI. At least you are good for something. Like you'd bother to learn.