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I'm going to rant a little bit. I made a determination early on that I wasn't going to use this forum to complain or belly ache about perceived injustices in the world. Instead, my goal is to inform and offer what I hope to be a unique perspective on things. Today, however, I'm going to break my own rule.
I am absolutely stunned and disgusted by the lack of outrage surrounding "the slap heard round the world". For those who are unaware what I am talking about, last Saturday in a debate between Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-fixin' to lose) and Republican challenger Ryan Frazier, Perlmutter slapped Frazier's hand away while Frazier was making a point. In fairness, Perlmutter immediately apologized. He should have, his action was immature and uncalled for. That apology isn't enough for me.
This might be uncomfortable for some people, but if the situation had been reversed and Frazier had slapped Perlmutter there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth throughout the media and blogosphere. Why? Because Frazier is black, and he would be held to a different standard. Now, for those of you who think I'm being overly racially sensitive, know that I am speaking from experience.
As the son of a black father and a white mother - and as someone who has run for office - I know of what I speak. What is seen as confidence and intelligence in white candidates is seen as arrogance in black candidates. What is seen as righteous indignation in white candidates is seen as "traits" of the angry black man in black candidates. The point is black candidates are held to a different standard and they know it. Add in the fact that Frazier is a Republican, and all hell would have broken lose if the shoe was on the other foot - which brings me to my next point.
If Perlmutter was a Republican slapping away the hand of a Black Democrat - the media swoon would have been felt from Wasilla to Wabash. I can just see Geraldo Rivera holding a candlelight vigil in front of the home of the perceived victim. Keith Olbermann would name Perlmutter his "Worst Person in the World" and Joy Behar and Whoopie Goldberg would have been near tears on The View as they discussed the mistreatment of this brave, unassuming, Black man. Alas, Frazier is a Republican so he gets none of the benefits of mainstream media victim hood.
Your "rant" is well spoken and all too true. Nowhere is it more apparent than when a Black person declares they are a Republican.
ReplyDeleteI thought the idea of being equal and free allowed everyone to be who they wished to be.
I have seen now that it isn't true. Blacks are expected to be Democrats and just sit back on Uncle Sam's Plantation and take what they are given, just don't try to advance yourself.
The double standard is there and it is pathetic to see.
You have dared to go where everyone is afraid to go. I agree there is a double standard that is pretty much set by the left, it is a set that is impossible to live by. YET, an apology is what most on left use to get themselves off the hook when comes to their own sins, whatever those be.
ReplyDeleteWhile I can NOT say that I know what it feels like to be black in America. I can say that I am of Mexican descent, born to a white mother, and raised by a black stepfather. This I can say I know for a fact, racism is an ugly thing that comes from ALL races, contrary to what Democrats would like for everyone to believe.
I agree that had a white Republican done the same to a black Democrat, it would have went national, viral, and even been talked about by those that think their opinions matter.
Just to add my 2 cents to the rant, what really ticks me off the most is the condescending treatment given to black Republicans by Democrats, as though they have given up a birth right, or lost their minds to abandon the Democratic Plantation of slavery.
It takes a pair to enter the arena of politics. I just want to say, I have repeated what a sixth grade black teacher taught me, to my own daughters. When you are competing against whites, you can't be just as good, you have got to be able to be the best, to be better, without a doubt, to be considered for the same job.
To be elected as a Republican takes more than the "white guilt" that has managed to get us our first black President.
Some of us down here in Vancouver know you are the star that out shined all the other Congressional candidates. Take care, we love ya.