What to talk about instead of talking about race

[babylonsister]

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/09/21/hutchinson_race/


What to talk about instead of talking about race

The media would rather debate whether right-wing Obama critics are racist than rebut their lies about his policies

Editor's note: This column originally appeared on the blog Dissenting Justice.

By Darren Hutchinson


Sept. 21, 2009 | I am a law professor who teaches constitutional law, civil rights, race and the law and other areas related to equality. I have spent nearly two decades researching and writing about race relations and public policy. With respect to the right-wing attacks on President Obama, however, I find the issue of race largely uninteresting.

snip//


What to talk about instead of race

For over a month, conservatives have advanced gross distortions regarding healthcare reform. They have described it as socialism, Nazism and totalitarianism, and they have argued that it would establish "death panels" to decide whether to "pull the plug on Grandma." They have portrayed healthcare reform as an effort to harm seniors -- even though Republican John McCain proposed the very same cuts to Medicare that Obama has proposed. They have also condemned "government-run" healthcare, while pretending to support Medicare and TRICARE; these two programs, however, are forms of government-run healthcare.

Moreover, many of Obama's opponents have blasted "big government," but they want the federal government to reform tort laws in every state and to veto a doctor and patient's decision regarding abortion. Many of them also supported the unnecessary war in Iraq and the increasingly unpopular war in Afghanistan. They also endorse governmental regulation of some of the most intimate human relations, such as sex among consenting adults.

Conservatives blame Obama for the financial sector and auto industry bailouts -- even though the Bush administration proposed both bailouts and ushered the legislation through Congress. Bush also sharply increased the rate of government spending -- while cutting taxes. That disastrous fiscal policy turned a surplus into a record deficit.

snip//

Conclusion

The issue of race has become the latest nonpolicy distraction for the media. Earlier, the media covered violence and mayhem at healthcare town hall discussions -- rather than the substance of reform. It then covered the conflicts between moderate and liberal Democrats (rather than the substance of reform). Now, it is exploring whether the opposition to Obama is racist (rather than the substance of reform).

Here's a thought: Analyze the substance of reform -- rather than the subjective emotions that shape its opposition. The media cannot tell us whether most of Obama's opponents are racist, but it can certainly unveil the hypocritical and deceitful nature of that opposition.

[Karenina]

1. . .

[kwassa]

2. I agree ....

with the slight caveat that race issue, in relation to the tea-baggers, has been pretty thoroughly discussed right now. It is in the public consciousness to see the tea-baggers through this lens, now and in the future. They will deny their racism forever, but most will see it.

I would like to see more straight counter-attack on the Republican memes, attacking the premises of their opposition, most of which is founded on lies anyway.

I would like to see more Democratic senators and congressmen step up and take that on, and not just leave it to the Administration itself.

The unfortunate part of media coverage is that it promotes the extreme and bizarre; it is a constant battle to get past that to a sensible message.