Our shameful legacy of racism . . . and how it is exploited by the GOP

[ProfessorPlum]

It never really hit me until the other day just how damaging the lingering evils of the incredible crimes of slavery have been to our country until the other day.

But think about it: in addition to all of the incredibly hurtful woes and burdens it has placed on an entire section of our society, in addition to the hatred and violence and tensions it has produced . . . in addition to all of that, racism has made it impossible for Americans to govern themselves wisely.

How many people in this country today will not or can not vote for politicians who would provide them economic stability and a social safety net - precisely BECAUSE that net would also be extended to people of another race whom they have been taught to loathe? Bigots from all over the country can never vote for universal health care, because they lay awake at night worrying that it might somehow benefit a black family. They can never vote to strengthen welfare, unemployment, job benefits . . . because it might somehow also benefit poor black Americans. Any program which helps the poor is immediately translated in their brains into "handouts" for "black people" and therefore verboten. They will not do anything politically which would make this country a more humane place, for everyone, because instead of thinking "there but for the grace of God go I" when they think about poor people, they can only blame the suffering . . because of racism. People who would help the poor of all races in this country are defeated through race-baiting and barely concealed subtexts in speeches by those who are happy to create an underclass of all races, but who push racist buttons to do it.

Those people who committed the crimes of racism have screwed this country for good - if we ever learn to vote in our own best interest, it will be despite the legacy of slavery and racism.