“Racism Changes Its Colors….

The Other Side of the Edge…..
Racism Changes Its Colors…..
By Joe Facinoli

Racism (ra’siz em) noun: 1. The notion that one’s own ethnic stock is superior. 2. The belief that each race has certain qualities or abilities, giving rise to the view that some races are better than others. 3. Discrimination against, or hostility towards, other races. (see also: racist –noun or adjective)

Where, in Merriam-Webster’s clear definition above, does it mention, or even imply, that when one person, of a certain or given race (or color), criticizes another human being, of a different race or color, that the first person is a racist, or is practicing racism, simply because he happens to disagree, perhaps even fundamentally, with the second??

I’ll save you the trouble of re-reading: It doesn’t.

Professor Webster never intended (nor even thought about the possibility, frankly), that this electrically charged word, would someday be intertwined with the words “excuse”, “denial”, or “distraction”, when explaining a disagreement between two debating or opposing factions.

He never thought they would ever be used together, because it makes so little sense, and it’s not even grammatically correct!!

He never envisioned anything close, because to invoke such a word, and ideology, as a description of someone, especially a targeted opponent, ends all intelligent (and future) dialog, and incites all manner of strong response, ….none of it pretty.

It also means, that you have no other arguments, good, bad, or sideways, with which to support the actions of the person you are so blindly defending, nor any line of acceptable reasoning for that exalted person’s behaviors, other than to say something like: “You racist pig, we know what your real intentions are, and where your true feelings lie!”

Or, you could just say “Na na na na….”, which you can also find in Webster’s masterpiece, on page 674, as it would make just about as much sense as speaking the “R” word, during a frustrated and futile attempt to make a cogent argument.

Or better yet (and more intellectually honest), just stick one thumb in each ear, wave the other four fingers (well, actually 8) at your adversary, and then use your tongue, lips, and mouth to form another sound “Pttthhhhthhh….”, which is not yet found in the M-W unabridged version, but I understand it may soon be under consideration, given the volume of recent usage.

When did calling someone a racist, ever give that accused person a moment’s pause, when they are otherwise genuinely concerned that a leader of any organization, much less the government of the United States of America, is incompetent, unqualified (for any reason), ill-prepared, far too inexperienced for the job, and acting in an organized, determined, and clandestine manner, in order to win the day for his own agenda, no matter the cost to that organization, or to this beautiful country??

Do you think dragging out that “magic” word, will just make them stop in their tracks, and say to themselves: “Damn, that guy’s right, I really hate (fill in the color/nationality/religious affiliation, here) people, so that must be the reason why I’m so against that (fill in the position, and/or name, here) person, even though they are slowly destroying the economy, all Constitutional values and laws, as well as the fabric of our (fill in the group, organization, or country, here)”???

Yeah,…sure,….I can see that happening. On the other hand, a smart, reasoned, and well researched and practiced rebuttal, may, just may, cause your debate partner to at least stop and think about your side of things.

What could it hurt? And it sure would be different!!

And it certainly wouldn’t have the “coffee mug to the face” effect of calling them a “cracker/whitey/ racist thug, and probable former slave owner”, or some such.

As proof, one only needs to turn on Chris Mathews’ show, on MSNBC (and when you do, you’ll be viewer number 28, for that evening), who long ago ran out of ammunition to defend his beloved “thrill up his leg” throne holder, and now just automatically goes to the “racist”, Def-Con 5 maneuver, as quickly as he might use the Staples “Easy Button”, to make his problems go away, and attempt to counter rational, and clear logic.

Accusing someone of “racism”, used to be a serious matter, one with grave consequences, for both the accuser, and the accusee, depending on which was ultimately proven to be guilty, or correct.

It was not taken lightly, and always sparked deep debate, and divides, between all who found themselves being judged a proponent of this horrific practice, and those doing the judging.

But now, it pops up in too many conversations, too quickly, as a demeaning threat, or even as a weapon. The loyal Lib backers of President Obama have taken to using this new piece of weaponry freely, easily, and unapologetically, regardless of the circumstances, and whether using it actually makes the user look worse than the accused, and even ridiculous at times, for the practice.

They pull it out about as often as .45’s are used on the streets of West Baltimore, or even larger semi-automatic pieces are utilized on the Southside of Chicago.

Which is to say: A lot, ….and much too often.

The irony here, is that in the incompetent, abusive, and unconstitutional way in which BHO has conducted himself, and his administration, as our first African American President, he has done more for “The Cause” than anything our last three Presidents ever did, …..combined.

He has shown that he is indeed no better, and to his credit as a black man, no worse, than any of the previous three white guys.

Which is to say, …that it is good, ….in that way, …that he is so bad. Equality of the races has arrived, at least at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Even though so many thought, even hoped, he would be better, they are now disappointed, and a little better educated.

There is no link to the color of a person’s skin, when it comes to judging stupidity, arrogance, and mistrust (and in some cases, criminality), for what it is.

Nor when blatant and partisan disrespect is shown by our President, to those whom he was elected to govern, ….and lead.

All are judged alike, when these qualities and characteristics are employed or displayed, by our leaders. And they can be Black, White, or Purple Polka Dotted, it doesn’t matter.

As evidence, a few names: Holder, Pelosi, Obama, Reid, Hillary Clinton, Biden.

All are equals, in their disregard for the rights and liberties of Americans. All are arrogant, and/or stupid, and/or seriously condescending, and certainly all are disrespectful of their countrymen, in their own and various ways.

But only two are black, the rest white, and all are judged equally, as if they were green with yellow stripes.

A few decades ago, Irving Berlin, a successful and prolific songwriter, and a white man of Jewish heritage, penned a prescient love song, with much deeper meaning, than the lyrics appearing on his page.

Ella Fitzgerald, the incomparable and timeless songbird, and a black lady, was chosen to sing these special lyrics. Together, they sent a message to the world.

Mr. Berlin wrote “I Used to be Color Blind”, and Ms. Fitzgerald sang it as if she were born to.

They told us:

“Strange how a dreary world, can suddenly change,

To a world as bright as the evening star,

….what a difference, when your vision is clear,

And you see things as they really are.”

Colors don’t change, but perceptions do.

And apparently, …definitions.

Defending the indefensible, by calling someone racist for disagreeing, is not even “reverse racism”, it’s just another example of stupidity.

If that’s you, then have a seat, because “….we’re all stocked up, here”.

Joe Facinoli

--Joe can be reached at: joefacinoli@gmail.com

Intelligent Response Encouraged !!