When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Thursday, June 19, 2003
There is little question that the United States has a racist history. Most people will concede that; however, they like to think racism is entirely a thing of the past.
It's not.
The Black Commentator, an excellent e-zine with well reasoned and well documented articles, writes this week on the double standard applied to progressive African-Americans. Columnists in the mainstream media rarely engage in debate with people like Jesse Jackson and the Al Sharpton. Intstead, they demean and trivialize them with derogatory remarks about their motives.
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
Racist media
There is little question that the United States has a racist history. Most people will concede that; however, they like to think racism is entirely a thing of the past.
It's not.
The Black Commentator, an excellent e-zine with well reasoned and well documented articles, writes this week on the double standard applied to progressive African-Americans. Columnists in the mainstream media rarely engage in debate with people like Jesse Jackson and the Al Sharpton. Intstead, they demean and trivialize them with derogatory remarks about their motives.
...media commentators should avoid name-calling, stereotypes and other distractions from substantive discussion about ideas or proposals; represent people’s ideas and statements fairly; and portray their actions and beliefs accurately....when it comes to African-American leaders who challenge the status quo, such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton and professor and author Cornel West, these standards are frequently violated. --Jacqueline Bacon, The Black Commentator
Playing the free speech card
Bad guys of all stripes claim that the free speech amendment to the Constitution gives them the right to say whatever they like without complaint from anyone. They feel they should be immune to criticism. And yet......when progressive African-American spokespeople take someone to task for what they believe are inappropriate remarks, they are often told to lighten up and to respect free speech. Calling Jackson’s and Sharpton’s objections to comments in the movie Barbershop about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. a "petty snit," E.R. Shipp (New York Daily News, 9/29/02) demanded, "Isn't free speech one of the rights Jesse has made it his life's work to uphold?" Rod Dreher (National Review Online, 9/25/02) remarked that "it's absurd to claim that any human being has the right to be spared any negative commentary at all." --ibid.So, do you think this remark applies to President Bush? Why, no ma'am, we are NOT supposed to criticize the president-- that would be 'unpatriotic.'
Palema
7:02 AM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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