Selling Race Bait II: The “R Word” Threats
By Pat Racimora on June 28, 2008 at 4:52 PM in 1st Amendment, Obama, Race Card
Race baiting is branching out. Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas and possible Democratic VP contender, is now in on the game. She recently explained to us how Obama will be attacked:
“I don’t think anybody’s going to go directly at the race issue, but that’s going to be an underlying theme [by saying things like] he’s not qualified, he’s somebody who should scare you. He’s too liberal.” Kansas City Star.
This statement echoes Obama’s own warning that Republicans will use the race card in the form of trying to frighten people into believing he is inexperienced and scary.
Talk about trying to scare people! One trembles at the thought of being called a racist, so holding it out as a threat to supress candid, open discussion about Obama and his qualifications and actions amounts to nothing more than psychological thuggery.
However, this ruthless campaign tactic may well unravel like a cheap sweater.
A most curious thing is happening, and not only to me. The first time in my life that I was called a racist was about four months ago. I was on the sidewalk and a guy on a bicycle yelled out that “R” word as he raced by me. Why? I assume it was because I was wearing a Hillary tee-shirt. Yet this horrific slur lodged into my chest like a sharp knife. I wanted to chase him down and explain how my Mama raised me to never judge people by their skin color. I wanted to show him my family photo album—name a race, ethnicity, or religion, and we’ve got it. (That the impetus for the slur was outrageous escaped me at the time.)
The second time was on a blog regarding one of my cartoons, despite the fact that I strive to select valid issues and data. This time it stung, but didn’t feel quite so bad. The third time was a particularly nasty slam on the blog, Daily Kos. And, I just didn’t care. In fact, it made me even more determined to share my concerns about campaign issues through my drawings.
Imagine adapting to being characterized as about the worst thing anyone could ascribe to a non-Black person! I would have never thought it possible. But, I predict this will be one legacy of the 2008 campaign— The definition of “Racist” will become “Someone who expresses something that you don’t like.” We will have to think up something else to call those who actually deserve the label.
In the meantime, maybe we should start worrying a lot more about the First Amendment.
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