The way the “racism” charge has been thrown around since oh January 2009 has been deeply troubling to me. Just this week was listening to a very enjoyable interview on National Public Radio with singer Dee Dee Bridgewater who mostly discussed the life and career of Billie Holiday. The interview was excellent and illuminating.
Until.
She dropped this little bomb:
I’m sorry, there’s no two ways about it. I will say it on the air. They [President Obama and his wife] are suffering from racist thoughts and actions on the part of the Republican Party. I will say this. It is true, and nobody wants to say this. You know, he can’t get anything passed. They, like, stall everything that he’s trying to pass just because, just because.
And it’s no wonder that the man has become defensive, you know, now that, you know, we’re getting ready to go into his, you know, second year of presidency. Who wouldn’t? Who wouldn’t? He’s being personally attacked. I mean, he has you know, we’re talking about lynchings. This is a subtle lynching that is going on, unfortunately.
Read the whole transcript here.
Suddenly I was angry. Deeply angry. The season of Lent had begun and instead of practicing holy speech cursed at the radio. I am getting mighty tired of this “people criticize President Obama and/or oppose his agenda just because” canard.
So I have been especially interested in alternative perspectives. I particularly recommend Afroconservative. What I appreciate is that she challenges conservatives/Republicans as well. “Okay. So the left’s policies are disastrous. So what is the alternative? What urban policies will you offer?”
Good stuff. Check it out. Bookmark it.
