Tag Archives: racism

The Artist Formerly Known as Dissident: Artists have a duty to dissent—even against Obama – Reason Magazine

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Indeed, but should they appropriate images that carry within them the deep racism that has shaped American history? I agree with the premise but believe that those “dissenters” who appropriate the legacy of American racism are being neither clever nor incisive. They are being racists. And, if they appropriate that imagery, they should prepare to be called on it. Just as all those who appropriate racism in tone and language should be described as racists. As Americans, aware of our common history with all its warts, should not abide racists. And, if the only critique of Obama that you can muster is tinged with racism, then perhaps you should stop the critique and join the program–or come up with a meaningful critique and engage in a civil discourse.

The Artist Formerly Known as Dissident: Artists have a duty to dissent—even against Obama – Reason Magazine.

Would that be too much to ask Republicans? Probably.

PS  One final note: The image of Bush on LA Weekly is NOTHING like the Obama joker image; to act as if they are reflects exceptionally poor analytic skills.

Does Heather MacDonald at NRO really want to defend racism?

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Now the right wing is defending racism. Reported to the police for entering his own house, Gates was not initially cooperative. Surely not wise. But, once the police saw that Gates was, in fact, at his *own* home, they should have left. Period. The police are not entitled to enter someone’s home, harangue them to show identification, and then to arrest them for disorderly conduct (i.e. yelling about the injustice of having their home invaded by the police) in their home.  Not appropriate. EVER.  Really, the police were right to go to the residence; they were correct to ask for and examine Gates’ identification. BUT, FOR GOD’S SAKE, HE LIVES THERE!!!!

The police have dangerous jobs, but that does not justify making poor judgments, nor is it defensible. And, truth by told, if something like that happened to me, I would have received an apology, on the spot.

If I reported Heather Mac Donald was breaking into her own home and the police entered her home, she would be right to be pissed. And, they would be wrong to arrest her, because she was in her home.

I am not so sure that Mac Donald is a racist or is defending racist behavior. But, I am sure that she’s just plain stupid.

Read for yourself: Promoting Racial Paranoia by Heather Mac Donald on National Review Online.