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News & ArtsThursday, December 3, 2009
Politics GOP: Still Anti-Minority or Still in Denial?
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 11:18 AM
A federal judge ruled this week that tactics used by Republicans, which they claim are intended to reduce voter fraud, still equate to voter suppression and can't be used without a judge's permission. Republicans want cops to patrol polling places where minorities vote, take photos of those voters, and use lists to challenge their voter registrations. The RNC argued that, now that a black man is in the White House and black people have been elected to numerous offices, those tactics couldn't amount to voter intimidation. They said that scrutinizing minority voters—in the name of stopping widespread voter fraud calculatedly perpetrated by lower-income minority groups—should be unbridled. The NYT today:
In an opinion issued on Tuesday, Judge Dickinson R. Debevoise of Federal District Court ruled that the Republicans failed to show that conditions had changed enough to justify changing the agreement.“It does not appear that the R.N.C.’s incentive to suppress minority votes has changed since 1982,” Judge Debevoise wrote, citing statistics showing that most minority voters support Democrats. “It appears that the R.N.C. has been largely unsuccessful in its efforts to attract minority voters. Until it is able to do so, it will have an incentive to engage in the type of voter suppression that it allegedly committed in the actions that led to the enactment and modification of the consent decree.”
The judge dismissed arguments by Republican advocates that voter fraud is a growing problem, and said suppression of minority voters was a more serious issue.
Walking to work this morning through the Central District—where frosty new Subarus from lakeside neighborhoods containing Caucasian liberals en route to downtown jobs holding steaming Americanos whizzed past bus stops surrounded by African Americans en route to downtown jobs and holding nothing—I was thinking about this Republican argument. On one hand, I'm disposed to believe that the GOP is a racist party, its modern history based on oppressing black people, and this court case was like a creative writing experiment submitted to a judge. Could they point to a few elected people of color as evidence that voter suppression no longer exists? Like, if nonwhite voters were oppressed, our country would have never voted for these non-white people. But this argument belies itself. To believe it, you'd have to think that only nonwhites elected other nonwhites, and, since the nonwhites were elected, clearly nonwhite voters aren't suppressed. In reality, white voters also elected nonwhites—Democratic white voters helped elect nonwhite officials. But Republicans didn't vote African Americans into office, they only appointed them to the RNC in response to Obama's victory.
But maybe Republicans really believe that we are in a post race-America, where disparities of wealth and privilege are behind us. It was a mindfuckingly inconceivable notion walking to work this morning. Looking at America.
Republicans are expected to appeal the ruling.
1
Remember, the GOP, the Neo-Cons, the majority of the middle class....they don't care about the truth. They only care about the truthiness.
2
They just can't help themselves. They deny they are racist but walk like a duck. They are going to be in a very difficult position which they will richly deserve.
3
People who define themselves via their skin color, gender, or sexual orientation are weak, worthless and pathetic.
I hate poor people, too. Fucking losers.
I hate poor people, too. Fucking losers.
4
Dominic, what is the purpose of your observation regarding Caucasians in Subarus vs. African Americans at a bus stop? How does this anecdote add to your overall point? Is it just off-hand stereotyping of race and class?
You only saw Caucasians in Subarus? Are you sure no other skin color was driving a Subaru? Is your implication that African Americans don't drive Subarus, but only take the bus? What is the point of this and how does it relate to your article other than to create or reinforce stereotypes?
You only saw Caucasians in Subarus? Are you sure no other skin color was driving a Subaru? Is your implication that African Americans don't drive Subarus, but only take the bus? What is the point of this and how does it relate to your article other than to create or reinforce stereotypes?
7
Medina @ 4) It's an example that you don't have to look far to find racial inequities in America. Obviously, there are wealthy African Americans and there are poor Caucasians. But that's not the point. To suggest that electing a handful of African Americans rectifies eons of disparity is a visibly weak argument--just look.
8
@4 "But maybe Republicans really believe that we are in a post race-America, where disparities of wealth and privilege are behind us."
Your post is a troupe acting out the narrators words.
Your post is a troupe acting out the narrators words.
9
Dominic,
Bad argument. Would you ever admit you're racist? When do you think this nation will be post-racist? Are entitlements/affirmative action the only examples of good policy (i.e. non-racist behavior/actions) on the part of whites and others? Does this ruling by this judge ensure fair play by your standard? Must the GOP recruit/appeal to blacks to assure no voter fraud? Does voting for a black candidate preclude racism?
No the GOP isn't racist and Micheal Steele isn't an Uncle Tom. I agree we're not post-racial (I believe it would take ALL races and parties to believe we're post-racial). It will not happen anytime soon as long as a grievance mentality exists. One day Pres. Obama won't be president. If the condition of the African-American family and community doesn't improve it will be a tragedy.
I am not denying racism exists. But it now comes in a myriad of forms. And white racists (the classic supremicist) are an aging and dying breed. With an Obama presidency, it now is more difficult to ascertain just how much racism plays a role in American society (especially in both major political parties). Checking for voter fraud isn't a sign of racism. I believe we have a way to go but I think we have come a long,long way in this country regarding race.
Bad argument. Would you ever admit you're racist? When do you think this nation will be post-racist? Are entitlements/affirmative action the only examples of good policy (i.e. non-racist behavior/actions) on the part of whites and others? Does this ruling by this judge ensure fair play by your standard? Must the GOP recruit/appeal to blacks to assure no voter fraud? Does voting for a black candidate preclude racism?
No the GOP isn't racist and Micheal Steele isn't an Uncle Tom. I agree we're not post-racial (I believe it would take ALL races and parties to believe we're post-racial). It will not happen anytime soon as long as a grievance mentality exists. One day Pres. Obama won't be president. If the condition of the African-American family and community doesn't improve it will be a tragedy.
I am not denying racism exists. But it now comes in a myriad of forms. And white racists (the classic supremicist) are an aging and dying breed. With an Obama presidency, it now is more difficult to ascertain just how much racism plays a role in American society (especially in both major political parties). Checking for voter fraud isn't a sign of racism. I believe we have a way to go but I think we have come a long,long way in this country regarding race.
10
7
It's called anecdotal evidence, dumbass.
Just because a white yuppie Seattle Liberal doesn't know or know where to find any prosperous blacks doesn't mean they don't exist.
It's called anecdotal evidence, dumbass.
Just because a white yuppie Seattle Liberal doesn't know or know where to find any prosperous blacks doesn't mean they don't exist.
11
Republicans want to provide equality of opportunity and a level playing field and let people earn what they will, can or wish.
Liberals want to guarantee equal outcome, by seizing from those who earn and giving to those who did not.
Liberals want to guarantee equal outcome, by seizing from those who earn and giving to those who did not.
12
Your observation about what you thought you saw on the roads was lazy, anecdotal crap.
You walked through the CD. Good for you. Unfortunately, it's largely a working class and poor neighborhood.
There are people all over the place who explode the simplistic stereotypes you crafted in your head while walking to your job today. They just don't care to make themselves known to you, they don't care if a blogger for the Stranger knows they exist.
That said, fuck the GOP. Anyone can claim not to hate minorities, but to cynically use anti-minority sentiment to get elected decade after decade is evil. For them, I think it's more about power, and gripping it by any means that works.
You walked through the CD. Good for you. Unfortunately, it's largely a working class and poor neighborhood.
There are people all over the place who explode the simplistic stereotypes you crafted in your head while walking to your job today. They just don't care to make themselves known to you, they don't care if a blogger for the Stranger knows they exist.
That said, fuck the GOP. Anyone can claim not to hate minorities, but to cynically use anti-minority sentiment to get elected decade after decade is evil. For them, I think it's more about power, and gripping it by any means that works.
13
lark @ 9) "Checking for voter fraud isn't a sign of racism," you say. In principle, no, it's not. But cops patrolling polling places where minorities vote, taking photos of those voters, and using lists to challenge their voter registrations--all conducted by a party built on racism, with a history of voter suppression--sure is.
And, sorry, but using an anecdote to reflect well-documented reality is okay in my book.
And, sorry, but using an anecdote to reflect well-documented reality is okay in my book.
14
It is when cops are sent to patrol minority polling places and only minority polling places.
You don't have to be a member of the KKK to be racist.
Oh, I see. So it's black people's fault that we can't get past race. Fuck off.
Checking for voter fraud isn't a sign of racism.
It is when cops are sent to patrol minority polling places and only minority polling places.
And white racists (the classic supremicist) are an aging and dying breed
You don't have to be a member of the KKK to be racist.
It will not happen anytime soon as long as a grievance mentality exists.
Oh, I see. So it's black people's fault that we can't get past race. Fuck off.
15
13
The GOP was founded to end Slavery. And did.
The Democratic Party ran, in 1864, on a platform of ending the war and preserving Slavery.
Jim Crow and Segregation and the KKK were Democratic Party creations and institutions.
Jefferson (slave baby-daddy) and Jackson, founders of the Democratic Party- compare and contrast to Abraham Lincoln.
We've got your party built on racism, with a history of voter suppression-- it's called the Democratic Party, you clueless ignorant asshole.
The GOP was founded to end Slavery. And did.
The Democratic Party ran, in 1864, on a platform of ending the war and preserving Slavery.
Jim Crow and Segregation and the KKK were Democratic Party creations and institutions.
Jefferson (slave baby-daddy) and Jackson, founders of the Democratic Party- compare and contrast to Abraham Lincoln.
We've got your party built on racism, with a history of voter suppression-- it's called the Democratic Party, you clueless ignorant asshole.
17
@15 Hate to feed Trolls, but...
Nixon's Southern Strategy & the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's changed the nature of US political parties. What we have now are in no way related to 19th century conditions.
Things do change over the course of a century or two, believe it or not!
Nixon's Southern Strategy & the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's changed the nature of US political parties. What we have now are in no way related to 19th century conditions.
Things do change over the course of a century or two, believe it or not!
18
Whenever the majority of Americans are allowed to vote, without harassment, the America-hating Republic Party of No and their Talibangelists lose.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Every.
Single.
Time.
19
@15- You might have heard of it: "The Southern Strategy?" Look it up.
RE: the original post: I'm not sure poor people qualify as a minority any more.
RE: the original post: I'm not sure poor people qualify as a minority any more.
20
Seamlessly going from segregation to the enslavement of welfare and government dependancy was not an improvement for blacks.
sorry.
Are blacks better of socially now than 50 years ago?
Compare rate of out-of-wedlock birthrate.
Substance abuse.
Incarceration levels.
The destruction of the black family was a high price to pay for government dole.
sorry.
Are blacks better of socially now than 50 years ago?
Compare rate of out-of-wedlock birthrate.
Substance abuse.
Incarceration levels.
The destruction of the black family was a high price to pay for government dole.
21
The conservatives aren't classically racist today (i.e., they don't lynch blacks anymore... mostly). Instead, they're racist in that they think all blacks are lazy, don't want to improve themselves, and only want to get government handouts. They fail to recognize that minorities are still treated unfairly. They think "hey, there's no more slavery or segregation, so that means everyone is treated equally, right? I went to a good school, and have a job, and a house, and my neighbors are friendly... so their life must be equal to my own... so why are they unemployed and violent?"
In other words, conservatives are simply ignorant and have their heads buried in the sand. As usual.
In other words, conservatives are simply ignorant and have their heads buried in the sand. As usual.
22
Wow. Republicans are ignorant. Stop the presses for that insightful newsflash.
/sarcasm subroutine enabled
/sarcasm subroutine enabled
23
@13Dominic,
Thanks for responding and remaining civil unlike @14Keshmeshi. I contend the GOP isn't "a party built on racism, with a history of voter suppression". You mention the past fifty years and Nixon's "Southern Strategy" in another posting. Fair enough. But that is contestable.
At one time after Reconstruction, African Americans voted heavily GOP. Jackie Robinson and Zora Neale Hurston were Republicans. After all, the GOP was the party of Lincoln, the Great Emancipator. Roughly, beginning in the 1930s (I contend largely due to labor union organizing) through the 1960s the tide turned and African Americans began voting Democratic. They still do. I merely believe that the nation as a whole has become far less racist since the 1960s. Especially with the enactment of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (Voting Rights Act?).
So, I contend it is more difficult for me to believe that the GOP is necessarily racist because they want to monitor for voter fraud. Checking for voter fraud is good. But, I will concede that they (the GOP) would prefer more votes from the minority community to their party rather than the Democratic Party. If that is disingenuous on the part of the GOP, fine. Then you and the judge have a point.
Thanks for responding and remaining civil unlike @14Keshmeshi. I contend the GOP isn't "a party built on racism, with a history of voter suppression". You mention the past fifty years and Nixon's "Southern Strategy" in another posting. Fair enough. But that is contestable.
At one time after Reconstruction, African Americans voted heavily GOP. Jackie Robinson and Zora Neale Hurston were Republicans. After all, the GOP was the party of Lincoln, the Great Emancipator. Roughly, beginning in the 1930s (I contend largely due to labor union organizing) through the 1960s the tide turned and African Americans began voting Democratic. They still do. I merely believe that the nation as a whole has become far less racist since the 1960s. Especially with the enactment of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (Voting Rights Act?).
So, I contend it is more difficult for me to believe that the GOP is necessarily racist because they want to monitor for voter fraud. Checking for voter fraud is good. But, I will concede that they (the GOP) would prefer more votes from the minority community to their party rather than the Democratic Party. If that is disingenuous on the part of the GOP, fine. Then you and the judge have a point.
24
@23- Would it soothe you if we just said "the modern GOP is based on racism? I think we all know that Lincoln was a Republican yaddayaddayadda...
"Checking for voter fraud is good." Yes.
Checking for voter fraud only in minority communities in the most intimidating way possible because you are simply trying to keep members of the other party from voting is bad.
You know which one the GOP is doing.
"Checking for voter fraud is good." Yes.
Checking for voter fraud only in minority communities in the most intimidating way possible because you are simply trying to keep members of the other party from voting is bad.
You know which one the GOP is doing.
25
Book suggestion for everyone who has written or who reads this thread -- Tim Wise's "Between Barack and A Hard Place." It examines a lot of the issues brought up by this post, in a more comprehensive and less anecdotal way, and describes why the whole notion of why the election of Obama means we live in a post-racial America is not only ridiculous, but disabling to ongoing work towards social justice. A basic thought experiment: if Hilary Clinton had become the nominee and then won, would anyone claim we were living in a post-gender America, and that sexism no longer mattered?
There have always been and always will be nonwhite folks like Obama who will achieve amazing things despite racism. But until we can see large societal changes that diminish long-standing racial inequities, we can't even begin to say we're moving beyond race.
There have always been and always will be nonwhite folks like Obama who will achieve amazing things despite racism. But until we can see large societal changes that diminish long-standing racial inequities, we can't even begin to say we're moving beyond race.
26
@11: "Republicans want to provide equality of opportunity and a level playing field"
That is the funniest goddamn thing I have read all day. Thank you.
That is the funniest goddamn thing I have read all day. Thank you.
28
Dominic, your anecdote does nothing to support your assertion. Racial inequality may exist, but observing a white person driving a Subaru and a black person riding a bus is completely irrelevant. Riding the bus is not necessarily proof of inequality. Driving a Subaru is not evidence of white superiority. Your point was clear, you anecdote detracted from it. You should have cited the Urban League study instead. Your observation doesn't even reflect the conclusion of the study. Presumably, the African American at the bus stop was traveling to work, and Not unemployed.
29
I thought that you wrote this piece very well. And I also realize that your anecdote was not meant to be hard proof of racial inequality, but merely an illustration of your thought process. I think it's beautiful.
30
16
"Southern Strategy".
That's a good one.
Nixon could learn something from Slog about demonizing blacks and stirring up fear of black crime.
"Southern Strategy".
That's a good one.
Nixon could learn something from Slog about demonizing blacks and stirring up fear of black crime.
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