Racism

Who’s The Racist?

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/03/02/obama-says-race-a-key-component-in-tea-party-protests

The main stream media has had a field day with the Tea Party in the last 2 years. They want their viewers to believe we are “gun toting, white, middle-America racists.” Now, I’m not so naive as to think that there aren’t any racists within our ranks, I’m sure there are. If racists have infiltrated the Tea Party then they have certainly infiltrated the Democratic and Progressive parties as well. I can tell you, from personal experience, if there were ever people being offensive or racist at any of the Tea Party or 9/12 events I’ve attended, they were weeded out and told to either pipe down or leave. The Tea Party I know does not tolerate name calling and/or offensive behavior. We do, however, invite polite debate and amiable alternative opinions. Qualities some on the left seem to be lacking.

Now, our illustrious President has been cited in a new book, Family of Freedom: Presidents and African-Americans in the White House, agreeing with the following, "race was probably a key component in the rising opposition to his presidency from conservatives, especially right-wing activists in the anti-incumbent Tea Party Movement." Additionally, at that same private dinner this book cites, our President added that racism was a “subterranean agenda of the movement.” My first reaction was sadness, now I’m just mad.

Really? Mr. President, do you really think your policies to be so flawless that they couldn’t possibly be challenged on their merit? And how do you account for those among us who are African-American and disagree with your policies? Are they racists too? Additionally, where are you getting your facts? Have you ever attended a Tea Party or 9/12 meeting or event? Have you ever spoken to a member of the Tea Party? Have you ever read any of our many publications or websites? Are you aware of our philosophy on the role of Government in America? At what point does the above philosophy mention race to be a factor in our political opinions?

President Obama was supposed to be the president to bridge the racial divide. He campaigned on a promise to bring America and all Americans together. In my humble opinion, things have gotten worse. The nation is more polarized than ever. I decided during the Bush administration that I didn’t like the direction our government was taking our country. Back in 2007, when the housing market crashed, the stock market bottomed out and the company I worked for started its two yearlong round of lay-offs I knew I needed to somehow get involved in getting our country back on track. In 2007-2008 I was called a patriot, back then I was told I was on the right track. My tactics and political opinions haven’t changed but now, I’m called a racist. Friends and colleagues that I’ve known for years are calling me paranoid. People I’ve known for decades are saying I must be a racist because I affiliate myself with the Tea Party. I hear those same friends regurgitating the same rhetoric I hear on the main stream media. It doesn’t matter that they have known me for decades, that in those decades I’ve never demonstrated any propensity towards racism, yet, they seem fit to label me as such because they “heard it on the news.”

There have been a number of times where our President has stuck his proverbial foot in his mouth. His opinions regarding Scott Walker’s handling of the teachers union contracts in Wisconsin, for example. Or the statement he made about the Cambridge police officer arresting Henry Louis Gates Jr. after getting a call from a neighbor reporting a prowler. Perhaps this racism comment is yet another example.

The Tea Party is not and has never been a racist organization. It was not founded by racists on racist principles. We are not motivated by anything other than the desire to make America a better place for ALL citizens. Yes, Mr. President, ALL citizens. You seem to forget that those polarizing statements you make further alienate a large percentage of your constituents. Whether you like it or not,( and for that matter) whether we like it or not, you are our president too. Shame on you Mr. President, those kinds of comments are vicious and unfair and, quite frankly, unbecoming of your office. So, with all due respect, Mr. President, perhaps it is you who “has acted stupidly.”