The Democrats' racial double standard

Phil Valentine

January 12, 2010

PhilValentine.com

 

Is there a double standard when it comes to race and politics?  Without a doubt there is but the latest Washington racial flap – this one involving Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – isn’t likely to lead to the same conclusion, one that brought down another senate majority leader, Trent Lott.

The trouble originates in a new book by two Eastern Establishment reporters in the mainstream media called “Game Change.”  In the book, the authors quote Harry Reid commenting on candidate Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign saying that he thought the country was ready for a black president, especially a “light-skinned” African-American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.”

Indelicate?  You bet.  The notion that America isn’t ready for a darker-skinned black president with a black dialect may be way off the mark but Reid’s opinion may not necessarily be racist.  Perhaps it’s just his observation of the electorate.  However, in this politically correct, racially oversensitive world we live in it certainly “sounds offensive.”  And it certainly is much more racially charged than a placating toast to a former segregationist senator on his 100th birthday by Trent Lott.  That little compliment led to Lott stepping down as majority leader. 

So, should Harry Reid step down, as well?  The circling of wagons by the typical liberal apologists suggests it’s not likely to happen.  Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, released a statement justifying Reid’s remarks.  In essence, she said Reid had earned the right to be a racist.  “Senator Reid's record provides a stark contrast to actions of Republicans to block legislation that would benefit poor and minority communities -- most recently reflected in Republican opposition to the health bill now under consideration.”  So, the presumption is if you’re black you’re poor.  Isn’t that, in and of itself, racist? 

Apparently, a (D) after your name offers a large degree of immunity.  A case in point is long-time senator Robert Byrd, D-WV.  The former Klansman is not only forgiven for his past cross-burnings, he’s revered as “the conscience of the Senate.”  Having a “conscience” like that echoing in the head of that esteemed political body might explain a lot in the way of how corruptness and ineptness are accepted if not celebrated.

According to a report by CNSNews.com, Sen. Jack Reed, D-RI, rejected any comparison to the Lott episode.  “I think that’s a totally different context,” Reed said.  “Harry Reid made a misstatement.”  A misstatement?  A misstatement is an erroneous statement of fact.  Reid’s statement, like Lott’s, was a matter of opinion.  Reid’s opinion is that American society is not sophisticated enough or, maybe, hasn’t evolved enough to accept anything other than a candidate who at least resembles a white man.  Given that America has embraced darker-skinned individuals on the Supreme Court, in both houses of Congress, not to mention countless state and local offices, maybe it’s Harry Reid’s preconceived notion that we’re somehow not quite ready. 

Reid can either accept the opinion as his own or he can pass it off as an observation of society that’s not supported by fact.  One is as bad as the other.  To explain it away as something he did not mean to say is an insult to the collective intelligence of all Americans but, apparently, not an insult to the intelligence of Democrats in Washington.  Says something of their intelligence, doesn’t it?

But, remember, this is the same group that gave a pass to Joe Biden when he referred to Obama as “articulate” and “clean.” Apparently an articulate, clean black man is somewhat of a curiosity to them.