Eric Holder and the Race Card: The issue the media can't resist

Fox News ^ | 4/14/2014 | Howard Kurtz

[markomalley]

When Eric Holder became attorney general in 2009, he declared that when it comes to discussing race, we have become “a nation of cowards.”

Now there’s plenty of discussion of race, some of it swirling around Holder himself.

In recent days, conservative critics have accused Holder of playing the race card to deflect criticism—while his liberal allies believe some of that criticism is racially motivated. It reflects a classic cultural divide in this country and in the media establishment.

Just days ago, I was questioning whether New York Magazine went too far in proclaiming that everything about the Obama presidency was somehow colored by race. The argument this time is over who’s responsible.

What set off the racial fireworks was a Hill confrontation between the nation’s first black attorney general and Rep. Louie Gohmert, who cited the House holding him in contempt two years ago over the Fast and Furious gun-running scandal.

“I realize that contempt is not a big deal to our attorney general but it is important that we have proper oversight,” Gohmert said.

“You don't want to go there, buddy,” Holder shot back.

Holder was steamed, and in a speech the next day to Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, it showed.

[bert]

While it is forbidden to be a racist, it is ok to be a cultureist.

Criticism and praise of various subcultures is academically acceptable.

To observe and comment on the various subcultures is ok

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Thanks for the insight. I have, I think, a good understanding of what is going on, but I think we will get nowhere without an honest discussion, and that has to start with an open mind from all sides. Clearly not all sides are open-minded about this issue, and there is a tremendous amount of dogma emanating from people who have no substantive personal experience.

I grew up in a neighborhood in which there were gunshots outside of my house. If I walked the streets there now there is a very good chance I wouldn't live to tell about it. I understand the dynamic, and I've tried very hard to understand things from all relevant perspectives. I have encountered many inexperienced know-it-alls in my lifetime so far, who have it all figured out - based on what they've been fed by the MSM and on what they came away with from their academic experiences. Most of them grew up without any significant multi-racial exposure on a daily living basis, yet think they are the ‘enlightened’ ones.

I personally hate the idea of defining a person by race, and think that this hurts all of us. I also believe very strongly that racism is a disease that points in all directions, and that whites can be victims of racism just as much as any other racial group.

Personally, I think we can get past race if we are honest about what the problems are, on all sides. I'm counting on it. But, it won't happen as long as there are those who prosper by keeping us divided.

[bert]

——without any significant multi-racial exposure on a daily living basis, ——

I am one of those. I am retired but my retirement job takes place on loading docks. I meet and talk with black container drivers. They are all beyond thirty and have outgrown the problems so prevalent in those younger. Some work for the company but quite a few bought a tractor and hire themselves and their truck to haul containers to and from the ports. They have become small, but independent business men

I have also had on several occasions been there where the people shipping and loading are from Liberia. They are here as refugees from the civil war that is now over. There is a sizeable colony here numbering say 3 or 400. To muy best knowledge, they mostly have jobs. Some are young, highschool. They have learned to buy flea market clothing and stuff, used and old very cheap Toyota and Nissan pickups and ship it “home” to relatives to sell. Sending stuff is better than sending money. They are Christian and have a radio tuned to conservative talk

The black truck drivers see but have difficulty grasping the situation. The jibber jabber is incomprehensible. They see, but what they see and hear doesn’t make sense. Some how the Liberians have developed a large or fairly large scale of business from pretty much scratch and can negotiate the intricacies of international export trade. The young men here of a similar age seem to lack the motivation. The drivers are amazed.