A “Caucasian Club” — ugh. The paranoid style (cont.). A new symphony — and more

NRO ^ | 22 Sep 03 | Jay Nordlinger

[.cnI redruM]

We've always said that one problem with "identity" politics is, Where will it end? If we have black student lounges on campus, how many other racially segregated lounges will we have to bear?

These questions are more than theoretical, as proven by a story out of California. In Oakley (not Oakland), "Lisa McClelland says she isn't a racist," according to a news report. "She says her campaign for a Caucasian Club at her high school is a move toward diversity, not bigotry. She says everyone is invited — and nobody will be excluded."

For those who care — and, boy, do people care — Lisa's "ethnic background includes American Indian, Hispanic, Dutch, German, Italian, and Irish. She says she and her friends feel slighted by other clubs at Freedom High School in Oakley, such as the Black Student Union and the Asian Club."

Lisa has "collected 245 signatures of support from students, adults, and others since announcing her plans three weeks ago."

Ugh — enough of the Balkanizing of America. The sad truth is, Lisa McClelland is not as crazy as the society into which she was born: It is America that is crazy. And, if I may call a spade a spade, it is the Left's fault. It is the fault of all of those who have insisted on the prominence — virtually the primacy — of race rather than its evanescence as a profound factor in our national life.

[.cnI redruM]

Well let's see... I'm part German, part Swedish, part Irish, a small part Iroquois Indian, and my family name originated from Austria. If I started an ethnic identity club, I'd have hard time finding any members.

[markman46]

Dennis Preager is discussing this on his radio show right now.

[sharpink]

This is really really bad. I see headlines like this I start thinking end of the world. If I ever have kids private school or homeschool is the only option.

[Mears]

My God,this guy called a spade a spade. What on earth was he thinking?

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[WackyKat]

White people are getting sick of constantly being attacked and put down by the "multiculturalists"
We have learned that "multiculturalism" is just a code word for "Get Whitey".
This girl is fighting back and I applaud her courage.

[ChewedGum]

My ranting on this is here. You have to read what the NAACP leader said regarding this issue!

Gum

[Clemenza]

Polish/Italian here. Have friends (and lovers) of all races. I think such clubs are silly, but that this young lady has just as much a right to do this as the majority (whites are a minority in California) groups.

[Abcdefg]

How can it be "diversity" when there is no room for a loud-mouthed redneck?;^)

[KellyAdmirer]

Why shouldn't her people share in the school funds for clubs?

[samiam1972]

Hi there! I've got some of that Iroquois Indian and German in me also. Great-grandmother was from Austria. Is that close enough? Can I join?

[.cnI redruM]

ALmost, but I'll have to review the documentation...;)

[walford]

[.cnI redruM]

Yep, and his favorite singer is Barry White.

[jordan8]

evanescent
adj [L evanescent-, evanescens, prp. of evanescere] (1717): tending to vanish like vapor syn see transient

The racial political wars are just beginning. During the birth of political correctness in the 1960s you would occasionally run into some (invariably female) airhead who when asked "Who was that black man you were talking to a while ago" would answer "Oh, was he black? I didn't notice." That sentiment, once lampooned as a laughable denial of reality, has now become the standard line amongst conservatives. It's just as big a denial of reality today as it was then. Nordlinger doesn't believe that racial politics don't matter or are "tending to vanish like a vapor", no rational adult could possibly believe such a thing. Like his PC predecessor from the 60s, he knows it isn't true, but unlike her he is motivated by fear, not principle.

[goldstategop]

Its schadenfreude to see the Left hoist on their identity politics petard.