Rice on race: It matters and always has

The Huntsville Time ^ | November 22, 2002 | Dave Person

[where's_the_Outrage?]

NASHINGTO- Teddy Roosevelt, sitting proudly on his oil-W painted horse in the White House room with his name, must have been horrified at Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

As President Bush's national security advisor, she should have known better. She wasn't supposed to say that. Not in a White House peopled with conservative Republicans. Not to a group of black columnists representing major newspapers from around the country.

Not in the Roosevelt Room.

''Race matters in America,'' Rice said. ''It has, it always has. Maybe there will be a day when it doesn't, but I suspect that it will for a long time to come.''

For the record, Rice didn't stutter or backtrack at the end of her interview with the Trotter Group. Instead, she did something that black conservatives aren't known for: She publicly acknowledged the reality and validity of the race question.

Now before you right-wingers get your boxers in a bunch, take a breath. She didn't go Al Sharpton on us, pledging to support reparations. She didn't say that Bush would apologize for the U.S. government's role in the slave trade.

But Rice did increase her credibility with us by affirming her place in the continuing cultural and political struggle that black people in the United States are engaged in - and she did it on her own terms.

Black conservatives, take note: It's OK to admit that race is still a problem in this country. You don't have to sink into denial. The sky won't fall down. The ground won't swallow you up.

It doesn't mean that you have to join Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition, take Congresswoman Maxine Waters to lunch or join the NAACP.

It's safe to take your heads out of the sand and face the truth: While the United States has made tremendous progress on race, it still has a long way to go.

The December 2002/January 2003 edition of Savoy magazine has an extensive article on a class-action discrimination lawsuit that has been filed against Xerox. The plaintiffs contend that sales territories are segregated, promotions are race-based and harassment can take the form of hanging nooses being displayed in some Xerox facilities.

Xerox denies any discrimination, but there is plenty of reason to doubt its denial. According to Savoy writer Marjorie Whigham-Desir, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission dismisses about 80 percent of the complaints lodged by citizens against employers believed to be discriminatory. But Whigham-Desir reported that the EEOC has affirmed the group and individual complaints against Xerox, finding that ''reasonable cause exists to believe'' the charges that the plaintiffs have made.

And in case you Bill Clinton-haters out there are wondering, this is the 2002 Bush EEOC, not that old, tired Clinton-era model.

So maybe Rice isn't alone in the Bush White House. Maybe the GOP is slowing veering away from the Republican Party of 1964, which dealt a fatal blow to race relations during the GOP Convention led by Sen. Barry Goldwater's Cow Palace Republicans in San Francisco. These Republicans were so hostile toward blacks that Hall-of-Famer and convention attendee Jackie Robinson said: ''I now believe I know how it felt to be a Jew in Hitler's Germany.''

At least we can take comfort in knowing that the Bush administration, whatever it's other faults may be, doesn't buy into the lies that have blocked qualified blacks from serving at the highest levels of government. Certainly, it's a good sign that Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell hold two of the top four slots in the Bush White House, a point not lost on Rice.

''I think it says to people that there aren't boundaries in which black Americans are not supposed to play,'' she said. ''I think that's an extremely important message to the rest of the world.

''I am African American and proud of it,'' Rice said later. ''I wouldn't have it any other way. I do not believe that it has limited who I am or what I can become.''

Conservative or not, I can respect that. And frankly, it's easier to respect people with whom you disagree when you know you share an appreciation for your common experiences. And so under Teddy Roosevelt's watchful, if skeptical gaze, Condoleezza Rice - a fan of Motown, Clarence ''Gatemouth'' Brown and Kool and the Gang as well as Brahms - gave and gained a lot of respect last week.

David Person's column appears each Friday on the Commentary page. E-mail: davidpe@htimes.com; phone 532-4362.

[docmcb]

"For all the supposed non-Racist whites here, lets get an honest answer to a couple of questions. Would you have a problem with your white daughter marrying someone of a different race, especially a black man? Would you have a problem moving to a middle class all black neighborhood? Or with your neighborhoods suddenly becoming 50% black as a bunch of middle class blacks moved in?"

Answers: No, not if he were a Christian. No, and no.

[mfreddy]

For all the supposed non-Racist whites here


Thanks for giving people the benefit of the doubt. I love people equally, based on their actions not the color of their skin.

I like where I live just fine, I'm not going to move to prove a point to you. Get over yourself.

Talk about viewing the world through negro colored glasses. Why don't you try going through the day as an American instead of an Angry African American?

For you to assume the "whites" here are all racist is pathetic.

[SoCal Pubbie]

""For all the supposed non-Racist whites here, lets get an honest answer to a couple of questions. Would you have a problem with your white daughter marrying someone of a different race, especially a black man? Would you have a problem moving to a middle class all black neighborhood? Or with your neighborhoods suddenly becoming 50% black as a bunch of middle class blacks moved in?""

I live in a pretty diverse neighborhood, despite what the image is of South Orange County. I have had blacks in my home for Thanksgiving dinner. There are a couple of black families that live on my street. If I see black folk that dress like normal people, go to work, etc, I have no worries. If they were baggy pants and cruise by with the music thumping at 2:00 AM then I start to worry.

[Notforprophet]

What are you smoking? The Rats only jumped on to civil rights when it was apparent it would happen anyway. Are you forgetting which party supported Abolition? The southern DEMOCRATS have been racist from the very beginning, and it took a Republican (Lincoln) to free the slaves.

I'm not buying your revisionist tripe.

[Jorge]

For the record, Rice didn't stutter or backtrack at the end of her interview with the Trotter Group. Instead, she did something that black conservatives aren't known for: She publicly acknowledged the reality and validity of the race question.

Since when don't "black conservatives"" publicly acknowledged the reality and validity of the race question."?

They just deny the liberal approach that blacks need entitlements and handouts to make it in the world...all of which ultimately consign them to a permanent underclass status.

Conservatives believe that treating blacks as equals and encouraging them to realize their potential as equals doesn't ignore the race question but is the best approach to overcoming racism and this victimology/poor me mind-set. Go Condi!

[Notforprophet]

Say it with me: "Bush/Rice in 2008!"

(That'd be Jeb on the ticket... not Lauren.)

[where's_the_Outrage?]

Or with your neighborhoods suddenly becoming 50% black as a bunch of middle class blacks moved in

In answer, yes I'd have a problem with 50% black, I'd probably be looking to move elsewhere, while receiving value for my home.

But we have about 12% Black in my neighborhood, we have minimal crime and worst trash affenders are home constuctions.

So welcome all that want a crime free neighborhood.

But if you expect special consideration and understanding, I qualify as a racist.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

For all the supposed non-Racist whites here, lets get an honest answer to a couple of questions. Would you have a problem with your white daughter marrying someone of a different race, especially a black man? Would you have a problem moving to a middle class all black neighborhood? Or with your neighborhoods suddenly becoming 50% black as a bunch of middle class blacks moved in?

My daughter is presently dating an Asian boy, who I quite approve of. She has previously dated a mixed-race black/Asian boy. He was a nice kid, who I had no problems with.

As far as neighborhoods go, if the house I really liked was at a good price in a black, middle class neighborhood, I wouldn't have any problems. If I lived in a neighborhood and a number of black families moved in, again no problem.

[section9]

Say it with me: "Bush/Rice in 2008!"

(That'd be Jeb on the ticket... not Lauren.)

Uh, slight correction...

"Rice/Bush in 2008!" (Jeb! can be the administration Enforcer. Rice is definitely the administration Big Dog, here.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Talk about viewing the world through negro colored glasses. Why don't you try going through the day as an American instead of an Angry African American?

For you to assume the "whites" here are all racist is pathetic.

Har, har! What a maroon! I'm as white as a lily! German-English ethnicity, red-blonde hair and blue eyes, and blue blood showing through the backside of my wrists. Descendant of Charlemagne. Descendant of several General Floyd's of Georgia in various wars. Descendant of a family that owned slaves on a plantation that is now Kings Bay Naval Submarine Station. Almost all my ancestors migrated here prior to the War for Independence. Angry African American my a**!

Since you are obviously historically illiterate, let me inform you of who Hermann the Cherusker was. He was the Germanic prince who defeated Varus and his legions at the battle of the Teutoburger Wald in AD 9. Because of Hermann, we speak English today. Why would a black have such a handle?

Why don't you get over it and admit that you are prejudiced. Every white I've ever met is, and so are most blacks. I am. I want my grandchildren to be white. I don't want to live in a mostly black neighborhood, or have my kids go to a mostly black school. How terrible of me. There's no hatred involved, I just want to be among my own.

If everyone else was honest enough to admit what they really feel about race, instead of pussyfooting around pretending they are unbiased, America would be much better off.

[stands2reason]

If I'm prejudiced why did I ever date a black man?

[Hermann the Cherusker]

I actually grew up in a neighborhood that was 50% black (West Mt. Airy in Philadelphia), with my section tending towards 65% (the Pelham section - Census Tract 237). I didn't have a problem with it - not much crime (though I did receive a few unwelcome incidents) and nice houses and neighbors. But I can't say I'd live there with my children. White people and black people simply live in seperate worlds, even when they live right next door, so I'd be depriving them of most of their opportunities for friendship, simply because it just doesn't happen - children and especially teenagers tend to group up into race based cliques. I know it, because I lived it for 22 years from 1974 to 1995.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Many people like to experiment. Would you really marry a person of a different race, live between two worlds, and have children together? 98% of the country wouldn't, and we'd all be better off if we forthrightly acknowledged the reasons why instead of playing games.

[Ol'Grey Head]

I'm proud to be a racist. Now I can say anything about anyone, without having to worry whether I'm PC enough. It's like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Free at last, good Lord, free at last! I can say or think anything I want about anybody, regardless of their race, religion, creed, or mental disorder.
Opps, I woke up. It was only a dream.

[Sonny M]

To put it all in perspective, if you go to some of the "RAT left wing boards" and lurk, they use more racial terms then I've ever personally seen here at free republic. They use racial terms against anyone who is black and even has moderate feeling or non-negativity. Its hatred is so clearly racial its frightining. The DU'ers have such rage against african americans if they don't follow lock and step. I honestly believe that a liberal would discriminate against a black conservative for a job, if a white applicant, regardless of party affiliation applied. I've known liberals who seem to have the KKK belief of blacks without the hatred. Liberals leftwingers look at minorities and they don't see people of different skin color, they see inferior or mentally retarded people. I know liberals who use every single politically correct word to say that, without coming out and saying its what they think. Examples are the defense of affirmative action with the "well whites will always be okay, if they miss out on a job or a school or whatever, they will still overcome, and be successfull, but if an african american doesn't have something to help them, they can't make it". That type of thinking clearly shows what liberals believe. You'd be shocked at how racists some liberals are, I'm from NYC and I saw in a recent election with the democrats and the subtle implications (fernando ferrer and Mark green, dem primary, and then again, Carl McCall and Andrew Cuomo).

[where's_the_Outrage?]

Let me restate my position, I don't monitor or care what race my neighbor happens to be, what matters is attitude.

If they keep their home ares clean, yard mowed, and don't bother me, I don't give a rat F*uck what race or color you are.

However, if I need understand your history and problems your ansestors had 100 years ago to explain why you can't conform to subdivision standards, I have a problem. Earn my neighorhood, you don't deserve it just because you have a darker complexion than me.

[wardaddy]

1) How would you feel if a group of whites or asians took over your middle class black neighborhood?

2) How would you feel about moving to a middle class white, latino, or asian neighborhood?

3) How would you feel about your black daughter marrying a white boy whether he be an enterprising conservative, a Southern redneck (like me albeit a bit younger), a Latino lad, an Asian engineer perhaps or a nice Ashkenazim Jewish boy?

All this chest thumping on this forum about who's the most sensitive about race grates on my friggin nerves. Many blacks and other minorities exploit this crap for all it's worth and use it as great cover for the consequences of being irresponsible and G-d knows there are a plethora of guilty soft as putty white folks who just roll their spineless asses over and grovel about how damned open minded they are about all the nasty stuff whitey has been doing since Noah .

Well in case you haven't figured it out partner, I ain't one of them. I "try" to treat everyone fair unless I'm given a reason otherwise but no I don't profess to be either colorblind nor do I think my tribe is any better because we are "white". But I do love my peculiar white culture(for better or worse) and I'm not going to denigrate it in order to be accepted as racially "sensitive".

I am a big believer in the concept of shame...G-d knows I've chewed on my share but guilt is way way over-rated and over-used.

And while we are on it....why is it because I would damn right prefer my daughters to marry a Southern White Christian boy preferably from a family I know or that at least has a damn good reputation make me a racist. Hell, this is the way of the world all over. Folks usually marry within certain demographics which are the custom. Look at Jews. I know many Asians whose parents are vehement about this point. Here in the age of MTV social engineering if one does not willing applaud and encourage racial intermarriage then they are somehow first cousin to David Duke.....like it's some kind of duty for white folks to first give the poor black man a leg up through breeding him up(talk about condescending) and secondly to sate the omnipresent 800 pound white guilt gorilla's appetite. I say BullSh!te! I know of no other culture in history that has behaved as such willingly and certainly not out of guilt.

Who somebody wants to sleep with or marry ain't my business but my own family's pursuits in that arena are indeed my business and I feel no compulsion to make that anybody else's for the good graces of political correctness.

I grew up as a boy in the ground zero furnace of civil rights strife when indeed folks were killed not infrequently. My family took a stand and were considered liberal Ni$$er-Lovers back then. Now....my grandpa and dad would be considered racist by wet-behind-the-ears turds that haven't ever risked a damn thing but their lunch money and don't know sh!te from shinola about real racism and tribal violence. I've had my fill of all of that here and around the planet.

This new mantra of having to prove how non-racist a white person is constantly as though we are being measured 24/7 makes me want to puke and the fact that it's become so fashionable on what is allegedly the world's most influential conservative net forum is worse yet. And it's not just about white vs. black. Bring up immigration or calling Islam "not" a religion of peace and you get the same diatribes from the church of the do-gooders here.

Well Hermann, you asked for it son. That was not your usual sensitive FReeper answer now was it? You want honesty...you got it. You can call on me anytime if you want someone who won't kiss your butt.

Respectfully!....("respect"...another grossly overused word that's lost it's intent)

[mfreddy]

My apologies, my mistake. I thought you were an angry black man but you are simply a racist and a separatist. Don't try to include all whites in the same group as your ilk, we don't belong there.

By the way, you have quite the pedigree--you must really be impressed when you look in the mirror.

Your knowledge of European history is quite impressive as well. Don't paint me as illiterate because I don't share your interests. Sounds like you've followed the history of Germany through all the way to Hitler.

America would not be better off if everyone was segregated and "among their own".

Time for you to step away from the computer and put your pointy white hat back on.

I'm leaving for the evening. I wish I could say it was a pleasure but it wasn't.

[wardaddy]

Geez Herman...you should have warned me you were a white male...lol

I wasted a good part of my remaining grey matter on my diatribe above.

My apologies....you can pretend if you like...

That'll teach me a lesson I never learn here: follow the thread before you jump in....