White Backlash and the Right

from OurFuture.org:



White Backlash and the Right
Submitted by David Neiwert on December 4, 2007 - 7:08pm.


Recently the New York Times carried a report on the "noose incidents" that have been occurring with rising frequency around the country, inspired seemingly by the protests over the "Jena 6" case.

The report came complete with a graphic showing where the incidents have occurred. Remarkably, it isn't just happening in the South: the incidents are also being reported in places like Minneapolis; Cicero, Ill.; Pittsburgh; Philadelphia; Newark; Baltimore; and New London, Conn.

Equally striking was the analysis from Mark Potok, the SPLC's Intelligence Project director, who wrote:







Indeed, as Digby observes, "The racist beast is clamoring to be set free." The old once again is new: there's a "new racism" that pretends to be daring new thinking, dashing the molds of political correctness, but really is just the same old shit recycled. And it's not even relegated strictly to the right: Witness, for the most recent example, William Saletan's sally into the rancid fields of eugenics.

That this is happening is acutely clear for African Americans, historically the chief victims of racist hate in America, as the noose episodes suggest. But it's also becoming true on a broader scale as well, with a rising tide of openly espoused ethnic bigotry manifesting itself in myriad ways, particularly on the immigration front, where Latinos are increasingly targeted by rhetoric emanating from the very highest levels of Republican leadership that manifests itself in a tide of hate crimes; and in the "war on terror," which has provided for an opening for a variety of right-wing figures to spew hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric, with similarly predictable consequences. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/white_backlash_and_right?tx=3

Looks like we're going to have to renew the civil rights movement.

of the social ills in this country but remain silent.

i sure can't tell. it has never gone anywhere but, if we don't bring it into the light nobody pays attention. there was an african american gentleman who inherited the mayor job in a south jersy town-the mayor stepped down and he was council president and it fell to him. he has been getting phone calls threatening his life. all kinds of racial epithets. this man is the 2nd generation of his family living in this town. he was later elected mayor but, the crap is still going on. that is just one example. whether i wear a business suit or a pair of jeans-i am followed in the store. there is no new racism, it is the same old stuff. this isn't backlash-people are just sick of it and are tired of turning the other cheek, they are no longer being quiet about it. this makes the majority uncomfortable, the dirty laundry is being hung out for the world to see. racism never went away, we just got tired of complaining.

Welcome to DU!

I wish it wasn't but humans as a species seem to have this inate need to find an individual, a group, an ethnicity that we can dump all our hatred and rage on. It's not racism as such (although this manifestation is), more tribalism, the hatred of those not like ourselves. It seems that the human beings survival needs include food, water and someone to look down on and kick around.

You can see this even in schoolyards. Within a few months of teh new school year, any class of about ten years old and up will have selected their unofficial punching bag to alienate and bully. As we get older, the targets get broader. We move from targetting individuals to targetting groups. Oh, it gets dressed up in all kinds of fancy language, "illegal immigration", "national security", "cultural values" but it's the same thing really. The targets change as fashion dictates, switching from Jews to Roma (my own people) to gays to blacks to Latinos but it's the same old drive.

One has to wonder if humanity has ever really become civilised.

in America began in 1492 when the first whites arrived here.The good ole boys from Europe murdered the natives and stole their land,that seem to be the game plan to bring all people of color to their knees,history is on the side of the oppressed,nothing last forever,one of these lovely mornings the oppressed will become the oppressor,for some that day has been much too long.