The NAACP convention (above) has condemned what it calls Tea Party racism. AP Photo
The existence of racism in the Tea Party, or a lack thereof, has been a matter of debate for nearly a year now. The debate renewed again this week when the NAACP issued a resolution condemning Tea Party racism. The leaders of the NAACP pointed to Tea Party signs, racial epithets allegedly yelled at black congressmen, and a poll showing a majority of Tea Partiers believe the problems of minorities are overblown.
The Tea Party has not taken the criticism lightly. The St. Louis Tea Party passed their own resolution condemning the NAACP for "hypocritically engaging in the same conduct they purport to oppose." They called the NAACP resolution "bigoted, false, and inflammatory." In addition, the Tea Party has argued that no video proof has emerged of the alleged racial epithets hurled at congressmen during the health care debate.
So who has the better argument?
Words matter and in the case the word "racism" matters tremendously. Look up any defnition of racism and one will find something along the lines of "the belief that one racial group is superior to another." So does the Tea Party reflect an attitude of racial superiority?
First let us look to the evidence supporting the Tea Party argument. To this date no video or audio evidence has emerged of Tea Party leaders espousing the superiority of the white race or calling African-Americans inherently inferior. The "smoking gun" which surely would be published if found, has not thus far emerged. In addition, Tea Partiers are correct in saying no video evidence exist showing African-American congressmen being called the "N-word" or being spat upon. At least three congressmen have said they were yelled or spat at, but the Tea Party argues they were making it up in order to drum up support in the middle of the health care debate. Neo-Nazis and KKK members have not been welcome at Tea Party meetings, and one apparent racist was confronted and kicked out of a Tea Party protest in St. Louis. Finally, Tea Partiers generally say they believe in equality of the races, and have condemned racism many times.
However, liberals argue the racism of the Tea Party takes on a more subtle and stealthy form. Everyone but the most extreme of hate groups disavows racism, but for liberals the proof comes from one's actions. The Tea Party certainly does not qualify as an openly racist organization like the KKK, but liberals argue they tolerate a racist attitude within their ranks. For evidence they point to videos like the one below which feature Teas Party signs with arguably racist themes including:
"Obama's Plan: White Slavery"
"Obama was NOT bowing. He was SUCKING Saudi JEWELS."
"Stand idle while some Kenyan tries to destroy America? WAP! I don't think so!!! HOMEY DON'T PLAY DAT!!!"
"Whoa boys I'll take it from here" (In the background are terrorists carrying AK-47's and planes flying over skyscrapers)
"Slave owner taxpayer = N***ar" (This sign was allegedly photoshopped by one Tea Party website)
"Save white America"
"Obamacare" (with of Obama half-naked dressed as a witch doctor in the background)
"Obama-nomics. Monkey see, Monkey Spend." (with monkey faces drawn in the background)
"Beware of dog" (With a picture of President Obama with enlarged lips in the background)
"The zoo has an African and the White House has a lyin' African" (with a picture of a lion in the background)
"Impeach the Kenyan"
"Gimme yo Change" (with a picture of President Obama with a mohawk dressed like Mr. T in the background)
Now none of these pictures explicitly say "the white race is superior and that is why we oppose the President." However they do reflect an element of the Tea Party which is allowed to openly convey messages which, at the very least, have a racial tinge. If you asked many of the people holding these signs, and other Tea Party members if they were racist they would likely say no. They would probably even be appalled that they were asked they question, but that does not mean that racist beliefs were not influencing their actions.
Keith Olbermann (if you do not like the source at least consider the thought) may have put it best when he explained that everyone has some racist beliefs (including himself). Decades of institutionalized racism have had an effect which did not completely go away simply because the laws outlawed racial discrimination. Just like one's desire for sweets does not go away with a diet, our arguably natural tendencies towards racism do not simply go away with new laws. Many people believe that African-Americans are even racist against themselves through a concept called internalized racism. As Olbermann explained, we may have tamed racism to some degree, but we never eradicated it.
In addition, we may do more harm than good by pretending it no longer exists in us. The first step to any recovery process, after all, is self-awareness. We can deny that we have any racism, but if any of us really looked deeply into our actions, our omissions, and our words we would see that we are affected by our beliefs on race.
For liberals, part of the problem is the Tea Party's unwillingness to acknowledge this racism. Because in denying the existence of the disease, the NAACP and others argue the Tea Party allows it to grow which makes the problem worse.
The perception of the Tea Party also suffers when one of their leading candidates argues against the provisions of the Civil Rights Act (only to later revise his comments). When Tom Tancredo is allowed to open up the Tea Party Convention by suggesting a return to the literacy test (a tool used to keep African-Americans from voting for decades), this also lends itself to the "they are racist" argument. After fighting so hard against institutionalized racism for decades, the NAACP is understandably on guard against any steps backward and those measures could certainly be interpreted as such.
So perhaps the better response from the Tea Party might have been something like, "Yes we have some racism, as does everyone, but we condemn and we pledge to fight it in ourselves wherever we find it." In denying any racism within their ranks, the Tea Party may have simply confirmed what the NAACP was pointing out.
Comments
I don't care if fatty NAACP President Ben Jealous uses this as an opportunity to have his 5 minutes of fame or politick.
I don't care if Sarah Man Jaw Palin is in complete denial minus
her latest drill baby drill lobotomy. She's old, give her a break.
I don't care if Rand Runny Mouth Paul isn't as intelligent as his credentials indicate. I only care that the true message of t party politics and the conservative right isn't affected by these inbred idiots. Theparty puports itself to be educated and intelligent. These folks? Educated, I think not unless you count diploma mills and rote
The Republicrats have to brand the Tea Party as racist. They have nowhere else to go. They have no useful ideas, no direction and no clue.
They have to use thought stopping techniques like branding the Tea Party to be racist. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Most Americans are fed up with the status quo. It's either join a third party which recognizes their grievances, or begin the spilling of blood in the streets. Isn't the Tea Party, the better alternative?
Palin was taken to task by the left for using the word "loaded" and such. The racist head Ben Jealous said "we need to gather the troops".
Where is the backlash?
This is just another desparation move by the frantic Left, who are once again facing a loss of popularity due solely to their own stupidity. The solution? Blame someone else. Are the 4 years old?
Here are some equally valid and equally relevant questions about racism:
Are there racists in the NAACP?
Are there racists in the Democrat Party?
Are there racists in the Dept of Justice?
Are there racists in the New Black Panthers?
Are there racists in the ACLU?
Are there racists in the Obama White (gotta change dat name) House?
Are there racists in the Rainbow Coalition?
I could go on, but the point is; the answer to all these questions is: Who give a flying f**k?
The existence of racists is only relevant if your are on a witch hunt to distract people from something much more pressing and (for the Democrats in November) much more dangerous.
Well you slimy little pieces of s**t. You buttered your bread, and in about 2 1/2 months we're going to force feed it to you.
The left of this country is in total denial. They have lost all sense of reality. Blue is no longer blue it is red. Up is down.
The absolute desperation of the NAASCP to pull what seems to be the ultimate trump RACE CARD, shows their quiver is empty. They have NOTHING else but to continue the LIES of the nagger word and the spitting that NEVER HAPPENED.
It must be tough to be so illegitimate and so inconsequential as a group. Quite sad this is what the NAASCP has degraded to.
Using this racist organization's theory, looking at that picture it is all blacks which by their standard means they ARE A RACIST ORGANIZATION!
A NAASCP attorney DEFENDED the SEIU THUG that beat up a black man in a wheelchair and then called Mr Gladney an Uncle Tom for not being on the same plantation!
Who are the racists?
Stan what color Pajamajeans are you going to wear to the big rally? Let's color coordinate!
Well, several racist websites claim to be part of or at least support the Tea Party "movement". Having those types of people and organizations in your mix never does any good for one's reputation. I'd say on the whole, the majority of these Tea types are not inherently racist, but many lurk amongst them, and like the NAACP suggest, they should actively denounce such language, behavior, imagery, etc. It's just good P.R.
But the NAACP doesn't have to? Their message is more and more based on racial hate and bigotry and that's alright? The New Black Panthers and Rev. Wright (and his ilk, oh wait, that's the president) get a pass? Sheesh...
Hmmm...says: "...many lurk amongst them???" What evidence do you have for this? Wait...I'll tell you: NONE.
Hmmm: "and like the NAACP suggest, they should actively denounce such language, behavior, imagery, etc."
Like an exclusively black organization dedicated to the advancement of people based not on their character, but on the color of their skin suggests; the Tea Party movment - an organization dedicated to equality under law, honest governance; fiscal responsibility and the protection of constitutional rights for all people; having no membership restrictions; should denounce what everyone everywhere already accepts as dispicable?
Is that what you mean?
Hmmm: "It's just good P.R."
You mean its just good P.C. grovelling before the pandering hypocrites of the thought police.
The is a straw man issue. Since the day a majority of white Americans elected a black President, we have been bludgeoned with racist accusations.
Ironic.
Hmm... says: BLAH BLAH BLAH LIE LIE LIE
It is so embarrassing and sad that this once great group has devolved into the black version of the KKK!
Be Jealous is the whitest soulbrother I've ever seen.
He sticks out like a turd in a punchbowl in that picture above.
Was his negro dna content checked before he was ordained Grand Poohbah of the NAACP, or is this just another case of whitey stealing a job from a black man?
Tea Party organizers should have addressed the signage prior to any rally. Lack of professionalism distracts the message and affects the end result.
NAACP should work hard in trying to disolve their own racism language within their own organization. Grand standing strong messages about the "white people" perpetuates racism and fuels hate. I would assume that the NAACP’s goal is to achieve a nation with mutual respect. Groups such as the Black Panthers and the KKK destroy the minds of a few and we as a collective majority/ all races should work hard to stomp out such groups. We will never be a nation of peace without respect and professionalism in our relations with other groups. White Americans which have resided in America in 1965 should be more sensitive to the fact that 45 years ago was not so far away.
Tea Party organizers should have addressed the signage prior to any rally. Lack of professionalism distracts the message and affects the end result.
NAACP should work hard in trying to disolve their own racism language within their own organization. Grand standing strong messages about the "white people" perpetuates racism and fuels hate. I would assume that the NAACP’s goal is to achieve a nation with mutual respect. Groups such as the Black Panthers and the KKK destroy the minds of a few and we as a collective majority/ all races should work hard to stomp out such groups. We will never be a nation of peace without respect and professionalism in our relations with other groups. White Americans which have resided in America in 1965 should be more sensitive to the fact that 45 years ago was not so far away.
OK Stan if you wear the blue Pajamajeans I promise to wear a red pair. Then if we can talk TPPM to wear a red pair of Pajamjeans we will stand together as the Superpatriotic trio that we are! I'm wearing black converse sneakers so I can be as formal/silly as Glenn himself. Gosh this is going to be one heck of a rally in DC! See you fellas!
You have to do better than this. How about we have a contest of your Tea Party signs and then give equal opportunity for a few black panthers, NAACP speaches,... I think it would be no contest who here is really hung up on race. Ready for the challenge?
This sounds more like an increasingly irrelevant and corrupt organization is trying desperately to reinvigorate their base as the fall election looms. Things look so bad for would-be messiah Obama that democrats have to bring out the only big gun they have left; race. They are losing every where else, on immigration, on taxes, on energy, on health care and all they have left is race. Their only hope is to throw it around a lot and hope some thing sticks.
The obama Regime and it's NAACP cronies is doing all it can to foment a race war in this country.
Today there's no excuse to quote from 'signs' or 'threats' that NOBODY HAS VIDEOED! They're simply lying. It's ridiculous to hold the entire group responsible even if some idiot showed up with signs like he described.
This 'racism' cry is the left's ongoing desperate attempt to rally this part of their base with hatred and fear. Disgusting.
80% of the video shown on this site as evidence were critical of Obama, but had nothing to do with race. And none of them said what this nut from the NAACP said.
It's just propaganda that Witt's helping to spread for the left.
The tea party is not recist they are only saying Obama neads to go back where he came from.He is not a American and should not be President.The NAACP is just trying to make the Tea Party look bad to the people of this county.By saying it is recist.But it will not work the tea party is trying get taxes down and make it. better in this county
After watching this 5 and half minute video, it is clear that equality under the law, fisical responsibility and limited govt. is the tea parties primary objectives.
What the hell was the leader of the NAACP thinking for accusing the tea party group as racist? It blows my mind. He is clearly the racist for making such a crazy accusation.
Lets be real, give or take a few lynchings and roots that stem from a war that was fought over slavery and the NAACP is exactly like the black version of the KKK. They are clearly the racist, not this wonderful grass roots organization.
The left is really in DENIAL here...
I WATCH FOX NEWS!!
Whatever is up with everyone being named "Shabazz"? Is that the new "Jamal"?
Where was this so-called patriotic tea party to complain when the Republicans were in office and many things were clearly not good for the country. A highly-qualified African-American becomes president and all of a sudden all the inner bigotry comes to the surface. The tea party does have some justified complaints,but if they really want to call themselves patriotic and American, they should start by kicking out anyone who has the offensive signs and language that we have seen. If they don't, they don't have a right to call themselves patriotic Americans.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!