Hey, That's Racist

Rationalization theater.

This story from the Colorado Independent is shocking in two big ways. First, the fact that someone thought it was ok to display a noose in an office environment.  Second, the level of rationalization acrobatics taking place by the perpetraitors trying to explain away their racism.

What year is it again? 2.0

After the news about a Louisiana judge refusing to perform interracial marriages earlier this month, I figured I had my Loving v. Virginia reference out of the way for at least the year.  Turns out a Facebook friend of the RNC proves me wrong.

Perhaps no one noticed. Perhaps no one cared. But hours after a liberal news forum brought attention to a series of controversial photos on the Republican National Committee’s Facebook page, the photos were finally taken down.

Among them was a picture of President Barack Obama eating fried chicken, subtitled with a call to prohibit interracial marriage. The photo’s caption read: “Miscegenation is a CRIME against American Values. Repeal Loving v. Virginia.” [the raw story]

There are so many things wrong with this.  Perhaps a list is in order.

1. It’s racist as fuck.
2. You don’t “repeal” Supreme Court decisions, you repeal laws.  Court decisions can be overturned, but good luck on this one fuckwit.
3. Your big example of how terrible miscegenation is is the President of the United States?  Because he seems to be doing alright, from what I can tell.
4. OMG Black people + fried chicken = hilarious.  Except, the opposite.

Now, I know that anyone can post anything as fan photos on Facebook.  I’m not suggesting the RNC is behind this, although they might want to be a little more vigilant about screening.  But this level of discourse, where keybord + internet = insane racist rants focused on the President has got to end.  It’s sickening.

What year is it again?

Because in Louisiana, a Justice of the Peace is refusing to marry interracial couples, for the children.

“I’m not a racist. I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way,” Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. “I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else.” [...]

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

Ah, once again we see “I’m not a racist, BUT (incredibly racist thing.)”  And hey, he lets his black friends use his toilet!  That is probably the most hilarious instance of Black Friend Fallacy I’ve ever seen.  Sorry buddy, but the Supreme Court sided against you in Loving v. Virginia, all the way back in 1963.  You’re a public servant.  If a couple meets the statutory requirements for marriage in Louisiana, you marry them.  That’s your job, asshole.

Oh, red state.

I try to take it easy with posting stuff from Red State, because, seriously, not enough time in the world y’all.  But I couldn’t avoid commenting on this bit of semi-subtle racism about Obama winning the Nobel Prize.

I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota for it, but that is the only thing I can think of for this news.

Now, I’ll agree there can be reasonable discussion about Obama’s qualifications for the NPP.  However, implying that anytime a person of color is awarded something it’s because of “quotas” or “affirmative action” is a pretty dismal level of discourse.  Not that I’d expect much better from RS.

Man posts incredibly racist sign, claims not to be racist.

Check out this video of a business owner in Georgia and his incredibly racist sign.  Lesson time – when you say racist things, that makes you a racist.  It’s not commentary, or dialogue, or any of the other things you try to claim it is, because that kind of loaded and bigoted language never opens a dialogue.  Also, there’s a mannequin wearing a KKK outfit in the bar.  Fail.