"I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother..."
I recently reread this old Obama comment (via Althouse) regarding Reverend Wright. Not to mention Wright's own racist comments, Obama seems to be a racist in and of himself. Imagine if McCain said the following:
"I can no more disown him than I can disown the white community. I can no more disown him than I can my black grandmother..."
Racist? A little. The double standard here is a little ridiculous.
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4 comments:
How is either statement (the one Obama made or the hypothetical one you have McCain making) racist?
Are you claiming that it is racist to simply state different races aloud?
Also, how can you claim that there is a double standard if McCain has not been chided for making a statement such as the hypothetical one you pose? We can't know if a double standard exists if there hasn't been a situation to test it out.
Finally, if McCain's grandmother had indeed been black, given his age, he would be considered black as well, as the freedom for mixed-raced persons do define themselves as they choose is a relatively recent phenomenon (The last census was the first that allowed people to check more than one race box; well after the Civil War, race remained a clear factor in one's legal status--rights and privileges--at least up to Loving v. Virginia in 1967. The "one drop rule" had de jure significance, as well as de facto). This is not merely a curious fact, but rather highlights the notion that there cannot be a double standard because McCain couldn't have said the same thing because of the history of race in this country.
Yes, race is a social construct, and those who assert biological differences exist or express a desire for some notion of racial purity are racist. That doesn't change the fact that social constructs have power, and affect the lived experiences of people.
(All this is moot, however, because this comment will surely not be posted, or, if posted, refuted--such is your right on your blog. Not much changes in people.)
Neither. You bring up a valid point. One which I find a hard time refuting. I won't block your comment just because you made a good point.
and to make a valid comparison wouldn't McCain have to have a black grandmother?
yes. that was assumed.
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