Liberty Postings

racist — 1. someone who holds a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race, 2. someone who practices racial prejudice or discrimination

(From the Merriam Webster online dictionary)

Rush Limbaugh is once again being pegged as a racist and this time the claim is denying him an attempt to become part-owner of the St. Louis Rams.  The problem is that much of the outrage leveled against Rush Limbaugh is based on publicized quotes that have been proven to be erroneous.  Seriously, is there no real journalism anymore?  You know, where reporters check facts and other wacky stuff like that.  If you are going to claim someone is devisive and a bigot and that is your reason for keeping him an arm’s distance from the NFL, at least be accurate in your supporting evidence.

Even now that the quotes receiving the most attention have been shown to have no grounding in reality, I have heard some athletes and pundits say something to the effect of, “Well, it’s just easy to believe those are his words because it sounds like something he would say!”  There’s a shaky defense taken right from the Dan Rather playbook!

Limbaugh often makes statements with the intentional purpose of getting people riled up.  No doubt about it.  I’m pretty sure he enjoys it.  And, no one will ever accuse him of being politically correct.  But, please give me an example of a racist (see definition above) statement that he has made … that you know he has made.  Or, is the reality that “racist” has become the most powerful label to throw on someone because such an accusation, whether substantiated or not, causes the one who stands accused to cower and apologize?  The cries for forgiveness must commence in earnest as soon as you see Al Sharpton heading your way.

Many pundits said that the election of President Obama would open up a new dialogue on race in our country.  Apparently not.  Instead, the automatic response concerning anyone who opposes the President’s policies?  Must be a racist!  To be sure, there are some people in this country who dislike our president solely because of his skin color.  These are the neanderthals who pause for a moment when making their beds in the morning and call out to their spouses in the next room, “Hey, hon, you know what?  These here sheets would make a neat man dress and hat!  Should I cinch it with a belt or just leave it all flowy-like?”  The truth is, though, that … OK, get ready … most people who are opposed to the policy efforts of President Obama have reached this opinion with no consideration of his skin color.

I think that racism is a repugnant characteristic.  I have zero tolerance for determining your relationships with, and behavior towards, people of other races based on skin color or ethnic background.  Such closed-mindedness actually makes my stomach turn.  That may sound a bit dramatic, but it’s true.

On the other hand, I think it is also disgraceful to tag a person as “racist” without serious consideration and merit.  It seems that such throwing down the “racist” gauntlet is now too often just a cheap move that is meant to back political opponents into a defensive corner.   It does nothing but help to marginalize the real prejudice that still exists in this country.  Take a cue from the famous children’s story — when you become the pundit/NFL commissioner/political opponent/member of Congress who always cries “racism,” people will stop listening (hopefully).