On Racism, Cultural Racism & Systemic Racism ~ The KaDoh! Institute

November 12, 2013The Kadoh! Institute, Fact Kheck Krew, The Body PolitiK KrewRacism, Cultural Racism, Ku Klux Klan, Washington Post, Richard Cohen, Harry Belafonte, Governor Christie, New Jersey, David DukeThe Kadoh! Institute

Richard Cohen, Columnist for the Washington Post has penned the attached Opinion Column in the Washington Post.
In his column, Mr. Cohen carefully explains that,

Today’s GOP is not racist, as Harry Belafonte alleged about the tea party, but it is deeply troubled — about the expansion of government, about immigration, about secularism, about the mainstreaming of what used to be the avant-garde. People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York — a white man married to a black woman and with two biracial children. (Should I mention that Bill de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, used to be a lesbian?) This family represents the cultural changes that have enveloped parts — but not all — of America. To cultural conservatives, this doesn’t look like their country at all.
As with the Dixiecrats, the fight is not over a particular program — although Obamacare comes close — but about a tectonic shift of attitudes. I thank Dennis J. Goldford, professor of politics and international relations at Drake University in Des Moines, for leading me to a live performance on YouTube of Merle Haggard singing “Are the Good Times Really Over.” This chestnut, a lament for a lost America, has been viewed well more than 2 million times. It could be the tea party’s anthem.
For all his positions and religious beliefs, Christie is too Joisey for the tea party — too brash, as well. He would be wise to steer clear of Iowa lest he lose or, worse, follow Romney and take on the deeply conservative coloration of the state’s GOP. That might make him (barely) acceptable to Republican Iowans but anathema to the rest of us.”

So I took the time to register (thanks for making it easy Washington Post & Facebook!) and comment.
I linked in an article from the American Psychological Association which explains that Cultural Racism is indeed a “thing.”

For the record, I like Governor Christie.  I think he will be a nominee for the President.  I think he could make a race of the next election.  I do not like the party to which he belongs.
From the historical record, it’s quite possible the country will shift a bit rightward, as we typically don’t elect the same party to the Presidency 3 times in a row.
That has happened once in my lifetime, and President Bush then lost to then nominee, President Clinton.
The problem as I see it is that the calculus is changing.  When you have prominent columnists who are so blase about Cultural racism, it’s astounding.
When the prominent politicians kow-tow to Cultural Racists it’s worse than disheartening.  It’s threatening.
Out here in California we see you racists for what you are.  And that’s racists.  And I cannot vote in good conscious for a racist.   Period.
Sorry that you feel the “country isn’t your country anymore” or whatever alienation you feel.  Perhaps you missed out on some standard Americana in your upbringing.
This poem explains my upbringing here in California.

The California Kid
Hello, there
Nice to meet you
I am California Kid,
Standard issue
Raised to respect my elders
Take care of the disabled
Help the poor
Do unto others as you’d have done unto you
Live and let live
Respect the Constitution
Honor veterans in our midst
Celebrate mom, baseball & apple pie
Pay taxes as due (grumbling under breath)
Work hard, play hard
Oh yes, don’t be racist, or discriminate
Combine that all and you have me
Moderate of practicality
Mixed with synergy
Standard Issue
Here in Great Central Valley

Try not to be racist, that might help.
I would hope that Mr. Cohen would consider the cultural racism in the GOP, and revise his opinion.     But I do not know if he is an impartial journalist at heart, or a Conservative.
I do believe that the Cultural Racism is part and partial of Mr. Cohen due to his own words in the article.  Including the ending sentence as to why Governor Christie is unacceptable, even anethema to him.

That might make him (barely) acceptable to Republican Iowans but anathema to the rest of us.

Once again Mr. Cohen.  Cultural racism exists, and you in your own words embrace it, finding a candidate who doesn’t hold such values as “anathema.”
I will defend Mr.  Cohen’s right to express his racism verbally.  I will defend the rest of our right to counter his offensive language with our own free speech, and document the indemic racism in his “Opinion Column.”
And regulate as necessary to keep people free from physical harm from such racists.  You know, the KKK, Aryan Brotherhood and the like.
Afterall the GoP is the party that allowed David Duke (Grand Wizard of the KKK),  to run for Congress in their party, and Lousiana is the state that elected him to the House.
I do believe that racism is systemic in the GOP.  Sorry if you believe that is not true.
Good day.