The sad truth about our racial politics
Whenever the mainstream media wants to know what the African American community is thinking, they invariably go to the usual old, left-wing voices, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, as if they speak for all black people.
How much better would the debate about improving education, about dealing with high rates of unemployment and crime in black America if black America allowed itself the freedom of an honest, balanced approach to those issues that was open to conservative views?
Imagine the new vitality in the political discourse inside black America if serious weight was given to the ideas of people like Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Transportation William Coleman and professors Walter E. Williams and Thomas Sowell?
Instead, these brilliant people, apparently including RGIII, are dismissed as “Uncle Toms” or “cornball” brothers and sisters.
Blowback
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Okay, whoever you are: we will pay the ransom. Just return Juan Williams to us safely.
truth2power on December 21, 2012 at 6:51 PM
Squirrel. Acorn.
ConservativeLA on December 21, 2012 at 6:52 PM
Once in a while he finds a nut, though it’s not a habit.
the_nile on December 21, 2012 at 6:53 PM
First, they have to want a job! How does one think eleven million illegals found them?
OldEnglish on December 21, 2012 at 6:59 PM
This is the kind of thing that got him kicked off of NPR.
Hosanna on December 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM
I think, above all, we should listen to tall people. Because tall people are smart. We have this resource … tall people … a national treasure, and it’s sadly underutilized. That’s my experience.
/NAATP
Paul-Cincy on December 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Like Kirsten Powers Juan occasionally surfaces for air.
The unfortunate reality is that they are both libs who always revert to the old talking points.
Hey, Juan…. don’t like your old, embarrassing race-baiters? Get busy. It’s YOUR job…. not mine. As soon as anyone else enters this arena you will be whining and crying.
Here’s another idea, Juan, throw a little support to Tim Scott. Oh, that’s right. You couldn’t get behind Allen West.
Until you can cross that line, shut up.
Cody1991 on December 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Required reading:
Race and Economics: How Much Can Be Blamed on Discrimination?
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy
Etc…
visions on December 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Now I adore him. Hail to the Redskins!
Sgt. Vulcha
Ladysmith CulchaVulcha on December 21, 2012 at 7:03 PM
Griffin is a role model.
CW on December 21, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Wait, did I just fall into some alternative Universe, or did Juan Williams just write something reasonable?
Mr Galt on December 21, 2012 at 7:30 PM
0bama has been objectively worse for black economics and freedom than any other president in history, yet they voted for him near 100%.
Welcome to the new tribal America, where skin color trumps all.
Rebar on December 21, 2012 at 7:34 PM
Why should he? Because he’s black? You’re as much of a race-baiter as anybody on MSNBC.
Essentially you’re saying that no blacks unless they are conservatives are worthy enough to be heard.
Prove me wrong.
Scott and West are miles apart. West is a one-term congressman known as a bomb-thrower. Scott is a serious politician with a serious future.
Take off your race-blinders. You sound like Jesse.
Capitalist Hog on December 21, 2012 at 7:36 PM
Indeed.
Ladysmith CulchaVulcha on December 21, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Don’t be ridiculous. What I’m saying is that Juan needs to step up his game. The same is true for other liberals regardless of their race. But Juan and other blacks have a definite role to play.
Tim Scott will play his. He can reach people in a way that I cannot. Juan could too if he could manage to emerge from his cosseted life style.
Juan can spout off all he wants, but he isn’t serious.
I live in SC, and I know a lot about Time Scott. Before you start throwing your own bombs about “race blinders” you might give it a second thought. You’re way out of line.
Cody1991 on December 21, 2012 at 7:45 PM
You’re always so reasoned.
/
CW on December 21, 2012 at 7:53 PM
That’s not what you said. Say what you mean. You had no problem stating it clearly this time.
What you made clear was your requirement that people speak alike because they look alike.
Juan Williams is not the guy I want speaking out for Tim Scott. I don’t care what color he is.
Now that is funny. Well-played.
Capitalist Hog on December 21, 2012 at 8:03 PM
I don’t have to give second thought to your foolish remarks.
Living in SC doesn’t lend anymore credence to what you’re saying than being black gives credence to what Juan Williams says.
Capitalist Hog on December 21, 2012 at 8:05 PM
At least you admit that you parse your expectations racially.
Capitalist Hog on December 21, 2012 at 8:05 PM
So….. you have a reading comprehension problem. No surprise.
Cody1991 on December 21, 2012 at 8:07 PM
My only quibble is I that wouldn’t expect a liberal like Juan Williams to support conservatives any more than I would ask, say, Sean Hanniy to support Mayor Bloomberg.
Ladysmith CulchaVulcha on December 21, 2012 at 8:49 PM
You essentially say what I say without the sack behind it. The only qualification he gives for wanting that is race. I’m sure you’ll reject the notion. Don’t care, don’t know you. You’ve already made my point.
Feel free to smack me down for presuming too much. That’s exactly the type of thing I complain about in others. Not that you need my permission. Now I’m just typing words. Stopping…now.
Capitalist Hog on December 22, 2012 at 1:34 AM