Racism is a soul-eater, and God doesn't like it, either.

I hope we see you back here soon!

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

The first mistake was adding God to the headline.

What if there isn't one of those?

Mata-I'm in Marfa with very limited internet access and am working on my battery so I cann't continue this conversation. I look forward to reading your upcoming columns with pleasure when I return.

The assassin ation attempt was part of a larger planned spree, accoring to the news this morning -- which would have left over 100 dead.

The Southern Poverty law Center ( http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2008/10/27/skinheads... ) has this to say (and more)One of the suspects, Cowart, is a known member of a new skinhead hate group, the Supreme White Alliance (SWA), formed at the beginning of 2008, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. He attended a Hitler’s Birthday party held last April by the group.SWA is headed by Steven Edwards, son of Ron Edwards, who leads the Imperial Klans of America.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

You raise an excellent point about how we usually judge without noticing. The dynamics of racism are both deliberate and assumptive -- some people say things deliberately to fan the hidden flames, and others just assume that what they say is acceptable. In any case, it is a complex thing, and worthy of calling up into the light for fair and healing discussion.

As you so accurately say -- -it's about healing.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

I take your point that there has been a focus (as in a few articles) on race. I think that is a good thing. For me, I take great hope in the fact that we ARE discussing the issue, as opposed to letting it be the rhino in the livingroom that no one talks about but that everyone knows is there.

Thanks for mentioning the diversity at the Obama rallies. It is true. And it is good.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

I have noticed the focus of race in many of boghers blogs as well.

If you look you will find negatives in any  campaign, thats politics.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but I see diversity at Obama rally's.

It's beautiful and needs a little more recognition.

For a campaign based on hope I see a lot of focus on hopelessness.  

Particularly disturbing is the news today that ATF has foiled an assassination attempt against Obama and other black leaders by skinheads.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8-DEMtAE9q4i4y...

Words are always limiting. You can only say so much and then we can always look at what has been left out and then argue the case on what has been left out.

We just pick on what we see or don't see, and then we go for winning or losing an argument.
That way I think we all lose.

I go for the win/win in this post and look at what I feel is the gist behind this post and I chose to hear you say this, Mata,

"We lose a chance at being the sister or brother to those meant to be
our sisters and brothers. We violate the entire human family".

And that counts for everywhere where we judge another human being and as we usually judge without noticing, it is good to bring our attention to that kind of judging that exists.

Wilma Ham

www.wilmasblog.com ( http://www.wilmasblog.com/ )

I agree that the term racist is "packed". It has deep meaning. That is why I made sure when I wrote that I said the following:

There is a full and very complex spectrum of attitudes about race in play in this election. So let me start by telling you what I am NOT saying.
I am not saying that anyone voting for McCain is racist.
I am not saying that everyone voting for Obama is NOT racist.

(after the video link) And yes, I know -- am am thankful -- that is not a representation of ALL McCain supporters.

I pointed out that the racist conversation was overheard by A friend of mine in this liberal Massachusetts town,

I point out that because I am white I get to hear more of the ugly stuff. (At least once, until I speak back.) And this is in flaming liberal Massachusetts

My faith tells me that the human community is more important than whatever splinter groups with whom we choose to identify. So if you are conservative and I am liberal, we are both still sister human beings who need to figure out how to talk and live together in peace. Life is so short, you know? I think racism is a deep spiritual wound, one that has become inbred from overuse. It may take a different face on a liberal than on a conservative, but it is what it is no matter who expresses it.

I think the place we should be spending time, you and I, is in figuring out what to do about it. So, where do we begin? Let us be wise together.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Good Morning, Mata H-

I just read your reply and Nordette's and must say that somehow I have the feeling I'm shadowboxing. I asked you to back up your argument. I did not ask nor do I wish to engage in a discussion with your ally.

My point in pushing the discussion about names is that when you write columns for public discussion positing conservatives (or anyone else for that matter) are racists and are pursuing racist tactics, you should be prepared to back it up with something more than simple assertion. You called a phrase I used "packed." Calling people racist is also packed. More, it's inflamatory and divisive and does nothing to promote dialogue.

You are a good writer with an interesting and distinctive voice.  Use it wisely.

Nordette can help you identify the names you seek, if that is what you want.

But let me ask you this first -- in your opinion, how can you and I best move this discussion forward in a way that will produce understanding?

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Thanks for trying with me and others to move the dialogue forward. We all have to start talking more about this openly, because it won't go away on its own...we all have a lot to learn from each other -- if we listen. (Great poem by the way!!)

Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Mata H--

Perhaps I should go into more detail about the column so you can can understand what prompted my response. 

The first few paragraphs are generalizations about race and the assertion that some people use accusations about his religion or ancestry as a proxy for race hatred.

Interesting premise.  I read on although although I tend to object to a mythical/religious tone in describing a politician.  Like the Vatican, I want to see the miracles before I confer sainthood. But that aside.

Your next, longer paragrah describes, again, in a quasi-religious tone, the celebration of Barack Obama "the dawn of a new day, a new kind of hope." You include yourself in this group.

Then you begin your next paragrah by saying "Then there are those on the far other end of the spectrum." Now, who would those people be? Conservatives? You go on to allow that the incident at the rally is not a representation of "ALL" McCain supporters.  Is it then representative of  MOST of McCain supporters?  A LOT of McCain's supporters? HALF of McCain's supporters?

You then cite personal or re-told accounts of racism, in themselves pretty bad, but anecdotal. (And, by the way, not necessarily supportive of your point regarding using religion as a proxy for race hatred. These anecdotes seem pretty clearly racist to me.)

God, having been been on the periphery of your discussion, now comes into it with both feet. No problem here, although you seem to be getting fairly far away from your argument regarding religion as a proxy for race hatred.

Next, you produce several quotes from bloggers. One regarding the so-called Bradley effect which Michael Barone has questioned. (He says a number of other things were going on in that race that reduced Bradley's lead. But I don't want to get into that here.) The second quotes Colin Powell and seems to be the single most substance you adduce in support of your religious/racism argument.  However, if you want to hang it on that thin reed, fine with me.

Finally, you produce the Heidi quote which plainly says conservatives are fanning the flames of religion/race hatred.  Having produced it in support of your argument, I must assume you agree with it.

So, basically you've produced a couple of opinions about the religious/race hating issue.  But throughout the column, you hint broadly and then use a quote to state flatly that conservatives are behind the effort.

I don't see that as "dialogue." I'd like to see you back it up with something more than assertions or opinion. So, yes, I'd like to see you name names.

I especially liked his phrase "the strange, complex and ever-changing racial dynamics of America." We are in flux. Things are changing.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Mata, in 2005, long before this election season, I made a similar case in a poem with essay "Behind the Color Blind" ( http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id... ), that racism is connected to spiritual dysfunction, and I'm sure others can argue rightfully that racist attitudes are psychological as well.  I think the belief that some people have that they are superior to others based on their ethnicity indicates a self-esteem problem, but it's also rooted fear of the other.

My poem and essay was less ecumenical than what you say here because I came strictly from a Christian perspective in it. Growing up in the south, I've heard the Bible used to justify racist policies and attitudes. If anyone wants evidence of that part of history, I suggest consulting books at the library.

You make your point even more universally spiritual and that's good.  

Also, I think you were very clear when you began that you were not pointing fingers at anyone based on political affiliation. Nevertheless, you did not ignore that some of those fomenting racial unrest oppose Barack Obama's bid for the presidency. By extension, many seem to be conservatives. Facts are facts.

Maria Niles did an excellent job covering the racist rhetoric rising in this election season in her post at this link at Blogher ( http://www.blogher.com/political-rhetoric-race-and... ). And I applauded in one of my posts here ( http://www.blogher.com/americas-dark-night-soul-il... ) those conservatives who acknowledge that the more recent divisive tenor of the McCain/Palin campaign is wrong.  I've been concerned, as you have, about the ugliness of this election in terms of divisiveness.  Two other people commented there.

Your post, Mata, is not divisive unless one argues that whenever you compare and contrast you divide.

I think sometimes people don't want to hear the truth and get defensive, or as the old folks in the south used to say, "The guilty dog howls loudest." (For anyone with a chip on his/her shoulder about possibly being called racist or the history of racism in this country, that analogy is not about calling anyone a dog and is not exclusive to racism discussions.) I find that when people ignore blatant racism and how often racist rhetoric comes from the same neck of the woods, they're intentionally putting on blinders and earplugs.  They object moreso when examples of racism come from their own backyards. (Sorry to blend so many metaphors.)

Pushing how far we have come as though we don't still have a long way to go is a form of denial. The doctrine of otherness promoted by the McCain campaign as well as conservative talk show hosts and pundits should not be ignored or dismissed. I suggested in my post last week that it seems some people would rather rip the soul of this nation with hatespeak than lose an election. So much for putting country first.

I also think sometimes people don't know the difference between bigot and racist. Anyone can be a bigot, and yes, there are African-American bigots, Latino-American, Asian-American bigots, etc., but usually to be a true racist in this country you have to sit in the seat of American privilege or be brainwashed by people in the seat, which means you and your ancestors benefited from the oppression of another ethnic group or you don't like yourself and other people much. Kim Pearson explained racism in this context quite well ( http://www.blogher.com/racism-and-race-whats-white... ) in response to another post in which Maria was under fire as you are here.

For some reason we have white people who get what racism is about and can spot it and we have others who would rather debate til the grave whether racism is still alive and kicking in this country, much less up and screaming in this election season. I think they would prefer racism not be discussed at all, ever, as though silence makes the boogey man vanish.

Norma 156, you asked Mata for a list of conservatives who have used racist rhetoric in this election. I didn't want to post examples on Mata's positive post, and so I wrote a post of my own at WSATA. If you truly believe that Mata's fabricating information, then I recommend you read the posts, opinion pieces, and articles to which I've linked on that post ( http://bigsole.blogspot.com/2008/10/no-evidence-th... ).

Nordette ( http://blogher.org/blog/nordette ) is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link ( http://bigsole.blogspot.com ).

( http://blogher.org/blog/nordette )

I think this ( http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/opinion/26rich.h... ) is a very interesting column by Frank Rich that was published in the NYT today.

I think he makes some very good points but mostly I find some encouragement in it - we are getting past the tipping point and the failure of the GOP this year is evidence of how fed up people are with the labeling by McCain and Palin of "real" American or "Pro-American" parts of the country. I know - believe me - living in Ohio? There are plenty of racists still around.  But again, I think with the very possible election of Obama, we really truly be transcending ourselves - we'll still have an s-load of work to do - I know this.  But when people say Obama is a transformational figure, this is what they mean.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks ( http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com )

Norma, I also spoke of racism as not being unique to conservatives, or to Republicans for that matter. I have no problem repeating the fact again that conservatives are not the only people among whom racist thoughts and/or actions can be found.

However, the original issue still stands -- that religion is being used as a proxy for racism.

I am not sure what lies behind your insistence on names of people who have been racist in this election. Perhaps you could find a way to explain how that promotes dialogue?

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Yes, but you twice asserted conversatives were using the issue. To that extent, you certainly were witch hunting. Really, you should name names and not just charge "conservatives" are fanning the flames of race and/or religious hatred. Not good or moral.

Norma, racism exists among conservatives and liberals. This is not an attenpt to witch hunt. It is an attempt to keep open dialogue about racism, in particular the use of religion as a proxy for racism.

This is not a just a political issue, it is a moral one -- one that is being played out on a political stage.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Mata H--I did not call you sly and disingenuous. I called your column sly and disingenuous and if you think about it, perhaps you might see my point which also goes to your response.

In your response you say there are SOME conservatives who are attempting to play the race card.

Who? Name names, please. 

This kind of broad assertion is unacceptable. I do make the effort to understand the viewpoint of people on different ends of the political spectrum, but this kind of charge, made without backing, undermines your credibility.

I certainly don't think it's a bad thing to be concerned with racism in this country. Nor did I suggest or imply the opposite in any way. I have certainly learned from some of the posts in this forum.  However, I do think it is an editorial preoccupation which suggests to me that you and your community, meaning the people who contribute political columns, view issues through a single lens.

For all its importance, that to me is a scary thing.

I appreciate the spirit with which you read my post. Thanks again.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

The statement that this column has "inarguable platitudes plus sly and ugly assertions about the nature of conservatives." is pretty packed. Let me address that directly. I assume you refer to my comments about my faith and about inclusion rather than exclusion as platitudes. You may judge my faith or my desire for inclusive community as you will. However, I assure you that what you may have seen as a platitude is a deeply held belief for me. If there is something else I have said that you regard as a platitude, let me know what that is.

I do not see the election issues as only one of race. I do not think that you or anyone else has to vote for Obama in order to object to the racism surrounding this election. I'm not sure what you mean by referring to me "and (my) community". What community is that?

You are the first person in my life (and I am old enough to not only remember Carter, I worked for his campaign) to refer to me as "sly and disingenuous". Do not take the "Mata H" moniker so seriously, please.

You cited Heidi, the blogger I quoted as part of your accusation that the column was anti-conservative. Note that I also stated that Heidi had gone after Obama because of his response to the same issue I quoted her about -- the use of religion as a proxy for race. I, as do many other editors, use the opinions of other bloggers to display a fuller spectrum of opinion as a way to round out a basic post.

Are there a lot of us on BlogHer concerned about racism? Yes, as I look around me, among conservatives and liberals, I see a group of editors who are concerned about racism. I am of the opinion that this is a good thing. They are also concerned about many other issues. Also a good thing.

I do believe there has been some deliberate effort to play the race card by SOME conservatives. But even, as I stated, in liberal Massachusetts, racial issues are at play.

Racism in America occupies a broad spectrum -- from wide and unquestionable racist activity to subtle assumptions about "them". My post was an attempt to call it all forward in light of the move to a religious proxy for us to view and discuss. Please note my opening remark:

I am not saying that anyone voting for McCain is racist.
I am not saying that everyone voting for Obama is NOT racist.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

 Because here I thought that I'd read one of the most even-handed, thoughtful and non-judgmental articles BlogHer has produced about race and the US presidential election.  I thought Mata had done a fine job of acknowledging problem behaviors of some people without over-generalizing behaviors to groups of people.  I am of the opinion that she managed to strike a very difficult balance between fairness and unapologetic honesty, resulting in a post that was neither mean-spirited or wishy-washy.

There is a difference between seeing the election solely through the lens of race, and acknowledging how race and religion are factors in this election, and deciding to examine that more closely.  I think Mata has done the latter, and I think she did well.  Kudos and thanks to her.

Atena

Assumptions, Biases & Irrational Fantasies ( http://antibias.wordpress.com )

This is the kind of column that divides rather than unites people. It's mixed with inarguable platitudes plus sly and ugly assertions about the nature of conservatives. Then, typically of blogher, it is followed by a number of congratulatory and self-congratulatory comments.

I normally don't respond to these columns, having fired off one response resulting in being throughly beaten about the head by your readers.

However, I note that blogher has hired a "conservative" columnist who doesn't seem to understand the difference between facism and socialism. (Given your political leanings, I have to wonder whether hiring this kind of lightweight was deliberate on your part.)

So in the interest of having another voice I'll respond to what I find objectionable about your column.

Of course racism is ugly. But itis appalling for me to understand that for you and your community, this election is about race and race alone.

So we are clear about where I stand. I am an economic conservative, I fear, yes, fear, that Obama's economic policies will deepen and prolong what is going to be a very bad time for all of us. I don't fear his race. I fear his policies.

Younger women have not experienced a prolonged recession like the one we had under Jimmy Carter. And, I doubt that many members of blogher were around during the depression.

The greatest economic adversity people have experienced since the 80s are various regional or industry-specific problems: the rust belt, the oil and gas depression, the dot.com bubble. The current recession is systemic and global. So, far from seeing a "great good" from the election of Obama, the black man, as president, I see great harm resulting from the election of Obama, the inexperienced liberal politician.

But you see the election only through the lens of race. And because you and your community sees the election from only one perspective, then it is about race and race alone. (You will object to this assertion, I know, but based on the number of columns on race appearing in this forum by you and others, I think my conclusion is accurate. It might be interesting for you to go back and sort the columns by your various political editors by subject. The results might be interesting.)

Now to what I consider sly and disingenuous. You quote someone named Heidi as writing:

It is thus advantageous for conservatives in this election to
capitalize on latent and long-standing racist sentiments...

The implication of course is that conservatives deliberately appeal to the basest nature of the electorate. I really find this insulting. Moreover, you introduce the idea through a third party, attempting to give it additional weight.

I don't deny race is a factor in the election. I do deny there is some deliberate and systematic attempt by conservatives to inflame the electorate on the basis of race or religion hatred.

By adducing this kind of comment, you undermine the credibility of your entire post, offend thinking readers, and increase the divisions among us.

The fear "in the donut shop" was fed by guilt -- those guys were afraid of payback. They know, in their heart of hearts, that there is something in our history that they may need to own up to, and the only way to self-justify is to get angry at the person that brings it up, and then to distort the identity of the person.

People just need to keep talking about it -- sorting it and sifting it ..and not let it morph into hatred of "the next group that comes along".

Paulo Friere's Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1972) still has merit.

The pursuit of full humanity, however, cannot be carried out in isolation or individualism, but only in fellowship and solidarity; therefore it cannot unfold in the antagonistic relations between oppressors and oppressed. No one can be authentically human while he prevents others from being so.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Healing will come if we all keep wanting it and living into it. I hear the exhaustion, and echo it -- but (as I know you know) we cannot afford to tire now. I am hoping that Nov 5 brings us a new and better paradigm...maybe one fraught with its own perils, but at least one further along into health as a nation than we are now.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Your cool head in these times inspires me. You are right, reason goes out the window .... and then even the angels mourn.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Such a good point, Mata. I have been completely flummoxed as of late why there seem to be so many who are determined to see the worst in every situation and who take such comfort from fear, anger and decisiveness.

However, I am seeing so many who are expressing their positivity and optimism which gives me hope. Thank you for this post.

BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://www.blogher.com/blog/maria-niles )
PopConsumer ( http://consumerpop.typepad.com/popconsumer )
Beyond Help ( http://mariax.vox.com/ )

but I sure do hope some sort of healing occurs. I'm emotionally and mentally exhausted by race issues. I really am.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain ( http://queenofspainblog.com/ )

Thank you for your clarity and compassion!

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://blogher.org/blog/kim-pearson )|Professor Kim ( http://professorkim.blogspot.com/ )|

"lead to the best in us" -- excellent point!

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Holding breath here, too. I hope we can rise above this racism. I pray we can.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

cling to these base fears that don't seem to respond to reason and evidence. But it's even more scary that the people who would be our leaders exploit unreasoned fears to their own advantage rather than attempt to lead us to the best in us.

Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology Contributing Editor ( http://www.blogher.com/blog/virginia-debolt )
Web Teacher ( http://www.webteacher.ws/ )
First 50 Words ( http://first50.wordpress.com/ )

Your writing is so insightful and brilliant.

I'm in the same group you are, and holding my breath that Obama will win and some of those wonderful mind-shifts will start to happen.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )