No offense to my Gay and Lesbian readers out there for this comparison, but in 2010 it appears that racist is the new gay. Before you start getting visions of Klansmen in Prada sandals and robes by International Male, let me clarify that I am talking in terms of the societal stigmas attached to these labels. In the past, many gay people kept their sexual preference hidden in the closet in order to avoid being judged…or worse. Some still do, although today’s America is a much better place in terms of acceptance of people regardless of their race or sexual orientation. Ironically, this openness has kind of turned the tables on a lot of people with racist viewpoints. Now, they are the ones who are afraid to openly express themselves for fear of condemnation from more progressive members of society.
In essence, most bigots are too bitch-assed to say how they really feel in mixed company. Some of this fear stems from the possibility of instant karma in the form of an ass whipping. However, I believe that more of it comes from being labeled as “racist.” Nobody wants to be branded as racist these days, which is why most people use little code words to get their points across.
Below is an example from the past weekend, where the panelists were discussing Desiree Rodgers stepping down from her position as White House Social Secretary.
Now this particular fellow used a whole lot of code words in this segment. “Understand their place” and “spear-carriers” being the main two questionable ones. ESPECIALLY “spear carriers.” Couldn’t he have just as easily said “worker bees” or “foot soldiers” in that instance? Instead, the guy went for the African tribesman reference when speaking of someone who just happens to be black. Since he has no problem assuming that she was asked to quit and assuming that she was seeking stardom, then I have no problem reading between the lines and assuming this man really wanted to say “F*ck that uppity black bitch! She got what she deserved.”
That roundtable panelist may not be a racist per-se, but his choice of words were treading the line of passionate tell-it-like-it-is style of commentary, and thinly-veiled flat-out racial contempt. Watch cable news any night of the week, and you’re sure to see examples of people using double-talk and code words to avoid saying something that’s truly offensive, or accidentally saying the mother of all racial slurs, the N-word.
The reason these things happen is because most of society is not willing to have honest conversations about race in America. As a result of this general populace bitchassness, people either avoid the topic altogether, or try to gracefully maneuver their words on race issues like some kind of P.R. expert or defense lawyer.
Let me illustrate this with another example: It’s similar to having a friend whom we all suspect is gay but have no actual proof of it(Possibly racist example: Minutemen patrolling the border with shotguns, Birthers, etc).
This fellow talks about the women he’s dating all the time, yet you’ve never seen him with any of them(Possibly racist example: “Some of my best friends are Black/Jewish/Gay, etc).
His words and actions leave a whole lot of clues that he probably dabbles in penis, if not fully embraces it behind closed doors(Possibly racist example: Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, insert your favorite outspoken over-the-top pundit here).
This generic ambiguously gay friend and the closet racist have a two things in common:
- They’re lying to your face.
- You’d respect them more if they would just be themselves.
The only difference is that I’d probably still be friends with ambiguously gay dude if he were to come out of his closet, whereas I’d distance myself from closet racist for fear that I may have to slap the sh*t out of him one of these days.
So there you have it: Racist is the new Gay. I know this was a pretty long rant, so if you made it this far, let me know what you think about it in the comments section.
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Spot on! It’s not PC to be a racist anymore. But they still have their (verbal) secret handshakes.
I have to agree with you, Leon. But the one thing I sorta disagree with it is that these folks are closeted bigots and/or racists. They’re just passive aggressive with it; thinly-veiling the truth, like you said, with code words. Thinking we’re too ignorant to read between the lines. They’re not THAT closeted if they’re not even TRYING to hide what they’re thinking! LOL! Or maybe they just think the demographic they’re talking about isn’t listening or watching.
Little do they know…..
I agree on the fundamental argument that being labeled a racist is far more stigmatized now as it used to be to be labeled gay or queer.
The issue I have is that then you will have to sooner or later cross the bridge of choice vs genetics. Is someone a born racist or is it a learned behavior?
Another part of the argument that I have heard from the flipside is that now that the whole of minorities are now a majority – We are the more racist ones.
This is a topic I would bring up.. possibly why no one ask me to dinner parties or social gatherings where actual conversation takes place.
“It’s not PC to be a racist anymore.”
This statement seemed to really miss the mark. It hasn’t been PC to be racist for a very long time. I hate to think this person thought it was a cool thing to be racist in their lifetime.
@ Belve, I actually meant to include the “choice vs genetics” aspect, but I kind of rushed to get this finished since I didn’t update the day before and missed it. I also wanted to talk about how a lot of racists are that way because they learned it at home and have been taught hate since birth. Next social gathering I have, I’ll be sure to invite you so there will be intellectual discourse!
@ Enig, you make a good point, but I don’t think Ms. Smart meant for that to be taken 100% literally. Either way, we all agree that racism isn’t cool. I need someone to tell that to some of the idiots who leave comments on Yahoo Sports blogs and certain YouTube videos!
@ Kindra, that’s why is bothers me. There’s nothing worse than someone making a “smartass” remark that isn’t even that smart to begin with. This is the main reason that code word B.S. irritates me as much as it does.
I trained someone about 10 years ago who told me that all black men look alike. When I gave him the side eye he never brought that back up again. I was glad it came out though since he had the confederate flag everywhere I already knew what was up, he just confirmed it that day.
Good point, You forgot the “they’re all trying to recruit the young and vulnerable to their eeeevil lifestyle” stereotype.
One key difference is that racists celebrate who they are based on an objective, legally validated form of identity, unlike the dubious, wildly subject concept of “gay.”. People who are not free to be racist are people who are not free.