Racist! Racist! Racist!

I took special note of Jimmy Carter’s reference to “the south,” in his silly racism charge against dissenting voices of President Obama’s agenda. Like Jimmy Carter, I, too, am originally from the south and have some familiarity with the face of racism. Like many people, I have personally witnessed, experienced and spoken up against it. While convenient, albeit trite, to paint the south as a “hotbed” of racism, true racism can be found, no doubt, across state and racial lines. In fact, residing in California for the past 20 years has not provided shelter from authentic racism. I have interrupted ignorant remarks by people of many different colors and cultures. Hurling the word “racist” against anyone who disagrees with a black leader obfuscates the true and explicit meaning of this word and does a huge disservice to those who have experienced the real thing. True racism is egregious and we must all learn to speak up when witnessed. But, indiscriminate use of the “racism” card against anyone who criticizes our president’s policies dilutes the word’s authentic meaning, makes more difficult the identification of true racism, and serves to muffle dissenting voices. Reducing the term “racist” to a common adjective weakens its potency. As a society, we need the full impact of this word.

As an assignments editor for a local Houston television station, a black reporter once accused me of racism. He didn’t like his assignment, which involved absolutely no racial components. He physically threatened me and called me a racist in front of witnesses. He was suspended for some short time. This reporter threw the word “racist” around with impunity, excepting the thick dossier of complaints by fellow colleagues compiled by management and the occasional reprimand or short suspension. Seems he had a bad habit of making this charge and largely went unchallenged for fear of threatened litigation. Finally, he rendered the charge meaningless through inappropriate application and gross overuse. Around the newsroom, his cry of racism regretfully became a joke. Much in the same way “Nazi” or “Hitler” is employed to describe perceived overbearing or over-reaching authority, meaningless use of the word “racist” diminishes the pain and suffering of those who have experienced genuine oppression and ultimately risks obsolescence.

When I finally began to speak up against witnessed oppression, I did so with loved ones. A dear friend described a car salesman’s bargaining method as an attempt to “Jew her down.” The only words I could find were, “That’s not right.” I was new to this speaking up thing! My approach, while hardly elegant was nevertheless effective. Elegant or not, my only goal is to speak up and to continue doing so when I witness real racism and oppression. Mr. Carter’s attempt to proscribe disagreement and foment fear of being painted a racist has, oddly, helped me to face my fears and renew my determination. I am ashamed to say I haven’t always had the courage to speak up. I am in many ways still recovering the instinctual outrage I felt as a child in the presence of racism. Speaking up in my youth meant risking the oppressor’s wrath. So, I remained silent; frightened and silent. I was not empowered to voice my dissent and had no immediate role models. But, maturity, conversion to Judaism and a drive to model the interruption of oppression for my children, finally allowed my frightened, silent, stifled voice renewed opportunity for expression. Although I feel compelled to voice my disagreement with Mr. Carter’s comments, doing so requires a certain courage. Speaking out against Jimmy Carter often elicits the same impassioned defense seen by President Obama’s supporters. Reasonable discussion quickly dissolves into an exercise in futility. Mr. Carter and those who make the “racism” charge may not intentionally intend to do so, but the end result has been the stifling of voices. I don’t want to live a life of frightened silence. But, friends and perhaps even some family members may attack my opinion and in some cases reject me altogether. But, I am weary of living with the burden of guilt and shame for not having spoken up more. So, I am speaking up now. Mr. Carter, please stop confusing people with your misguided notion of racism. I have some problems with the President’s proposals and policies, not with the pigment level of his skin. I have worked too hard to recover my voice. I will not roll over and hide from your slander. As a Jew, I am supposed to be a liberal. As a southerner, I am supposed to be a “racist”. Please. I must protest.