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Earlier this week, Reince Priebus tried to punish MSNBC with a boycott for calling out Republicans on their racism. The “boycott” lasted less than 24 hours, perhaps because a boycott would include appearing on shows hosted by their fellow Republicans Joe Scarborough, Chuck Todd and David Gregory. After all, it isn’t like Republicans are lining up for discussions with Ed Schultz, Reverend Al or Rachel Maddow.
The real question is why do Republicans seek to boycott or otherwise condemn anyone for saying what their own elected officials freely admit?
Following the great 24 hour temper tantrum, a Republican lawmaker admitted that Republicans can’t garner support among their ranks for immigration reform because their people are racists.
Here are the exact words, courtesy of Buzzfeed, in which this anonymous Republican lawmaker made that admission while explaining Republican resistance to immigration reform.
Part of it, I think — and I hate to say this, because these are my people — but I hate to say it, but it’s racial,” said the Southern Republican lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “If you go to town halls people say things like, ‘These people have different cultural customs than we do.’ And that’s code for race.
One can claim that the fact this lawmaker wanted to remain anonymous makes the quote itself questionable. Actually, it only confirms what everyone already knows. There is racism within the Republican Party, but for the purpose of public consumption there are more correct ways to admit it than others.
Republicans use racism to justify their stance on immigration reform, but also voting rights and other civil rights, not to mention social and economic policy.
It’s the wide spread racism within the Republican Party that results in vehement attacks against someone outside the big white tent who challenge Sarah Palin’s lectures to African Americans on slavery.
Since everyone knows it, this is not about Republicans wanting to keep it secret.
In part it’s about trying to downplay racism within the Republican Party by suggesting that nothing has really changed. But also there’s a “correct” way to say it. Lindsay Graham illustrates the politically correct way to admit that Republicans are racist.
“There will always be people [who have] different reasons for opposing the change. We have a history in this country of demagoguery when it comes [to immigration]. You know, ‘Irish Need Not Apply.’ There’s nothing new going on today that’s gone on before. This isn’t the first time that there’s been some ugliness around the issue of immigration,” Graham said.
Yes, the newest “other” meets with resistance and hostility because of irrational fears that turned out to be contrary to the reality. That only confirms that racism and other forms of bigotry have a long history in the United States
The key thing is bigotry in any form is based on and exploits an irrational fear of change. Today’s Republican Party is exploiting a fear of the end of white privilege and with it an exclusive hold on economic, political and social power.
That’s how we get the nonsensical rhetoric in which ridiculous terms like “reverse racism” are thrown around. That’s why those who seek to eliminate affirmative action and destroy the Voting Rights Act are so determined to portray themselves as a white, I mean wide, tent who believe that racial minorities (also women) have the same freedoms as everyone else – as long as they know their place.
Republicans are big on everyone knowing their place be it racial minorities, women, gays, the poor or Democrats.
Had Chuck Todd or Joe Scarborough sent out the “offending” tweet, would Reince have threatened to boycott MSNBC? Probably not because it’s one thing for Republicans to admit the obvious, but it’s “disrespectful” if someone outside the big white tent makes the same observation.
In the end, Republicans complain bitterly when a Democrat calls them out on their racism but when a Republican says the Republican Party is racist all you hear is crickets.
It’s not merely hypocrisy. It’s about having absolute control over thought and expression.
Image: Outside The Beltway
Former contributor.
