The Republican National Committee tweeted out a picture of Rosa Parks on December 1, with the words:
Today we remember Rosa Parks? bold stand and her role in ending racism.
Well, that came as news to me, because I hadn’t realized that racism was over. Now, maybe I could give the RNC the benefit of the doubt and say that they simply misspoke. Oh, what do you know!? The RNC tweeted (about 3 hours after their initial tweet) that their first tweet should have read:
Today we remember Rosa Parks? bold stand and her role in fighting to end racism.
Okay, okay. Maybe that second tweet is more like what the RNC was actually going for and what they actually believe, but it would be easier for me to consider that these people don’t think racism has ended if they didn’t talk and behave the way that they did. For instance, their opposition to affirmative action implies that racism is over, right? They don’t want race being a factor in admissions because everyone seemingly has a level playing field. This, of course, ignores the already institutionalized affirmative action that Whites have; the innate biased towards people with things as silly as ?euro-sounding? names, being just one example. Also, the affirmative action entitled ?alumni privilege? which gives special preferences to students who have family members that have attended the school to which they are applying. This doesn’t mention how many of these schools denied people of color admittance for much of their history, subsequently denying their descendants the ability to have any type of alumni privilege at these institutions. ?These realities are too complex I suppose and aren’t explicitly labeled ?affirmative action? so maybe that’s why Republicans have no problem with this type of race-based standards. Or maybe it’s because the group for which this action is affirmatively benefiting, is Whites.
Or perhaps it’s the Republicans seemingly massive misunderstanding of racial matters in this country as a whole. Their disdain for poor people and their eagerness to cut programs like food stamps totally ignores our nation’s long history of racial discrimination which has helped get many minorities, either directly or indirectly, in the position that they are in. They do not seem to understand (or aren’t willing to admit) the role that the past plays in the present, and will play in the future; for most people aren’t poor just because they want to be, but rather because of the decades and centuries of lack of opportunities and downright discrimination plaguing their families and themselves. I am not discounting the role that individual perseverance plays in creating a good life for one’s self, but if someone has to try exponentially harder than someone else to achieve basic standards of living, are we really equal? And race causes many to have to try exponentially harder. ?I mean, people of color have atrocious statistics when it comes to health (obesity rates, heart disease, etc), education (dropout rates), income gaps, wealth gaps, incarceration rates, and on and on and on. I have said for years, that Republicans must take a stand. They have to admit that Blacks are at the bottom of almost every statistic measuring quality of life, due to one of three things:
1)??? Mostly our long history of institutional, structural, and individual racism and our tradition of discrimination,
2)??? Because they are just stupid and morally lacking,
3)??? Coincidence.
If they believe number three, there is really no need for further discussion. I think secretly, many really do believe number two. But I challenge them to go on national television, or write an op-ed, saying such vicious things. If they will not admit to number two or three, then they have to admit to number one. However, this seems nearly impossible for them.
When the RNC tweets what they initially did about Rosa Parks, I want to say the cynic in me believes they were serious and meant what they said. Then I realize, it’s not really the cynic that enables me to think such things, it’s my knowledge of their party and their ideals and verbiage, which makes it sound like they really think racism is over.
Edited/ Published by: SB
