10/21/2009

Racism charge is thrown about like a weapon no one can defend against

We don't like conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, but not because of his politics. In fact, we agree with some of what he has to say. But we don't like the way he makes money by capitalizing on anger, fear, misinformation and dismissing anyone who disagrees with him as a "liberal."

Those tables were turned on Limbaugh when he was dropped from an investment group seeking a piece of a St. Louis Rams football franchise because he was dubbed a racist.

Limbaugh might be a racist. He might not. He's obviously guilty of using poor judgment in how he says things, but that goes for virtually every show he broadcasts.

The problem here is how the "R" word is thrown about like a weapon that no one can defend against. How do people prove they are not something? It's impossible.

Critics of President Obama are too often accused of being racists, a handy term that quiets the opposition because no one wants to be seen as one.

The same goes for those who speak out against the Rev. Al Sharpton or the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Legitimate criticisms are dismissed once they are labeled as racism. It's an accusation Sharpton is quick to make despite his own verbal foibles.

He once referred to Jews as "diamond merchants," told a college audience that "White folks was in caves while we was building empires," and "We taught philosophy and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it."

To his credit, he later apologized for the remarks. Limbaugh has not apologized for his. In fact, he has accused "the media" of making up quotes. That is true in a couple of instances. But transcripts of his shows contain plenty of examples that are as inflammatory as Sharpton's words.

Are they both racists, or are they shameless self-promoters who start their mouths before putting their brains in gear?

We choose the latter, because calling someone the "R" word is too easy and too common. No matter what their heritage, let's hope Americans can move beyond this knee-jerk accusation. It serves no useful purpose.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

822-1491

tbell@salina.com

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