NPR ran a report on the upcoming Senate race here in Maryland, and discussed the issue of race and the fact that Steele is black. Some folks are saying that he's selling out his fellow African Americans by running as a Republican (I think they're right), and his mouthpiece said that was unfair. That Republicans are not in fact "racist" as a rule.
That's right - the guy claimed that Republicans are not racist. I nearly drove off the road when I heard that.
That set off a rant in my head that just won't quit, so I thought I'd start a list and see if any of you have anything to add. Let's see how many examples of Republican racist policies we can come up with...
Republicans actively oppose a raise in the minimum wage, when minorities are disproportionately represented in low-wage jobs. That's racist.
Republicans cut funding to programs like Medicaid, when minorities are disproportionatelyl represented in that program. That's racist.
Republicans cut funding to veterans programs, when minorities are disproportionately represented in our armed services. That's racist.
Republicans oppose voting rights legislation, and use dirty tricks to keep blacks in poorer (Demorcratic) neighborhoods from voting. That's racist.
Republicans push for and impose the death penalty, when minorities are disproportionately represented on death row. That's racist.
Republicans oppose sex education, birth control and abortion services, when minorities are most hurt by unplanned pregnancies. That's racist.
Republicans push for voucher programs, gutting funds for inner-city schools where many minority kids are left when the more fortunate kids get the spots in private schools. That's racist.
Republicans got cheap on building up the levees in New Orleans, leaving poorer (black) neighborhoods unprotected from storms & hurricanes. That's racist.
Republicans failed to act in the aftermath of Katrina, causing the deaths of hundreds. That's racist.
Republicans have repeatedly failed to act to stop the genocide (their words!) in Darfur. That's racist.
And that's just the public sector!
CEOs of huge corporations / grocery/hardware/department store chains won't build stores in poorer (black) neighborhoods. That's racist.
Realtors and lenders still practice red-lining when it comes to housing for minorities. That's racist.