What we are witnessing here is not merely an indictment; but rather, is proof-positive that the McCain campaign has decided to counter its desperation by injecting thinly veiled, deliberate racism into the election season.
I believe that the traditional media, from what I have seen, is missing a grand opportunity to pull the light off of the McCain campaign’s defense and denial of its deplorable actions and focus on the overwhelming public rejection of its tactical bigotry.
Frankly, I could care less about what McCain surrogates and campaign attendees have to say about it. I’m old enough now to have heard every last excuse for and denial of blatant bigotry. I’ve heard every justification for it possible, and have endured endless falsehoods that can be debunked simply by attending the first three classes of any 101 Sociology class.
What I would like to see now is the diversity of its rejection by the American people. I’d like to see and hear from folks out on the street, crowds in opposition, and leaders who have dedicated their lives to the endless cause of ending racism.
The growth of our collective ideology against hate in this country will never reveal itself inside a sound studio within the confines of an interviewer challenging the denials of a surrogate. It will never be effectively seen and further cultivated by examining rally clips and paneling the reaction. In fact, every minute introduction of racism-to-win without the introduction of its public condemnation only serves to galvanize the ignorant and infuriate the victim, whose voice is represented, but unheard.
Get out there, media. Record and account for its condemnation. Juxtapose a strong and credible opponent of bigotry with the denier. Show the anger against hatred instead of discussing a collection of angry bigots, who are now centralized within any area where both Sarah Palin and a microphone reside.
We have institutional civil rights in this country. Therefore, it is well within your duties as journalists to uphold and represent them in your reporting. The alternative is to question the legitimacy of the Constitutional rights of every single American.
Let’s get moving. Those people whose racism you are allowing to defend unchallenged have abandoned their entitlement to fairness. You need to expose the opposition to their actions beyond punditry. You need to step up on the overwhelming condemnation of this antique form of tactical racism.
It's 2008 now. It shouldn't even need saying.
EDIT: Fixed some angry spelling and grammatical errors.
UPDATE: buster graced me with a reminder of what can be done. Here's a list of contacts.
::::::