Letters to the Editor
TRenee
Published Letters: 318
-
Hi Susan
[Read the article: Racism on the trail]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You seem to be distinguishing between covert and overt racism, saying that overt racism is more “real” and therefore less “trivial.”
I think, in many cases, overt racism seems more authentic for those who don’t experience either covert or overt racism because it’s something they can see. It’s a lot more disturbing for someone to see fire hoses trained on people rather than defending the slings and arrows thrown at, say, affirmative action. It’s a lot easier to go protest a tangible.
However, I’d argue covert racism is equally or more dangerous because it’s insidious, harder to refute and affects people normal lives more than overt racism; it’s not often that little kids throw rocks and me and call me nigger anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't experience covert racism on a daily basis. I don’t think it’s unimportant to address Geraldine Ferraro’s comments, for instance.
And yeah, it sucks to be black and campaigning for President. I think in a perfect world, Obama would’ve highlighted these attacks against his workers. As it is, it’s not and Obama would’ve been labeled as another Al Sharpton. Which is pretty ironic since the image of Sharpton the media presents is largely a caricature of the actual Sharpton.
-
sesanders
[Read the article: Racism on the trail]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Stop being so negative! Though I was born in bred in a city, I lived for six years in Iowa; four as a student and 2 as a "townie." America may not be colorblind, especially in places like 97% white Iowa, but I think we all need to give folks who live in rural areas more credit. I was continually gratified at Iowans generosity, kindness and, yes, openness to opinions and politics that differed from their own. I did, however, get a lot of flack for not knowing a hay bale when I saw it.
I think there is a reason people flock to Obama once they've seen him speak in person. Hopefully he can work that charm on people who might be turned off by his difference. I'd like to have faith in my fellow Americans.
-
Hutman
[Read the article: Racism on the trail]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Both my mom and my late granny are/were pretty awesome!
As an aside, don't take all these people that metaphorically throw rocks at your posts to heart. You offer much to the discussions here.
-
sesanders
[Read the article: Racism on the trail]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]There is indeed much to be skeptical about, but I'm determined that we shouldn't be cynical. Despite the fact that racism still exists and is widespread, race relations in this country have come a long way since the days of Jim Crow.
I think the time I lived in Iowa gave me hope that once people get past obvious cultural differences, they realize they care about the same things. It's all about having discussions without having chips on shoulders.
-
susan
[Read the article: Racism on the trail]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I truly get your point, but I still maintain that examining covert racism is just as important doing the same with ugly, obvious racism.
But the sad part is, exploring subtle racism in ways that you advocate (and I mainly agree with) is almost impossible in the media as it is today. It's all about sound bites rather than real analysis.
You're right to assert that Obama appealing to his ground workers to keep quiet about racist attacks they experienced could be a story. I think Obama is displaying savvy to ask this of his campaigners. Race is a sore subject that tends to inflame people in divisive ways. He's trying to get beyond talking about race when it serves as a distraction and turns him into "the black candidate." It's like what I was trying to get across to sesanders: It's about not being cynical. I fear if we turn cynical, we'll lose the courage to think we've gotten to be better Americans. I think it's time we got past our own fear-mongering.
Thanks for your posts.
-
Tarajane
[Read the article: She's still in it to win it]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You can't just wave Roe V. Wade in my face to secure my vote.
You and Bohica both are huge hypocrites--hoisting the feminist flag for Hillary but advocating that Roe v. Wade is expendable. This argument is getting tiresome--no one is waving Roe v. Wade in your face. We're just pointing out your hypocrisy. Is this really about women at large or just about Hillary Clinton?
-
MICKI
[Read the article: NARAL endorses Obama]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]NARAL will lose a lot of support for endorsing Obama at this juncture.
Doubtful. NARAL is about securing reproductive rights for women. Only people who didn't care about reproductive rights from the get go will be angry about this.
-
You'd better believe that NARAL will GAIN support...
[Read the article: NARAL endorses Obama]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm sending them a check tomorrow. Thanks for the nudge, MICKI!