Racist Attacks on President Obama
Over the past few months we have seen unprecedented irrational visceral hatred of President Barack Obama exhibited through a steady stream of absurd claims about his legitimacy as President and intentional misinformation and lies about his programs and objectives orchestrated by those on the extreme right including Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck in an attempt to bring down his presidency. No President in history has faced such unwarranted and hysterical responses and such belligerent and obstructive tactics while attempting to govern in troubled times.
I have been bothered for some time about the reason behind this animosity and reluctant to admit to myself what I have begun to suspect—that racism has once again reared its ugly head in American politics—until the rude outburst from that southern redneck Congressman Joe Wilson during the President’s speech last week, confirmed by some commentators’ observations openly discussing the not-too-carefully disguised racist comments that have increased recently.
It appears that this uppity black man has provoked a backlash among southern racists who just can’t accept the fact that a black man, well-educated, well-spoken with polished manners has some real political power and has risen to the highest position in our nation, to which we can only say, “get over it—this is change we believe in.”
To right-wing Christians, we point out the obvious, that the danger of closely allying yourselves to the extreme political right in this country is that you will find yourselves on the wrong side of the race issue, on the wrong side of history, and too close to the right wing politicians to see that you are being used for immoral and unworthy political purposes.
14 Sept 2009